Authors: Mary Adair
“They can't leave me alone, can they? England always reaches back to touch me, again and again.” James finally spoke. As Panther he would not have responded so.
Dancing Cloud rubbed his chin in thought, “If they choose to attack, to raid either our warriors or the village, it will be their loss. Our might is great.”
Raven shook his head, “I doubt it would be a direct assault. They are too cowardly for that.”
The chief smiled, “I believe your assessment to be wise. Those are the type of people that deal in dishonorable death.”
Panther was looking to the door, obviously already planning and muscles tensed as if ready to run out into a fray.
“Uncle…” Raven had not addressed Panther as uncle in many years, yet now it slipped out to betray the love and respect he felt in his heart for his near-father.
Panther looked at Raven. He could clearly recognized the bond he had foolishly thought diminished. The tense warrior forced himself to relax, focusing back on those inside the lodge, “I must go to the trading post. I will be able to contact good people. We can take care of these pests.” His jaw flexed yet again, “They must have no chance to come near our home. It is my responsibility to ensure that my family, my people, are not put at risk.”
Dancing Cloud was packing his pipe, lending a calming soft smile to his two companions, “Soon, but first, let us talk of other matters, and think in truth.”
***
Raven did not see Dawn as she watched him leave the Chief’s presence and walk to the visitor’s lodge where he would be staying with his friend Derek. He stepped through the doorway, unbuttoning his shirt as he went.
Dawn figured he would be removing the ridiculous clothes he arrived in and decided to wait and give him time to dress before coming to the doorway.
Well, Derek,” She recognized Raven’s voice. “What do you think of the village so far?”
“Actually friend, I am impressed,” Derek answered. “Tell me, what did Ruth think of you taking such a long trip?” he chuckled and Dawn glanced in to see what made him laugh.
She saw Raven shrug and then continue to dress in the clothes typical for Cherokee men.
“She has been writing Nancy, you know?” Derek continued.
“No, I didn’t realize she and Nancy were keeping in touch.”
“Well, they have. Ruth told Nancy in a letter that she was sure you two would be married in a short while. That letter arrived just shortly before your letter saying you were on your way here.”
Dawn turned and ran from the lodge.
Raven turned to face his friend, “Ruth is a beautiful woman, and we do get along well, but I never asked her to marry me.” He ran a hand through his hair. “It seems we were together often. Her family is close with the grandmothers. Will is always acting the lovesick fool whenever she’s around. I just don’t know where she got the idea we would be married.”
Derek held his belly as he laughed with glee. “It has never ceased to amaze me how you never see the lovely broken hearts left in your wake. Aren’t you always telling me how you were raised to be constantly aware of all about you?” He slapped Raven on the shoulder, “Well, you missed it again.”
***
Dawn ran a short distance and then stopped. She fought to control the tears that threatened to fall from her eyes. Raven had not spoken of a female friend. If it were serious, he would have mentioned it to Panther and he would not have told her father that he wanted to stay. And he would not have told her that he was sorry he stayed away so long. Dawn could not hold back the smile that spread across her face.
Chapter Two
Raven Cloud sat in the visitor's lodge lost in thought, stripped down now so that he wore naught but the breechcloth traditionally worn in the village. Derek sat nearby, drawing in deep breaths of the rich tobacco. Both had been talking about the area's beauty and opportunity, but Raven still kept the true nature of visiting hidden from his friend. The secret seemed to stifle normal conversation, so both had fallen into a companionable silence.
Raven thought about Panther’s departure. Panther left the village just after sunrise, departing with only one brave by his side. As usual for his near-father, Red Panther seemed unconcerned about solving the problem before him, and waved off offers from others to help him. Raven Cloud offered to go, but Panther insisted his adopted son stay behind and be responsible for the protection of his family.
Raven knew this action spoke of Panther’s worry. Raven would protect the family his near-father, and he as well, loved so dearly. Protecting one's self was easy enough, you simply ran faster and struck harder than any others. To keep your beloved people safe was far more difficult.
Raven held no grudge about being directed to stay behind. Panther had given him a great honor in the request and elevated his stature within the village. He would pray to the Great Spirit each morning at the rising of the sun to give him strength to honor Panther’s request.
In fact, it would be pleasant to have time to get to know Golden Dawn again. Perhaps he would even have a chance to bond with some of the others of Chota Town. Sparrow came to mind.
As if drawn by the thought, Dawn came into the lodge laughing, “Raven Who Flies To Meet The Clouds has been requested for a great hunt!”
Raven stood quickly, eyebrows raising, “What hunt? I had not heard of one being planned!”
Another came through the doorway, Farthest Running Antelope. He stopped behind Dawn and mussed her hair, “The little golden child speaks in play.”
Raven noticed the familiar way his friend touched his little Funny Face, and how she smiled back at him. For some reason it irritated him.
“We are to be your prey and you the hunter.” Antelope’s eyes bespoke the grin he hid, “You were gone for years, so I believe Dawn intends to make up for the missed opportunities.”
Derek chuckled, and waved Raven away as his friend looked back, “Go, enjoy some time that is not full of brooding silence. Let go of some of your serious thoughts. I must get about the village anyway to trade some of my wares.”
Raven nodded as he shamed himself for begrudging Dawn her obvious friendship with Antelope. In his opinion, no one would ever be good enough for his Little Funny Face. Grudgingly, he admitted to himself that it was not his place to approve Dawn’s friends and Antelope would make a good mate for her. He would be a good protector and provider. Raven struggled to understand an unfamiliar anxiety that settled like a rock in his belly.
“All right then,” he covered his uneasiness. “A great hunt it will be.” Suddenly, he crouched down into an aggressive pose as if preparing to pounce, “Who will be my first kill?” He mimed drawing back a spear, forward hand pointing first at the other boy, “A great antelope?” Turning quickly, he took an exaggerated step toward Golden Dawn, “Or a little yellow bird?”
Dawn's brows drew down as she gave her “hunter” a challenging smile, “You think us already caught? We are yet far from being your evening supper.” She whooped, spinning on her heels and bounding through the doorway.
Antelope spun with her, glancing behind his shoulder to taunt Raven as they all began running through the village, “None can match the speed of he who Runs Far, he who is the Farthest Running Antelope. Come hunter, I will enjoy ensuring that you lose many weapons to the woods.”
Raven broke into a headlong run as soon as Dawn made for the doorway. This was a game of old, one they had all enjoyed when younger, even Dawn, though too small then to play such a rough game. He laughed when he remembered how angry she became when Panther would not agree to let her join in.
That had not stopped his little Funny Face. She simply waited till the game was not within her father’s sight and then she jumped right in, a small but sly little fox that slipped past every trap and out ran even the fastest hunter. Of course, he was always there to protect his small near-sister, and what a challenge that had always been.
Raven found himself eager to enjoy such play once more. Sprinting around a corner, a small figure darted at his legs and grabbed at his calf, sending him sprawling.
Little Sparrow rolled with agile grace away from him, “The Raven outsmarted by small birds and four hooves, have your feet grown soft?” She grinned, and then darted off after the two others.
Picking himself up, Raven Cloud gave a laughing shout, “A pleasant trick it was, for there is more game that I will roast this evening than I'd previously thought!” Now whooping himself, he chased after them again, enthralled by the return of such fond companions.
The mock-hunt drew on for hours, turning into a game that was parts hide-and-seek, tag, and wrestling. Sparrow and Dawn were captured halfway into the match, becoming willing tools of the hunter soon after. Antelope proved increasingly difficult to find, let alone capture. Others joined in the game too, choosing sides and springing traps or blocking paths for one young warrior or the other.
Raven enjoyed it, releasing his energy and emotion into the ensuing battle in a way that sword practice or English games had never provided. Only one concern kept him from being completely carefree during the event. As others joined in, he noticed a pattern in their treatment of Golden Dawn.
“Perhaps you would not have been caught so quickly if your hair did not glow!” A chuckle went up in response to a comment from a young warrior in the crowd.
“Why do you play such games as if you are a young brave? Go, corn-hair, practice tending wounds and mending leathers.”
In addition to the words of jest, some of the older boys would often jump out in front of Golden Dawn as Raven's group ran about. They would surprise the girl and try to trip her, both drawn by her developing beauty, while uncertain because of her haughty pride and golden hair.
The villagers did not taunt Little Sparrow so. They respected her as the Chief’s daughter. While it was true that the village loved and adored Red Panther, the man had proven himself time and time again. Sparrow looked as a young girl should, but Golden Dawn stood out. Panther stood out, but he had brave deeds to his name where Dawn had none. The younger generations of the village thought the blond girl a safe target and directed their teasing at her.
So it was, the first time that they tripped up Dawn, Raven had stopped and tackled one of the other warriors in response. Soon, this became part of the game. He would chase after Antelope, hot on the other's heels before someone jumped out at his near-sister. Their prey sprinted off to another hiding place while a short wrestling match took place.
Little Sparrow jumped on the back of one of these warriors as Raven wrestled him, drumming on top of the young brave's head and hooking her legs under his armpits. She succeeded in distracting him, allowing Raven Cloud to twist into a more advantageous position that provided for a quick win.
Taking off once more, the trio stopped only moments later when yet another competitor darted out from behind a lodge. Raven knew this one, Soft Spoken Hawk, a brave roughly his own age that had played well in the little war years ago. Hawk dived to tackle one of the team, but this time Golden Dawn dodged to the side and leapt on top of her assailant's back.
Raven called out, “Wrap your arm around his throat... make him go limp!”
Dawn did so, but Hawk outweighed her by too much. With little effort, he was able to buck the smaller form of the girl into the air so that she tumbled away. Her teeth clacked together as she thumped against the nearby lodge.
Hawk tackled Raven then, whooping as he did so, “I will best you this time! You have grown weak from your stay in soft clothing and thick boots.”
Raven had not liked the sound of Dawn's landing, and found it difficult to control his anger. He knew that it had not been purposeful, but he also felt the familiar devotion to protect his near-sister. The two young warriors wrestled frightfully.
Dawn had gotten to her feet, and this time she and Sparrow grabbed hold of Hawk's arms and legs. Together, all three subdued Hawk, and ran away laughing and whooping. Raven was glad of his companions' help, as he had been near to punching and kicking his opponent viciously. He found that the old anger from being an outsider still lived inside.
At the end of the game, the two young friends wrestled on the ground where they had landed after tumbling together. Raven had used Sparrow and Dawn to creep around and hunt out their prey, allowing Raven to distract his foe before tackling him. Antelope fought fiercely, but Raven had learned new techniques for hand-to-hand combat and had always been stronger than his friend. Eventually, Antelope caught in a chokehold, passed out.
Being knocked out so only lasted for moments, and soon Raven was helping the other up and all four of the friends were walking back toward the visitor's lodge. Behind them, payouts for wagers during the mock-hunt and its final battle traded hands.
“Do they always grief little sister so?” Raven addressed none of them in particular, simply voicing his curiosity on the subject aloud.
Golden Dawn stuck out her tongue, as always very willful, “I am not your little sister, Little Buffalo, do not worry for me. I take care of myself.” She stiffened her back, “I hold myself up.”
Raven chuckled, shaking his head at her use of his old name. He passed into the lodge as he patted the girl on the shoulder, “All right, all right, it is true
that you have grown much since I last saw you. Go then, and strike fear into their hearts. Let them know such fierceness as to quiet all such comments.”
Dawn did not leave at once, though Antelope and Sparrow had departed on the way back. She drew up to Raven Cloud and hugged him, peering up at his face, “I am fierce, but they will love me, not fear me. My actions will speak for me. What you see as torment, I see as testing and training. I welcome that, not fear it.” She smiled, “Also, I am glad to play with you again. You must know how I cherish my young buffalo.”
He smirked, returning the hug gently, then stepping back to put space between them, “You must stop calling me Buffalo. I go by Raven Cloud now, or at least address me as Raven Who Flies To Meet The Clouds. I am grown, and have earned new names.”
Dawn walked toward the door but turned and looked thoughtful at Raven, “Little Buffalo?”
Raven gave a hard sigh, knowing she spoke his old name without intention. “Yes, Funny Face.”
“I believe, if ever I need you, you will be there.” She spoke softly and did not look into his eyes until the sentence ended. Then her blue eyes, glistening like clear stones beneath blue waters, rose to look directly at him.
Raven could not help the chill that gently touched his arms and raised the fine hairs on his neck. “I will always be there for you, Golden Dawn. No matter how far away I may be, I will always know when you need me. No man or spirit will ever be able to keep me from you.” He noticed the tiny spark in her eye when he spoke her true name and wondered the meaning of it and the conversation.
Dawn’s voice, spoken softly, rested pleasantly about him like the lingering of a pleasant dream, “Know this, Raven Cloud. It is just that way with me as well.” Eye contact broke as she turned and it seemed as if a spell had been broken.
The girl grinned, glancing over her shoulder as she walked from the lodge, “You will always be Little Buffalo to me!”