by Adair, Mary
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!”
Chapter Three
Golden Dawn shifted closer to the carcass, peering over the remains of a deer. The days passed so quickly lately, full with exciting play and the continued duties expected of all in the tribe. She enjoyed the break in the usual pattern of daily life upon the arrival of visitors, but now things began to settle back into their regular pace.
As she worked at skinning and dressing the animal, her thoughts, as always, were filled with Raven and how glad she was to have him around again. For a time, she thought him lost to her forever. Now, her dreams were hinting that he might go away again, but he would not be lost to her. She did not want him to leave, but it was a comforting idea he would not ever truly leave her. Though she had yet to understand what the dreams really meant, she knew in her heart that it would be so.
She slid her knife into the joint of the carcass' hind-leg, skilfully removing the hoof before moving on to do the
same for the rest of them. Eying the musculature of the beast, she began cutting the skin around the base of the neck, preparing to remove it outright.
Raven rounded the corner of a lodge and paused, “New Moon said you were over here, I have come to help.” He moved next to her, pulling out his own knife. It was a long steel blade protruding from a finely carved bone hilt. It parted the tissue with obvious ease, a testament to the young man's care for his weapon. He continued Dawn's cut from the breastbone, doing so with practiced motions.
She smiled, appreciating the help, “Good day, Little Buffalo.”
His response was a roll of his eyes and a grunt before pointing at the cuts in the skin, “You take that half. I will start on the other.”
The gruff reply only added to Dawn’s amusement. The game to her was in causing him a teasing aggravation, “Fine. Good day, Raven Who Flies To Meet The Clouds.” Her tone subtly singsong as she said his name.
Raven gave a tight-lipped smile this time, then spoke in a similar singsong tone, “And good day to you, Golden Dawn Who Annoys Her Near-Brother.”
Dawn chuckled and was glad that he did as well. After all, her teasing was done in love and she knew he loved her as well. That thought gave her great pleasure. “I am not your sister, young brave.” Dawn murmured.
He did not seem to hear her, and the two continued their work in companionable silence for a time. Soon enough, they had pulled the skin completely away, and were ready to continue cutting the meat. Here they split up, Raven breaking down the deer while Dawn started cleaning the hide.
Neither of them had any problems with undertaking work, hard or otherwise. They always enjoyed a close friendship that returned easily despite the years Raven had been away. As they continued their jobs, silly jokes or idle chatter about upcoming events occasionally broke the silence.
During a lull in their talk, Dawn found herself staring past her work, her thoughts finding a focus she could resist no longer, “Do you think my father is all right?”
Raven turned to look toward the village's front gate, staring out toward the wood, “I don't believe there is anyone more capable than him.” He smiled at Dawn, “I am sure he is doing well. He has only been gone a few weeks. This business he is taking care of has brought back worries he has not had to deal with in years. It takes a while to sift through the past.”
Dawn looked up at him. His presence gave her comfort. “I know, and you are probably right. Chota Town's Red Panther is not likely to stumble unless an entire army rises up against him.”
Raven Cloud chuckled, moving to continue his work cutting up the meat, “I'll agree to that, though I'd still wager on Panther were it to come to such a battle.”
Soon enough, Golden Dawn had need to wash the hide and made her way down toward the village's creek. It did not take her long to complete the process and she was soon headed back taking one of the walkways between lodges.
Dawn rounded a corner, thoughts on her own abilities and the name she might make for herself. Talk of Red Panther often left her to wonder whether she might carry on such a legacy. She did not understand why it did not seem normal for the women here to think in such ways. It was not unheard of for a woman to join in during a battle to help her husband. She had heard stories of how her mother had saved her father.
‘I am my mother’s daughter’, she told herself. Some of the others in the village had laughed when she asked about learning to fight. ‘Mother had not laughed,’ she smiled at that thought. There had even seemed to be a hint of pride shining in her mother’s face as she struggled to hold her expression neutral.
Near one of the homes she walked past, a group of young braves played among one-another. She knew, as usual for such a group, they were practicing a mix of fighting and stick ball tactics. She had not been invited to take part in their play. “They know I would best them,” she said out loud to herself.
One of the boys suddenly leaped out from behind another structure, landing within arm’s reach in front of her. His feet slapped against the ground and he spread his arms wide, crouching down and giving a mock-roar, “Arrr-raghh!”
Having been so deep in thought at that point, Dawn could not help but jump at the sudden intrusion. The hide slipped from her fingers as she hopped back and away from the perceived threat.
The boy stood from his crouch with a laugh, back arching as he guffawed, “Too bad you are not as bright as your hair!”
Her reaction turned into anger instantly, and she struggled immensely with controlling her expression. Slowly, she crouched, picking up the skin while staring at the ground. She refused to let the village children see that they affected her, determined to be tougher and stronger than they expected. She would be as much a warrior as her mother.
Rising with only a small quiver, she gave a thin-lipped smile at the boy, “A buzzing fly must have startled me, what a pest.”
The young brave laughed again, slapping the outside of his thighs in mirth. He turned to jog back to his friends, calling to them, “She is so strange for a girl, indeed! As you said!”
Golden Dawn brushed away bits of dirt as she walked, feeling annoyed yet proud that she had maintained control. That control almost vanished as Raven stormed up toward her.
“Another one, jumping out at you with that foolish game.”
Dawn shook her head, not wanting to let him see how much it aggravated her too, “That is all it is, a game. The village children know I do not scare easily, I am a challenge.” Admittedly, this was true.
Raven stopped, staring after the boy, “They single you out.”
“Did it not make you stronger, when they did the same while you were younger?” New Moon said as she walked up. She gently pulled the girl's chin up and examined her daughter's face.
Dawn's jaw was clenched. She knew her mother felt it and relaxed her face further. Dawn knew she could not hide her hurt from her mother. New Moon could read her daughter’s every emotion just by looking into her eyes.
Moon kissed her child's cheek, “And she is stronger, too, though I do not like what the boys do.”
Dawn raised her chin slightly, glad of her mother's praise, “And I will grow as strong as you and Father.”
New Moon pulled the deer's skin away from Dawn, smiling, “Yes, I believe you shall. Your spirit is truly that of your father's union with mine. Now go, play with Little Sparrow and Farthest Running Antelope.” She glanced to Raven, “We must speak.”
***
Raven finished wrapping the meat he had carved while New Moon finished cleaning the hide. They both did their tasks in silence of a heavier breed than that shared with Golden Dawn. Moon carefully prepared the skin for storage with a solemn manner that spoke of a troubled mind.
“Your friend, he is a trader?” She finally spoke.
Raven nodded, “Yes. What would you have him do?”
Moon smiled, looking up from her work, “You move quickly to the point. These past years have matured you.”
“I really had no choice but to do just that.”
Her smile faded, “You are still our family, Raven Who Flies To Meet The Clouds. What Panther did was done with reason.”
Raven turned away, arms crossed about his chest. He stared toward the village walls, eyes focused past the points of timber. The silence grew.
“You are still rash, Little Buffalo.” New Moon looked down, finishing her task, “But what of it, perhaps it is a quality you will learn to control.” She continued as his silence went unbroken, “I would ask you to send your friend to the trading post. Perhaps he could ask around.”
Raven turned back, frowning with concern, “You still have no word from Panther? Have you dreamed?” Though angry at the older man, Panther had been the closest thing to a father Raven had ever known. Since his return to the village, his understanding of Panther had grown.
“No.” She raised a hand, stopping the young man from responding, “He is very brave, and very capable, but we had spoken about just this situ
ation. Please, simply ask him this small favor. He must return for more supplies anyway.”
Raven ran his hand over his face, through his hair, “All right. I will go...”
“I need you to stay, let him take care of this...” At his look, she glanced away, “We may need strong braves for a hunt, whether for a trail or for game. I would like it if you were here for any such hunt.”
Letting loose a sigh, Raven raised his hands in mock-defense, “It seems, that once again, I have no choice.” He nodded, “Yet, this I will do.” Stooping, he picked up the packed meat, walking away from New Moon toward Panther's hut. First, he would check on little Funny Face. Those bullies got to her more than she let on, he was sure of it.
Chapter Four
Several of the young men of the village were selected to go out on the hunt. Raven was glad to be included in the party and was looking forward to the trip. It would be a chance to show his ability to others of the village. He hoped it would also help keep his mind off of the disappearance of Red Panther.
He continued to tell himself that eventually the older man would show up. Raven was sure of it. Still, the lack of any word was cause for worry. There were cunning people of power out there, and their purpose was one of death and destruction.
There would be the required preparations to attend before the hunt. Realizing it might be a couple of days before he came back to the village, Raven wanted to spend the morning with New Moon and Golden Dawn. The mother and daughter weaved a set of baskets for the visitor's lodge. Some of the older ones were fraying and had small holes in their bottoms. It was a matter of pride for the village to have a comfortable and well-stocked visitors lodge.
Inside Panther's lodge, Raven sat and half dozed in their presence. Little Fox had developed an affection for Raven and now slept peacefully curled up against his side. Dawn and New Moon spoke quietly, careful not to disturb the peace within the abode.
Dawn’s mind swirled with questions she did not know how to ask. She was glad her mother was quizzing her. Hopefully the conversation would supply an opening for her own questions.
