by Linda Bridey
Black Fox gave Marcus a hard stare. “Silver Ghost, if you show up in camp, they will kill you.”
Marcus said, “Kill me? Do they know that you’re here?”
“Yes. I told them that I would come personally to tell you,” Black Fox said.
“Good. You tell them that I said that they have killed me already with their rejection and also my wife and children because a huge part of all of us has died with this news. Oh, and as a last courtesy, can you have someone pack up all of my belongings from my tipi and bring them here since I can’t go there? They are mine and they are nothing more than thieves if they don’t return them. You can tell them I said that, too,” Marcus said.
“I understand. I will tell them and I will have your things brought to you. I want you to know that you will never stop being my brother. He Who Runs feels the same way,” Black Fox said.
“Thank you, chief,” Marcus said coldly. “Get off my porch.”
Black Fox sighed again and rose from the chair. He looked at Marcus, but his little brother was no longer in his chair. He’d stood up and as Black Fox watched, Marcus sat the little wooden snake on the floor and stomped on it. Without another glance at Black Fox, Marcus went inside his house and slammed the door shut.
Owl looked at Marcus. “They did what? None of this is your fault,” he said. “It’s my fault. I threw my knife, not you.”
They spoke in soft tones so that they weren’t overheard.
“I know that and you know that, but I think both cultures are going crazy right now. Something needs to be done to prevent an all-out war,” Marcus said. “I just wish I could talk to them, but Black Fox said that if I go to camp, they’ll kill me.”
“You’re kidding?”
“I wish I were.”
Owl sat down heavily on his cot and looked at Marcus. “What did I do?” Then he put his head in his hands and pressed his fingers against his eyes.
Jack appeared. “I’m sorry, but time’s up.”
Both of his uncles felt bad for Jack, too. He was missing Sparrow. With all of the upheaval this was not the time for them to tell her family that they were engaged. None of the people who were friends with the Lakota tribe were allowed in the camp except Joe and that was only because he was the town leader and had official business there.
Marcus left the jail and went to the clinic. Doc was there.
“Hey, there. It’s good to see you,” Marcus said with a smile.
“You, too, son. It’s a damn shame what’s happened. I’m not upset with Owl or you for that matter. Clive was never a good person and I’m not surprised that he attacked Hannah, actually,” Doc said.
“Thank you. Your support means a lot to me,” Marcus said.
Doc nodded. “I see that you don’t have much business.”
“Yeah. We’re being boycotted,” Marcus said.
“And they’re all comin’ to me. I’ve had all kinds of people out at the house. I can’t handle it all and I’m tired of hearing everyone complain about you,” Doc said.
“I’m so sorry,” Marcus said and rubbed his tired eyes.
“It’s not your fault. I’m gonna fix it. I need you to come with me right now,” Doc said.
Marcus asked, “What are you gonna do?”
“You’ll see,” Doc said. “C’mon.”
Marcus followed the older man as he walked down the street to the gazebo in the town square. Doc marched up the steps and beckoned Marcus to join him. Then Doc started yelling, “Hey, everybody! I got something to say! C’mon and get over here. Let everyone else know. I’ll wait. Get everyone that’ll come out here!”
After fifteen minutes or so, there was a good crowd gathered.
“Now, I’ve been the town doctor for a good forty years give or take a few, and I helped deliver a lot of you. I’ve patched you up, treated all kinds of conditions and whatnot. I’ve been good to Dawson and Dawson has been good to me. Would you all agree with that?”
There were murmurs of assent throughout the crowd.
“Ok, then. This young man right beside me has done the same thing since he was about twenty years of age. None of what happened the other night has to do with him and you're all actin’ stupid in shunning him and Hannah. I’m retired folks so don’t keep comin’ to my house because he’s the town doctor now. You hear?”
One man stepped forward. “He’s the brother of that murderer in that jail!”
“What’s that got to do with anything? He’s not the one that killed Clive. Marcus has never done anything but help you all. If there’s anyone here that Marcus has ever wronged, step forward now and let’s hear it!”
There was a general shuffle among the people, but no one could honestly say that the younger doctor had been anything but kind.
“That’s what I thought. So quit being idiots and go see your doctor. Don’t take any of this out on him and Hannah. That’s all I got to say,” Doc said.
As they descended the steps, Marcus said, “Thanks, Doc. I don’t know if it’ll do any good, but thanks for trying.”
“No thanks needed, son. Well, I’ll leave you to it. I got some things to do, but I’ll see you soon,” Doc said.
Marcus smiled as he watched his mentor walk on down the street. He continued on to the clinic to tell Hannah what Doc had done.
Owl paced in his cell. He felt like he was suffocating. His nomadic spirit was chaffing from the forced confinement. If he could only have a little fresh air, it would help. Seeing Hannah would be even better. Anger at the injustice of it all surged through him and he barely avoided punching a wall.
“Sammi!” he called out. “Sammi!”
She appeared. “What are ya hollerin’ for?”
“Can I have some stuff to write with?” he asked.
“Sure. I’ll be right back,” Sammi said.
As soon as his friend had given him a tablet and pencil, Owl sat down and began to write.
Joe sat cross-legged in the council tipi. He was frustrated because the council just wouldn’t budge on their position.
“Now look, ya’ll. Owl killed a man. I know that he acted in defense of Hannah and I don’t blame him for what he did. Other people don’t see it that way. What if a white man had attacked one of your maidens? Ya’ll would be feelin’ the same way and that white man would be tried by your standards. All I’m askin’ is that you hold off doing anything until things are settled. Even after that, there doesn’t need to be any violence.”
One of the council members spoke and Black Fox translated.
“If Owl is hanged, we will strike back and that’s all there is to say about the matter,” the old man said.
Several of the council members nodded.
Joe sighed. “Look, most of you voted for me and I’ll always be grateful to you. It’s that gratitude that keeps me pleading for understanding, for you to really think all of this through. We’ve all been living in this area for some time now with no real issues. Working together, we can keep it that way. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to keep all of our people safe and happy. Can’t you meet me halfway?”
Black Fox said in Lakota, “I think that this is wise and that we should work with Joe so no blood has to spill. Owl himself has sent a message asking that we do not do anything rash. That is my position on the matter.”
White Horse spoke up, “I agree. Brown Stag was wise in bringing Silver Ghost into our family and in becoming friendly with the white people here.”
Another council member, Red Bear said, “And you see where that’s gotten us. If it had been another white man who had killed this Clive, he would be considered a hero. But because a red man killed him, Owl is a criminal. So things have really not changed as much as you thought.”
Joe challenged him with a direct stare after Black Fox translated. “You’re wrong, Red Bear. When was the last time one of you was killed by one of us?”
Red Bear was silent.
“Exactly. It’s been years, which is rare,” Joe said.
>
Red Bear came back with, “Yes, but as our two worlds are now mingling, the trouble is beginning. It was fine when we did not associate much. Silver Ghost brought all of this about.”
“Marcus? He’s always been a friend to everyone, white or red. What’s your problem with him?” Joe said. He couldn’t fathom why they would be against his friend.
“It is because of him bringing the two worlds together that this is happening,” Red Bear countered.
“Well, I think you’re wrong about that, but I can see that you’re not going to change your mind about it. It’s your loss on a lot of different levels and I hope you come to see that,” Joe said. “I’m going for now, but I’ll be back.” Joe rose to his feet and held out a hand to Black Fox. The other leader took it and looked into Joe’s eyes. Joe could read the regret in the chief’s black eyes and knew that the man was aggrieved over the situation.
Joe left and Black Fox looked after him. It if had been up to him alone, he would work with Joe, but it wasn’t. With a new resolve to fight for what he believed would be best for the tribe, he turned back to the council as the arguing began.
Chapter Twenty
Dear Hannah,
How are you feeling? I hope that you are not in pain anymore. I miss you so much. Please come see me as soon as you can. I’m so sorry about all of this. You have no idea how sorry I am. And yet, I know I did the right thing. I would never let anyone hurt you. I love you too much to let anything happen to you.
I know that people are staying away from the clinic because of your relationship with me and I’m sorry about that, too. I feel so bad for Marcus because of what our tribe has done to him and to all of our friends. I wish I could go talk to them and make them see that what they are doing is so foolish.
I miss your beautiful smile and I miss holding you. I miss making love with you. I’m going crazy in here. I feel like an animal that’s been locked in a cage or caught in a trap. I hope they decide what they’re going to do about me. Joe had a lawyer come talk to me about what he called, “my defense”. I guess that means what he’ll say in court. I don’t know. I just want it over one way or another.
Love,
Owl
Hannah finished reading Owl’s letter to her and ran out the door of the clinic. It was the end of the day and she and Marcus were finishing up a few things. She didn’t care if a couple were left undone until the next day. She had to go to Owl and wasn’t going to let anyone stop her. Her hair streamed behind her as she ran. She pounded on the door of the sheriff’s office. Sammi opened it and Hannah rushed back to the cells before Sammi or Jack could stop her.
“Owl!” she cried as she saw him sitting on his cot.
He hurried to the bars and put his hands out to her. “You’re here,” he said with a big smile.
“I couldn’t stay away anymore,” she said. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she said, “I love you and I needed to see you.”
They shared a kiss as best they could through the bars and laughed about it being a little awkward. Hannah put her arms through the bars and put them around his waist. Having him near again helped ease her pain a little, but she fervently wished that she could embrace him properly. Owl ran his hands through her silky hair and over her shoulders. Her presence brought him the familiar peace she created within him and he desperately needed it.
Sammi tried to give them as much privacy as possible while still doing her duty. As she saw the couple stand together, tears began to fill her own eyes. It wasn’t fair that they had to hug each other through bars like that. Before she changed her mind, Sammi went to the cell door and nudged Hannah aside.
She looked into Owl’s eyes and said, “If you try anything funny, I’ll have to shoot you. Do you understand? Please don’t make me do that, Owl.”
He smiled and said, “I promise you that I won’t do anything stupid.”
Knowing Owl’s hatred of dishonesty, Sammi took him at his word. She turned the key in the lock and opened the door. She motioned Hannah inside and then shut the door and locked it. Then she stepped as far away as she dare. She was able to see Jack and the front door in case someone came in.
Hannah stepped into Owl’s arms and the kiss they shared was sweet and filled with longing. Neither of them wanted to stop, but they were mindful of Sammi’s presence. As they parted, Owl pulled Hannah with him to sit on the cot. He gently caressed the side of her face where there was still some bruising and frowned.
“Does it hurt much?” he asked.
Hannah said, “Not too much now.”
“Marcus said that you had a concussion,” Owl said.
“I did, but I’m better now,” Hannah said. She lowered her voice to a whisper. “Black Fox is sending Raven to my house for information on what’s going on with you.”
Owl’s one eyebrow arched. “He is? Raven needs to be careful. If the council has forbidden contact with the people here, it would not be good if he were caught.”
His statement made her worry for Raven’s safety. “Should I tell Raven not to come anymore if I see him?”
“No. Let that be Black Fox’s decision,” Owl replied. “Just caution him again so he doesn’t get careless. He’s a smart boy and knows how to be sneaky. He’ll be all right.”
Hannah nodded. “I can’t believe they’ve disowned Marcus. He’s heartbroken over it. He hasn’t been himself.”
Owl was distressed about that subject, too. “I would have never thought that they would turn on him in that way. When his white family, well, Dean disowned him we said that it was despicable. Now we are doing the same thing.”
Hannah squeezed his hands. “Not you, Owl. And I could tell how much it hurt Black Fox. No, his brothers are still standing with him, even if the rest of the tribe isn’t.”
He smiled. “I’m glad that you can see that. Not everyone would.”
“Not everyone knows you like I do, either,” Hannah replied.
Sammi came over to the cell and said, “I’m sorry, but time’s up, Hannah.”
Owl gave Hannah a passionate kiss and then released her. “I love you. Please come back tomorrow?”
“No one’s going to keep me away,” she said fiercely. “I love you.”
Sammi opened the door and let Hannah out. Then she closed the door and locked it and moved away.
“See you tomorrow,” Hannah said.
He nodded and watched until she was gone from the cell block. Then he sat on the cot cross-legged and put his head in his hands.
Sammi and Jack were surprised when a little while after Hannah had left, Dean showed up.
“Can I talk to him?” he asked.
“Sure,” Sammi said. “You only get fifteen minutes. Sorry.”
“That’s fine. That’s about all the time I have. Joe’s called a council meeting and I don’t want to be late,” Dean said.
Sammi led Dean back to the cell block.
Owl heard, “Hey, little brother,” and couldn’t believe he was hearing right. He looked at Dean who smiled at him.
Owl stood up. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to see you. That’s what you do when your family is in jail. You go see them. Especially when they shouldn’t be in here in the first place,” Dean said.
Owl moved over to the bars and looked Dean in the eyes. “So you aren’t angry with me or blame me?”
“Nope. If that had been me in your situation, I wouldn’t have hesitated, either. Of course, I can’t throw a knife, and I don’t normally carry a gun, but I’d have done something,” Dean said.
Owl laughed. “Thank you for coming to see me. It’s good to see you.”
Dean nodded. “Yeah, you, too.”
“I’m sorry about all of this and everything that’s going on with Marcus. I can’t believe they rejected him that way,” Owl said.
Dean’s gaze sharpened and he said, “They did what?”
Owl saw Dean’s eyes begin to fill with anger. “You didn’t know? Marcus didn’t tell you? T
hey’ve thrown him off the council and forbidden him or his family from going to camp or else…”
“Or else what, Owl?” Dean asked even though he was pretty sure of the answer.
“He’ll be killed. Basically they’re treating him the same as all of the townspeople. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know he hadn’t told you,” Owl said.
Dean just nodded. “It’s not your fault. Is there anything you need?”
Owl said, “For this to end quickly.”
Dean reached through the bars and clapped him on the arm. “I’m gonna see what we can do about that.”
Owl said, “I had an idea. I want to be tried by the townspeople. I don’t want to be tried by some stranger. Is there any way to make that happen?”
“Are you sure about that?” Dean said.
“Yes. Please talk to the council about it,” Owl said. “It will go much quicker that way.”
“Ok. I’ll ask them. Anything else?”
“No. Nothing,” Owl said.
“All right, little brother. I’ll let you know what they say,” Dean said and left for the meeting.
Dean had gotten Joe aside in the few minutes before the meeting and told him what Owl wanted.
“Has anything been filed with the clerk of courts yet?” Dean asked.
“No,” Joe said. “The man just had to be visiting family in Georgia right now. It’s gonna delay things even more now. ‘'Til Owl’s case gets filed and put on the court docket, Lord only knows how long this is gonna take. Meanwhile, I’ve got a bunch of angry white people and a bunch of angry Indians to deal with. I’m tryin’ to keep everyone from killin’ each other.”
Dean said, “Good. Don’t file it yet. Owl wants to be tried by the townspeople. I think he thinks his chances for acquittal will be better with them than some judge who doesn’t know him.”
An expression of doubt settled on Joe’s face. “That’s the way he wants to do this? I don’t know, Dean. Isn’t that kind of like suicide? What if they decide to hang him? If that happens, there’s gonna be hell to pay with his tribe.”
