don’t understand. Haven’t I been obedient and respectful?”
“Yes, but—”
Though rudeness was unlike her, Caroline interrupted, “Am I being sent away because of your cousin?”
“Yes, for Two Feathers seeks to make trouble for us about you.”
His reply verified her suspicion, but evoked more questions. “What kind of trouble? Why does it matter what he says and does? You’re the chief’s son, the shaman’s grandson. Surely you have more power and respect than he does. I thought you told me a gift couldn’t be given away, and I was a gift from your brother,” she reminded him.
Cloud Chaser frowned, unsettled by the predicament and his cousin’s spitefulness and touched by her fears and pleas. “With just cause, the deed can be done. Trouble is trouble, and I cannot explain more to you.”
Caroline realized all of her hard work to learn Lakota would profit her nothing in the Cheyenne camp. Yet, since Red Wolf’s mother was white, she could communicate with her, and learn another Indian language. But how would she be viewed and received there? Here, she felt safe in Cloud Chaser’s protection and had hope for a future release. There, she didn’t know what to expect. She recalled that everything seemed fine until his walk and conversation with … “Is this exile War Eagle’s idea?”
With the hope of preventing Caroline from hating and losing respect for his younger brother, Cloud Chaser said, “Yes, but it was a necessary and wise decision, and will be good for all concerned. Soon, Lakotas will be at war with the army, with your people, with your brother. We must not have dissension among us when that bloody sun rises.”
“What will your people say and think when I’m sent away?”
“I cannot predict the words and actions of others, but I will find a good and true way to explain this deed.”
You speak, but reveal nothing! Try another path to obtain clues. “How will Two Feathers behave when he learns you refused to trade me to him but you sent me to others, and on the sly, under the cover of darkness? Won’t that look odd? Be offensive? Angering?” Please, change your mind!
“It does not matter what my cousin says, thinks, or feels. The choice is mine, and I have made it: you go to Red Wolf’s mother as her helper.”
Caroline realized he was being contradictory and befuddling. If his cousin had no importance in the matter, why and how was Two Feathers the cause of it? Even so, it was futile to argue with Cloud Chaser. Perhaps the motive was to separate her and War Eagle for some reason… Whatever the truth, she wasn’t going to be told the entirety of it, so she must resolve herself to her new fate and hope for the best. “I’ll pack my belongings and be ready to leave when your brother comes for me during the night. Before I go, I want to thank you and Dawn for being so good to me. I know it must have been hard at times since I’m considered an enemy to your band.”
“You are not our enemy, Caroline, and we will miss you and your help. If this were not necessary for harmony here, you could stay with us. Do not be afraid, for you will be safe in Red Wolf’s camp; that I swear on my honor.”
She nodded acceptance of his final statement. Regardless of the fact he had said earlier, “I cannot predict the words and actions of others,” she knew he was being sincere. Yet, her distressed mind retorted, And your brother will be safe here with me gone. Isn’t that part of the dilemma? Or have I read too much into his furtive observations of me? Besides, what could come of such a mismatched relationship? Become his “squaw,” as the soldiers called such women? Give up everything I am and know for a nomadic existence, take on such a hard and perilous life? No, it’s impossible and foolish. We’re from two different races, cultures, upbringings, religions, and more. Worst of all, our peoples are enemies and we’re heading for war.
Maybe her imagination was just running
“Yes, but—”
Though rudeness was unlike her, Caroline interrupted, “Am I being sent away because of your cousin?”
“Yes, for Two Feathers seeks to make trouble for us about you.”
His reply verified her suspicion, but evoked more questions. “What kind of trouble? Why does it matter what he says and does? You’re the chief’s son, the shaman’s grandson. Surely you have more power and respect than he does. I thought you told me a gift couldn’t be given away, and I was a gift from your brother,” she reminded him.
Cloud Chaser frowned, unsettled by the predicament and his cousin’s spitefulness and touched by her fears and pleas. “With just cause, the deed can be done. Trouble is trouble, and I cannot explain more to you.”
Caroline realized all of her hard work to learn Lakota would profit her nothing in the Cheyenne camp. Yet, since Red Wolf’s mother was white, she could communicate with her, and learn another Indian language. But how would she be viewed and received there? Here, she felt safe in Cloud Chaser’s protection and had hope for a future release. There, she didn’t know what to expect. She recalled that everything seemed fine until his walk and conversation with … “Is this exile War Eagle’s idea?”
With the hope of preventing Caroline from hating and losing respect for his younger brother, Cloud Chaser said, “Yes, but it was a necessary and wise decision, and will be good for all concerned. Soon, Lakotas will be at war with the army, with your people, with your brother. We must not have dissension among us when that bloody sun rises.”
“What will your people say and think when I’m sent away?”
“I cannot predict the words and actions of others, but I will find a good and true way to explain this deed.”
You speak, but reveal nothing! Try another path to obtain clues. “How will Two Feathers behave when he learns you refused to trade me to him but you sent me to others, and on the sly, under the cover of darkness? Won’t that look odd? Be offensive? Angering?” Please, change your mind!
“It does not matter what my cousin says, thinks, or feels. The choice is mine, and I have made it: you go to Red Wolf’s mother as her helper.”
Caroline realized he was being contradictory and befuddling. If his cousin had no importance in the matter, why and how was Two Feathers the cause of it? Even so, it was futile to argue with Cloud Chaser. Perhaps the motive was to separate her and War Eagle for some reason… Whatever the truth, she wasn’t going to be told the entirety of it, so she must resolve herself to her new fate and hope for the best. “I’ll pack my belongings and be ready to leave when your brother comes for me during the night. Before I go, I want to thank you and Dawn for being so good to me. I know it must have been hard at times since I’m considered an enemy to your band.”
“You are not our enemy, Caroline, and we will miss you and your help. If this were not necessary for harmony here, you could stay with us. Do not be afraid, for you will be safe in Red Wolf’s camp; that I swear on my honor.”
She nodded acceptance of his final statement. Regardless of the fact he had said earlier, “I cannot predict the words and actions of others,” she knew he was being sincere. Yet, her distressed mind retorted, And your brother will be safe here with me gone. Isn’t that part of the dilemma? Or have I read too much into his furtive observations of me? Besides, what could come of such a mismatched relationship? Become his “squaw,” as the soldiers called such women? Give up everything I am and know for a nomadic existence, take on such a hard and perilous life? No, it’s impossible and foolish. We’re from two different races, cultures, upbringings, religions, and more. Worst of all, our peoples are enemies and we’re heading for war.
Maybe her imagination was just running
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