by Adair, Mary
This moment was cause for celebration. However, this would be a turning point in his life because of a new journey coming his way. Already he began to accept a future where he left Chota Town. In that future, he would find his past and know his true father. More important than that, he would make sure the evil that sought to kill his near-father and Dawn would cease to exist.
He turned to follow as the war party departed to begin the final ceremonies to complete their blood cry's process.
Chapter Thirteen
The next few days were a return to the normal. Change and challenges had always been a part of the village's life, especially in the last decades. They did not let it upset their lives, working together to make the best of any situation, and moving forward despite pain and loss. This would be an eternal truth, despite the loss of one of their warriors, despite the wounds and troubles inflicted. There had been triumphs, and difficult times often brought out their greatest strengths.
Triumphs and falls alike are celebrated during the ceremonies. Dances reenacted battles and told of histories and futures. Blankets were filled with offerings to the old, orphaned, and widowed. Extravagantly prepared meals warmed hearts cooled by anger or fear. The Principal People were bound together tightly, each individual supporting another so that none stood alone or lost.
Raven did not feel as if he were one of them, in fact finding it difficult not to think of Cherokee as “them.” He thought of the colonists as “them,” thought of English as “them,” and even thought of other half-breed people as “them.” For Raven, “us” had only been family. Red Panther, New Moon, and Golden Dawn, and even Little Fox had been his, but no longer. They had not become strangers, but that bond was one of beloved friendship.
Golden Dawn alone still occupied that space in his heart that belonged only to the most beloved, and he knew he would always be there for her as well. She would always be his Little Funny Face, his little sister. Leaving her behind would be the hardest test he would ever face. Golden Dawn belonged here. She would grow and she would find her husband here. He would find someone to truly belong to as well.
Panther interrupted Raven’s inner epiphany when he clapped Raven on the shoulder. Panther sat next to him on one of the wooden benches lining the village's center field, “I would like to thank you, Raven Who Flies To Meet The Clouds. You proved very useful in providing me rescue.”
The young-man smirked a little, watching the dancers as they acted out a battle. Their movements were exaggerated, each motion repeated several times to spell out different actions and meaning. He spoke without looking to his near-father, still somewhat unsure of his place with the other, “It hardly seemed as if you needed rescue. You were already loose from your prison. You needed only to slip away into darkness when we found you.”
“Perhaps I could have done such a thing, but the men would have come after me again. They threatened to attack the village, thinking to hold all of Chota Town hostage to force me to write away my English businesses.”
“The village brave's would have killed them all, one way or another. You could have returned and led the people to destroy the enemy.”
“Again, perhaps. He Who Dances In Battle took the simpler path for us all. The Spaniards were vain, thought themselves powerful with their guns and armor. Such folly, such overconfidence, made the surprise attack too easy. Any other way, we would have lost many warriors.”
Raven finally looked toward Red Panther, trying to find approval in those startlingly blue eyes, “What would you have me do now?”
Panther's expression turned rueful, “I have spoken to Dancing Cloud, and had a long talk with New Moon. They are both very concerned for you.”
“They want to be rid of me, you mean.” Raven let out a bitter laugh, “Dancing Cloud told me himself. He thinks it wise that I leave the village.”
The older man was shaking his head, “Your words are proof enough that you do not understand. Even now, you jump to conclusions like a man attacking upon first seeing a deer. The action is aggressive and sudden, attention focused on the single moment. Yet, you make this jump without first checking your surroundings, without considering the past or future. You don't notice the mountain lion to your left, and you have not thought whether the animal's death is needed.”
“I think before I act, I plan and consider much of what is around me. Why does everyone here treat me as if I am some wild creature, untamed and untrusted?”
Panther sighed, and switched to English. “Raven, I think you've grown to be a good man. Your lessons in England have stuck, and the people of Chota Town respect your skill and bravery.”
Raven answered in the same tongue, “Despite that, they don't seem to trust me. I stand alone here, separated from others by who I am.”
Here, the other smiled, “You aren't alone because of who you are. Heck, you shouldn't even think of yourself as alone. You do separate yourself though, but I think that's because you don't accept this as where you should be.”
“I want to. I really do, but everyone treats me so much differently.” This topic haunted Raven daily, thoughts of where he belonged a constant question in his mind. Once again, anger seeped toward the idea of a father who had left him. It was hard not to blame that unknown figure.
Red Panther stared out toward the woods, watching the treetops sway beyond Chota Town's wooden walls, “We try to help you, but you can't seem to accept anything at face value. Sometimes, a cloud is just a cloud. They don't always mean that rain is near.” He stood up, gesturing toward his lodge, “Come, walk with me.”
Raven stood up, walking beside the one person in the village he felt was most likely to understand him. Panther had once been a part of another land and yet seemed fully accepted in this new one. If he could learn how James Fitzgerald accomplished that, then perhaps he could do the same thing.
As they walked, Panther shifted the conversation in an entirely different direction. He began asking Raven about school back across the ocean. The questions were almost like that of a schoolteacher. Some required thought and figures, others were simply a matter of reciting things memorized.
By the time they got to Panther's lodge, Raven was getting fed up with the sudden quiz, “What are you trying to get at with all this nonsense? What does multiplication have to do with finding my place in this village?”
Panther laughed, taking his seat in the dwelling, “That's where I wonder the most about you. Why do you continue with this insistence that you will be staying here?”
Raven fumed, “See. You are trying to get rid of me, too.”
Hands raised to placate the young brave, Panther reached forward, pulling some papers out from a leather-bound notebook. Between some of the pages were sealed messages, all bearing the seal of James Fitzgerald. He handed these to Raven, “I'm trying to give you choices.”
The other looked at the documents, not breaking the seals. They were all addressed to the current directors at Fitzgerald Shipping. Raven grimaced, “You are sending me back to England. That is not a choice.”
“I've given you two sets of letters. Two of those grant you full control over Fitzgerald Shipping, transferring most of its ownership to you in fact. I'd retain certain fees and dues, of course, but the papers of ownership will keep your leadership unquestioned.” Red Panther pointed at Raven, “You can choose that path. Or, the other two letters give control of the company over to one of my good friends in England. Either way, they won't be able to come after me anymore. The owner of Fitzgerald shipping will be present and in full control. It will no longer look like an easy mark.”
Raven searched for the words he needed. He found himself gaping. Shutting his mouth, he looked at the ground, “This is a great responsibility.”
“It is.”
“I don't know the first thing about shipping.”
“You know a bit of history, seem to be able to work figures in your head without much trouble, and have a grasp on supply and demand. You've shown that you can lea
rn and understand.”
“Is that where I belong?”
“Raven. You are the only one that can decide where it is you belong. If you stopped worrying about where you belong for a moment and just did what was needed, you'd be far happier anywhere you go.” He raised a hand at Golden Dawn as she poked her head into the lodge's doorway, “Just a moment, lass.”
Raven glanced over his shoulder, handing two of the letters back to his near-father, “I'll go to England, but not because I think that's where I belong.”
Panther raised an eyebrow, “Oh? Then why will you do it?”
Raven smirked, “I think I'll be good at it.” Then his expression faded into something more serious, “Red Panther... Uncle. You've been a good father to me, I hope you know that.”
His thoughts continued with words unspoken. Not my natural father, but maybe my real father, the father of the man I am becoming. The other reasons for going to England were, first of all, to bring security to the ones he loved here and of course for resources. Perhaps there he could hire someone to find out who had sired him.
Panther interrupted Raven's train of thought, “Getting sentimental?”
“Oh stop. I'm trying to thank you for being here for me, for helping me find my way. For being the father I needed. And now you make me your heir. Hell yes, I’m being sentimental.” Raven suddenly understood Panther had offered him a lifelong connection to the only family he knew.
Red Panther stood up, holding out a hand toward Raven Cloud. The young-man took the hand, and then the two embraced in a bear-hug. They stepped back, and found that Golden Dawn had crept into the room.
She stood next to Raven, looking at him with a frown, “Mother asked me to get you two. The meal is ready.”
Raven noticed she paused and saw the question warring with her features as she fought for control before asking the question he knew was coming.
Finally she spat out the question that terrified her, “You're leaving again?”
He nodded, smiling, “Yes, I think I've bothered Chota Town's people for long enough.”
Dawn hugged Raven tightly, grabbing him with a suddenness that made Raven grunt with surprise, “You won't be rid of me that easily, Little Buffalo.”
Returning the hug, his smile softened, “I'm sure I'll visit from time to time.”
She wiped a tear as she flashed a coy grin, “Or the other way around.”
Raven shook his head, confused, “Okay, but come on, we're missing tonight's feast.”
The three walked out, leaving behind the coals of a fire whose flames licked at their own meal. The remains of two letters glowed red before fading to the black of charcoal. The path Raven had not chosen drifted into the evening's sky as wisps of smoke.
The End
The story continues in PASSION’S PRICE.
Thank you for reading my book. As an author, I love to write beautiful stories of love and life that inspire and provide pleasure to those that read my books. To help me know if my stories are as enjoyable to read, as they are to write, I need your help. If you enjoyed any of my stories, or if you didn’t, please go to Amazon or where ever you bought RAVEN’S PASSION and leave a quick review. Your reviews, good or bad, help me to become a better writer.
Mary Adair
GLOSSERY:
Here are a few words you may have seen in Raven’s Passion.
Ani Yunwiya, The People or The Principle People.
Asi, A specially constructed for the purpose of sweating and undergoing a cleansing of mind and spirit.
Opae, War leader
Hetissu. The warrior chosen whose responsibility is to carry and protect the sacred ark of war.
we-s(a)(i) cat, cats
wa-hya OR wa-ya… wolf, wolves ...
tsu tsa ……boy
a ni tsu tsa….. group of boys.
a ge yu tsa girl.......
ah-gay-hu-ge-jah aneigehutsa …girls ...
a s ga ya …man......
i ge, i ge ya …woman....
e tsi or u-ni-tsi pronounced ooh knee chee….mother
e do da ….father
gv-ge-yu-hi …I Love You
Cherokee Clans in Passion’s Series
James Fitzgerald was adopted into this clan - Anisahoni
This is the "Blue Clan". The Anisahoni, or Blue Holly Clan, subdivisions were Panther, or Wildcat, and Bear. Historically, this clan produced many people who were able to make special medicines for the children. The medicine was made from a blue plant, which is where the clan gained its name.
Raven was adopted into this clan:
Anitsiskwa
This is the "Bird Clan". Members of the Anitsiskwa, or Bird Clan, were historically known as messengers. The subdivisions were Raven, Turtledove, and Eagle, probably in origin three separate clans later consolidated into one. Earned Eagle feathers were originally presented by the members of this clan, as they were the only ones able to collect them.
New Moon's Clan :
Aniwaya
This is the "Wolf Clan".The Aniwaya, or Wolf Clan, has been known throughout time to be the largest clan. During the time of the Peace Chief and War Chief government setting, the War Chief would come from this clan. Wolves are known as protectors. Historically, the Wolf Clan was the largest and most important among the Cherokee.
Passion's Price
A Historical Romance
By Mary Adair
Book 3 of the Passion Series
Copyright 2002 Mary Adair
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or introduced into a retrieval system or introduced into a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of author’s imagination or used fictionally.
ISBN: 1452884439
Prologue
Mid-18th Century, Cherokee village of Chota, Carolina Territory
She would make Panther understand. She had to.
New Moon stiffened and squared her shoulders before stepping through the doorway of her lodge. She watched her daughter, Golden Dawn, as she squatted beside a small fire a few feet away.
So like herself in spirit. She smiled as she remembered Dawn's birth. After many fearful hours, her tiny girl-child had come into the world with the lungs of a warrior and the golden hair and blue eyes of her father's Irish ancestry.
New Moon gazed with a saddened heart at her daughter, who was staring into the dancing flames. Dawn's beautiful blue eyes were clouded with fear and confusion. New Moon closed her eyes in dread and understanding. Though Dawn appeared white, her Cherokee spirit brought a gift of visions as strong as her mother's.
Dawn blinked and looked up. "Mother, Buffalo needs me. I will go to England."
New Moon lost her battle and her eyes filled with tears. She hurried to join Golden Dawn beside the fire. Lowering herself, she gathered her daughter into her arms and cradled her.
"You have not seen Buffalo in many years. You were just a girl when he left the village. How will you know him?"
Dawn pulled back and gazed into her mother's eyes. "I know it's been a long time, but I've seen him in my visions, Mother. I will know him, just as you knew my father."
With a sad smile, New Moon gently brushed back a golden curl from Dawn's forehead. "How do you know that this vision is from the Great Spirit?” She wiped away her own tears. "Your father and I love Buffalo, you know that, but he was asked to leave the village. I used to pray he would return and ask to prove himself, but he has not. I do not believe he ever will."
Dawn grasped her mother's hands and pressed them between her own. "I'll find him, Mother. The Great Spirit has revealed my path.” She pulled her mother's hands apart and settled herself against New Moon's breast.
New Moon
held her daughter tightly and wept. Dawn's great passion would reap great reward. But as substantial as the reward, so would be the price of her passion. New Moon sobbed softly into her daughter's golden hair.
Chapter One
Three months later—London, England
Raven sat behind his desk, elbows propped on the smooth surface. His fingers formed a steeple and his forehead rested on his thumbs. He gazed absently at the ledger before him. Ornate mahogany furniture gleamed with polish. Bookshelves on two walls held an assortment of books, ranging from classics to legal manuals. The pungent aroma of furniture polish, mysterious oriental spices from the warehouse, and the lingering sweet smell of tobacco wafted through the office.
Though aware of these things, Raven disregarded them. To him the elegant office held the chill of a tomb. The sharp crack of a pistol shot rang in his memory. "That shot was intended for me. You could have been killed," he mumbled to his friend of many years.
"But I wasn't. No one was," came the answer. William Gaylord Montgomery, Earl of Southwick, stared out the second story office window at the busy street below. "It is just as possible the arsonist and the shooter were working independently. The burning of the warehouse was aimed at you. The bullet was a stray shot fired by some scoundrel intent on making use of the confusion to help himself to some loot."
"I suppose you could be right." Raven tried to focus on the column of numbers before him, but couldn't take his mind off the other possibility, the one that had haunted his dreams the night before.
For weeks a cloud of dread hung over him. If he were back in his native village, he would call it a bad wind. But he wasn't in Chota Town and it was unlikely he would ever be again.
He shifted his shoulders as another chill raced down his spine. If the Bow Street Runner hadn't stepped in front of William when he had, the shot would have entered William's heart instead of the Runner's shoulder. Raven couldn't overlook the fact that he and William were of the same build. In the shadows of a dark alley, where the difference in their coloring couldn't be seen, they could easily be mistaken one for the other.
