Drifter – Part 2

By D

Chapter III

Litonya motioned the litter bearers to her home, knowing Takoda expected her to begin cleaning up and caring for the stranger he and Donoma had found until he arrived to take over. The young men set the travois down gently and waited for Litonya to dismiss them. She turned to see what she would need, only just restraining the gasp that wanted to escape when she realized her patient was a woman.

With a few terse words, Litonya scattered the scouts, sending them out of her home for clean hot water, bandages and her kit. She knelt at the woman’s side, smoothing back unruly curls that had worked loose from the braid the auburn hair had been fastened in. Litonya looked her over carefully, then began to remove her clothing so she could see the parts of the woman’s body that were covered. A hand on her wrist halted her movements and dark brown eyes met bright blue steadily.

“It is all right,” she soothed gently. “I am not going to hurt you. I need to see what damage has been done so I can start the healing process.”

The injured woman slowly nodded her agreement and released Litonya’s hand. Litonya smiled and patted her hand comfortingly before resuming her work. She eased the dress over the other woman’s head, wincing when she saw the cuts and bruising over her body. A call from outside the door caused her to pull a light blanket up before biding the voice to enter.

The scouts came in quickly, placing their burdens beside her and escaping. Litonya turned her attention back to the woman, looking her in the eye as she squeezed excess water from the cloth she held. “What are you called?”

“My name is Rachel,” the woman said softly, “but I am called Rae’l by most. It is easier to say.” She gave Litonya a ghost of a smile, pleased when it was returned without hesitation.

“What happened to you, Rae’l? Who did this to you?”

Rachel sighed. She supposed these people would need to know the barest essentials of her story – they deserved that much for their kindness to her now... even if it meant they threw them back out into the elements. But somehow, she didn’t think that would happen – not if the little girl Donoma was any indication of how they felt.

“My husband’s people,” she answered shortly. “We were removed from the tribe after his death.”

Litonya’s eyes widened. She knew of tribes that purged themselves of perceived impurities to their tribe and bloodlines, but she had never had any personal experience with it until now. Then she realized what Rachel had said. “Who is we?” carefully cleaning the briars from the scrapes. She wondered if they had been abused before being cast out or if the damage had been done because of the circumstances they had suffered through.

“My daughter and myself,” Rachel was answering her question. “It is complicated, and it is my daughter’s story to share as the acting head of the household.”

Litonya blinked, understanding far more than Rachel was willing to say. Only one circumstance would make a girl child the head of the family. And if that was the case, Litonya would hear the story when the girl shared it with Takoda and Odahingum.

“Very well, Rae’l... I understand. Can you tell me if these marks came from your expulsion from your village or from your travels here?”

“From our travels – I am not accustomed to such activity and Koko is still growing into her skills. I am afraid sometimes my clumsiness is faster than her reflexes,” smiling again at this woman whom she felt could be a friend to her if they were allowed to stay.

Litonya smiled back. She hoped the elders would consent to this woman and her child remaining as part of the tribe. Despite her obvious ‘white man’ heritage, Rachel had the same heart and courage that the People possessed. Litonya had the distinct impression they would make a welcome addition to the clan.

“I think it is that way for all of us,” Litonya assured Rachel as she smeared poultice across the myriad of cuts and bruises on her body before wrapping them in clean bandages. “It is part of growing up and getting older.”

“Well, I cannot comment on the growing up part – it has been a long time since I did that, but I would like to say that getting older is not always much fun.” She shifted then winced when she twisted her leg the wrong way. “This would be one of those times actually,” she admitted with a weak laugh.

Litonya nodded slowly. “I think it is broken, my friend,” laying a comforting hand on Rachel’s shoulder, appearing not to notice the injured woman’s startled gratitude. “It is going to take more than me to fix it.” A noise from outside drew their attention and Litonya’s face creased into a huge smile. “However, if my ears do not deceive me, my daughter has brought your daughter home, and that means someone who can help me with your leg should not be far behind.”

“Nahko’e,” called out a five-year-old voice. “Can we come in?”

Litonya looked at Rachel who pulled the light blanket up then nodded in her direction. “Come in, ka’eskone, and bring your new friend.”

Donoma pulled the heavy flap aside only to find it taken out of her hands by her new best friend. She smiled back at Koko who smiled in return and motioned her forward before following her in. Donoma nodded to her mother before kneeling at Rachel’s side and patting her hair.

“How are you, Rae’l?”

Rachel blinked, then realized Koko must have told the child her name at some point. She smiled, watching Donoma’s nose crinkle up when she smiled in return. “I am better, thank you.” Donoma turned to look at Koko who still hesitated in the doorway.

“See, Koko? I told you my Nahko’e would make yours all better.”

Rachel held out a hand and beckoned her daughter forward; Koko stepped away from door and took Rachel’s hand in her larger one as she knelt beside her. “I will be all right, Koko Kanti. You did a good job taking care of me.”

“But....”

“No buts, daughter. We will be safe here for however long we are allowed to stay.”

“We can make our home with these People, Nahko’e, if you so wish it. The offer has been made and already I have taken the first steps to prove myself a worthy warrior to the elders.”

“She is my new big sister, Nahko’e,” Donoma explained seriously to a surprised Litonya. “And I am her warrior advisor.”

“Oh really?” Litonya inquired straight-faced, though there was a distinct twinkle in her eye. “How did this happen?”

“Yes... we made an agreement.”

“Well then... we cannot break such a sacred bond. So what do you say to helping me prepare pallets for your hestatanemos to sleep outside tonight. That way, there will be room for your new sister and her mother to share with us until we can construct them a home of their own.”

“Do we have to?”

Litonya looked at Donoma with a frown. “You do not want to share lodging with Koko?”

“I do not want them to live somewhere else,” Donoma stated plainly. “Can we not move the boys out and keep Koko?”

Koko flushed red and Rachel wisely bit her lips to keep from laughing at the child’s uninhibited spirit. Litonya was not quite so controlling of her own reaction, though she managed to temper her astonishment over Donoma’s reaction to the newcomers. She wondered if it was because they were different as Donoma was or if it was something she felt about them beyond that.

Shaking her head, Litonya took Donoma’s hand. “No, ka’eskone. If Koko Kanti is to be a warrior in her own right, she needs her own home and fire as the rest of the warriors possess. The same will happen to your brothers as they become of an age to marry and have homes of their own. The difference for Koko is that she already has the responsibilities of a household with her mother being a widow.”

Donoma shrugged. “I guess... but I would still rather keep her.”

“I will come over every day that I can, ka’eskone. I promised you.”

“And besides,” Litonya added. “She won’t be leaving for at least a few days, Donoma. We have to build them a shelter first.”

Footsteps approached the home and then Takoda swept aside the door and stepped into the confined space. Koko stood and extended a hand to Donoma who accepted it with alacrity. “Come, ka’eskone. We will go play and leave the adults to their work.”

Takoda gave her a small nod of thanks, knowing Koko would take Donoma far enough away from their home that she would be unable to her Rachel’s cries of pain as they dealt with her leg. Already the older girl was showing signs of strength and leadership that some adults had yet to master. He turned his attention back to the injured woman, moving the blanket out-of-the-way just enough to study the damage she had wrought to her leg.

Donoma held on tightly to Koko’s hand, unwilling to let the older girl go in case she changed her mind once they reached the outlying fields where most of the children were gathered playing games. Donoma was not a stupid child and she knew Koko would probably prefer to practice warrior things with the boys her age. But for just a little while, she hoped Koko would keep her promise. Maybe for a little while, she wouldn’t be so lonely.

***********

Donoma came back from her musings to find her work completed and Koko still unresponsive. She sat back on her heels and just looked at the woman who for all her growing up years had been her whole world and her very best friend.

She smoothed the dark hair away from the planed features, wondering what had happened and how Koko had managed to let her guard down so far that she could have been hurt so badly. Donoma clearly recalled the thrashing Koko had applied to Honaw the first time they’d met and it brought a tiny smile to her face. Though Honaw had always been her favorite brother, he had become less cocky that day and more fun for the five-year–old she had been to be around and she appreciated that.

Donoma also remembered what had happened the first time Koko had been introduced to the rest of the warriors in training. It still made her mad to think about it.

************

They reached the field and Koko kept moving, knowing if she stopped the boys would all want to test her. It was always the same – you could never just defeat one. No, all of them had to be humiliated before they would accept you. And even then, if you didn’t make friends with the key players, you would still be an outcast. That, however, she felt she had taken care of with Honaw, but one never knew until it came right down to it.

Koko felt how tightly Donoma was holding onto her hand, and she squeezed back gently to assure the child she had no intention of letting go. Donoma was an anomaly as far as Koko was concerned. She had never had someone – even her mother and father – who accepted her totally without question or reservation and without expectations. Koko knew in her heart of hearts that the only reason Donoma was so totally accepting was because she was only five and Koko fully understood that acceptance would change into mere tolerance if she was lucky as Donoma grew older and more worldly wise. But for now Koko was determined to enjoy the phenomenon that being accepted for oneself was.

The noise got louder as they got closer to where the boys were and Koko was resolved to ignore it. She had made a promise to her new friend and she had no intention of breaking it.

“I do not like them,” Donoma suddenly announced as they moved away from the boys. “They never let me play with them.”

“What about the girls? Do they not let you play either?”

“Not really. I am too little.”

“And too different?” Koko asked kindly. Donoma nodded.

“How did you know?”

“Because I am too different as well. We can just be different together.” Koko smiled and her eyes twinkled. Donoma stared at her closely and she frowned in response. “What?” she growled.

“I like your eyes. They are like mine, but different. I think they are pretty.”

Koko couldn’t stop the blush and wondered where the kid got the uncanny ability to do that to her. She shook her head. “I think yours are pretty too... like the color of spring grass. Now,” changing the subject before Donoma could comment any further, “do you want to play hide and seek?”

Donoma’s brow furrowed. “Okay... how do you play?”

Koko blinked. She thought all children knew how to play hide and seek. Usually the older ones taught the younger just so they would be able to get away from them for hours on end. She wondered if there was a reason beyond her age and relatively small size that Donoma had been so sheltered. “Um... what do you usually play when you come out here?”

“I am not allowed to be away from camp by myself and Nahko’e cannot come with me very often. When she does, we look at the flowers or chase butterflies; if we are near water she will sometimes take me swimming or fishing. We collect berries when we find them.”

“What do you want to do then?”

I would like to learn how to climb a tree, but since we do not have any nearby... can we chase the butterflies? I have never been able to catch one and I would like to see one up close. I think you might be fast enough to catch one.”

Koko grinned and felt her chest swell. She wondered what she had done to merit such faith from a virtual stranger, then determined not to let her new friend down.

“Well,” she admitted, “I have never caught a butterfly, but I am certainly willing to give it a try. Come... let’s go see if we can find one.”

Donoma led the way and Koko carefully followed, always keeping the younger girl in her sights. For a while they simply ran, enjoying the sun and the wind and the tickle of the tall grass. Then Donoma stopped, realizing they had gone far enough away from the camp that all she heard was the silence.

“We have to go back,” she said sadly. “I am not supposed to wander too far away by myself.”

“But you are not by yourself, ka’eskone. You are with me... and I am a warrior. I will protect you and get you home safely to your parents.”

A snort interrupted them and Koko wasn’t surprised to find that some of the older boys had followed them. She sighed. She really didn’t want to do this again today... especially not in front of Donoma. She liked the kid despite their age difference and she could tell Donoma liked her too. Koko didn’t want to lose that because of a bunch of hormonally challenged adolescent boys. But she wasn’t going to let them bully her either.

“Who is going to protect you?” the biggest of them asked, though Koko noticed he was not as large as Honaw. “You may think you’re a warrior, but I say you need to prove it. And I do not think you can.”

Koko groaned. She had been hoping for a bit of a reprieve here in this new place, but obviously that wasn’t going to happen. “Are you challenging me, little man?” knowing the boy wouldn’t let the jibe pass unnoticed. Koko figured if she had to establish dominance here, she might as well get it over with at the beginning. She looked at Donoma – she had finally found a friend... she didn’t want to lose her.

Keezheekoni was furious. No one spoke to him that way – not even Honaw, and Honaw was their acknowledged champion. “How dare you! Prepare to defend yourself!” But Koko merely shook her head.

“Not here and not now,” she proclaimed with a significant glance in Donoma’s direction. He nodded, knowing well that neither his father the chieftain nor the shaman Takoda would tolerate such behavior in front of the small child. She would never understand the many mandates that were in place for her benefit alone. “If you want to challenge me, you will do so in camp in front of witnesses.”

“Very well... be ready then, for I will issue my challenge as soon as you arrive.”

Koko smiled. “I will be waiting for you, little man.” Then she took Donoma’s hand in hers and together they headed back towards the encampment. The boys watched them out of sight, then he and Honaw walked away from the others to speak privately.

“You should not have challenged her, Keez. She will defeat you.”

“Have you no faith in me, my friend?”

Honaw shook his head. “Not this time, Keezheekoni. She defeated me with ease - and I can defeat you. What do you think she will do?” A beat. “And I must stand with her in this fight... I have given my word to her and to Donoma in front of our fathers.”

Keezheekoni’s eyes blazed hot with rage for a long moment before the fire petered out. “If she defeats me as easily as you say she will, we will accept her and make her one of us. Our enemies will never expect such cunning.” He sighed. “Come, let me get this humiliation over with quickly. I do not think I will live this down for many moons.”

Honaw grinned. “I think it depends on how you behave after the defeat, Keez. If you do embrace her, the rest of the warrior caste will be forced to reckon with her as well. I think she could teach us much.”

Keezheekoni stopped walking. “Honaw, regardless of her ability to defeat me or even you, Odahingum will not put her in charge of training. She is not yet a warrior and has much to learn herself.”

“Perhaps,” the other boy agreed, “but that does not stop us from asking her to teach us.” Keezheekoni looked at him skeptically and Honaw patted him on the back. “Trust me, my brother. You will understand much better shortly.”

Keezheekoni groaned and he led the group of grinning boys back toward the encampment. They were looking forward to the upcoming altercation. Keezheekoni simply felt dread.

************

Keezheekoni approached Takoda’s campfire and Odahingum covered his mouth to keep from shouting his laughter, though he couldn’t stop his shoulders from shaking. Honaw and Takoda looked at him in bemusement, wondering what he found funny about the current situation. Then they realized what had prompted his reaction and they couldn’t help but exchange smiles of their own. They all remembered well the events of that fateful evening.

Takoda motioned Keezheekoni to take a seat beside Honaw and Keezheekoni shook his head wryly, knowing exactly what had prompted the looks. He let his mind wander back to the challenge that had given Koko Kanti her status as a warrior in their clan – the youngest to ever accomplish such a feat.

Chapter IV

Koko and Donoma walked sedately back to the camp, though Koko was seething beneath her calm exterior. She knew this would happen but she was hoping there would be a little respite before it did. She shrugged her mental shoulders – oh well, at least getting it over this quickly she would know what sort of place she and her mother would have in this community. Koko looked down at Donoma.

“See, ka’eskone. I told you that you would be safe with me. Let us find your Nahko’e, Donoma, then I have a challenge to fight.”

Donoma clutched Koko’s hand tightly. “I must remain by your side. It is my right as your warrior advisor.” Her demeanor was so serious - Koko struggled to maintain a stoic expression. She had no desire to hurt Donoma’s feelings by laughing.

“I do not think your Nahko’e or your Neho’e will allow you to be a witness to the contest, ka’eskone. I believe they desire to protect you.” Donoma frowned fiercely and Koko couldn’t keep the grin from her face. “We will ask. After all, you are my warrior advisor.”

That got a grin so big from Donoma, Takoda wondered as they approached him what on earth had happened to the quiet, introspective child he had known since she’d become his daughter. What was it about this new woman-child that Donoma related with so closely? Then they walked to his fire and he gestured them to join him.

“Rae’l will recover but it will take some time.”

Koko nodded. “Good... thank you.” A beat. “I have been challenged and Donoma has requested to remain by my side. It is her right as my advisor.”

Takoda shook his head – things were happening so rapidly his head was spinning. He never would have imagined when Donoma screamed so fitfully this morning that his world would be so completely turned upside down before darkness fell. “She is a child, Koko Kanti....”

“And we have made a pact... an agreement between the two of us. Do you mean to say that it has no value?”

“No,” Takoda protested, wondering how he was being bested by an almost warrior female child and his five-year-old daughter. Life had not been this difficult yesterday. He rubbed a hand over his brow and sighed. “Of course it has value. I just....”

“Koko Kanti!” Keezheekoni bellowed across the encampment. The warriors all rose from their places around their campfires, smiles firmly in place at the entertainment that was obviously coming. It hadn’t been so long since the last challenge – Honaw and Keezheekoni for the title of class champion – and they rarely happened for any other reasons in the novice classes, so this was an unexpected treat.

Koko sauntered out to the middle area where Keezheekoni could clearly see her, but before he could speak again, Donoma stepped up beside her. He laughed. “You feel the need to hide behind small children in order to fight a challenge against me?”

Donoma growled and Koko gave her a long, reassuring glance before she turned back to Keez and gifted him with a searing look. “You bellowed?” she asked with a smirk, causing a ripple of laughter to run around the encampment.

Keezheekoni’s face grew red. He was already fairly certain from what Honaw had told him that he was going to lose this contest, and he could accept defeat from a better warrior. But to lose face was another matter altogether. She was still untried as far as he and most of his equals were concerned and she had no right to humiliate him in front of the warriors. He started to speak, but she held up a hand and he hesitated.

“Before you get angry, little man, perhaps you should be aware that you insulted my warrior advisor.” Eyes widened around the encampment – only the chieftain rated his own warrior advisor in the form of the shaman. It was unheard of for a warrior to form a bond like that with a child... and especially *this* child. Takoda had insisted on protecting her from so much – even before he had learned of her abilities. They could not believe that he would allow such a thing.

When he recovered enough to speak again, Keezheekoni offered Donoma a slight bow. “My apologies, Donoma Chepi. I did not understand your position here.” She nodded her head in acceptance of his apology and he turned back to Koko. “You claimed the status of a warrior – that is something that must be proven out to those of us here who are earning that title as well as those who have already succeeded. Do you have anyone to stand with you?”

Honaw spoke up. “I will stand with Koko Kanti. She has defeated me in fair combat and I gave my word to protect her back at the cost of my own life.”

Gasps went around the camp. There was a no more serious vow that one warrior could make to another, and to have the class champion admit defeat at the hands of the one being challenged....

“Very well,” Keezheekoni acknowledged. “Then form the circle and let the challenge begin.”

“Wait,” Takoda called as the circle closed in. “The object is not to hurt, maim or kill – but the fight will continue until one of you yields victory. Understood?” Both opponents nodded their agreement to the terms and Takoda clapped his hands together. “Very well,” he concurred, stepping back into the ring of warriors and waiting for the two to thrash things out between them.

Koko knelt down to Donoma and looked in her eyes. Donoma took the larger hands in hers. “You will succeed, Koko Kanti,” the young seer assured her older friend. “And then your place here will be secure.” Koko leaned forward and brushed a kiss over Donoma’s forehead before standing. She looked at Honaw who was waiting patiently.

“He is weak on his left side, Koko, and he is not above trickery and deceit. It is one thing that makes him as good as he is; he knows how to use it to his benefit. Watch that he does not take advantage unfairly – he tried to blind me with sand during our bout. A fair trick for a warrior in battle; not an action appreciated by any warrior who encounters it.”

Koko nodded then turned to face her new nemesis, crossing her arms and waiting for Keezheekoni to make the first move. It was then that Honaw recognized her tactic – she waited for the other warrior to attack. He wondered where she had been schooled in such a method. It was generally thought best to attack first and defeat your enemy before he was able to do harm to you. Then he heard her taunt Keezheekoni and realized she was making him careless in his rage, just as she had done to Honaw himself earlier.

There were bets going round the circle, and those that had been with Odahingum’s group earlier were betting solidly on Koko Kanti. The rest were betting heavily on Keezheekoni, certain no mere female could defeat even their second best warrior-in-training.

Keezheekoni screamed in fury and Honaw wondered what insult Koko had used to invite such fury in the moments it had taken him to place his bet on her. Then Keez rushed towards her and she stepped to one side and extended her arm and the youth dropped to the ground choking and gagging.

Furious at her easy defeat of the chief’s eldest son, an older warrior stepped into the ring, eager to show her the place he felt she deserved. He pulled a bone blade and descended on her; she unsheathed her steel blade and he hesitated... long enough for her to swipe it across his chest and draw blood. He looked at her in astonishment – none of the trainees had ever been able to lay a weapon on him... much less draw blood. He nodded in approval and stepped back into the circle.

Meanwhile, Keezheekoni had recovered enough to stand and jumped on her back, not realizing she would use his own weight against him and simply allow him to pull her over so she landed on top of him. The air whoosed out of his lungs and she turned to pin him to the ground. Keez grasped a handful of sand... only to find all her bodyweight resting on his wrists where her knees held him tightly in place.

“Yield to me,” she said firmly. He glared at her defiantly and she raised her blade to his throat. Brown eyes widened in shock when he realized she carried steel and not the typical bone knife of his people. “Yield,” she growled again.

Keezheekoni released the sand clenched in his fist and nodded his head, lowering his eyes as a sign of respect. Koko nodded and sighed, sliding off his wrists and standing before extending her hand down to him to help him stand. Keez hesitated, then accepted the gesture with a wry smile. It had played out just as Honaw had predicted. He hoped she would be willing to teach them; even the older warriors could learn from her.

Keezheekoni held her gaze and spoke loudly enough to be heard by the gathered crowd. “Let it be known that Koko Kanti has defeated me in fair combat. We will be blood brothers and will protect one another in battle. I welcome her into the tribe as one of our own.”

Despite whatever other misgivings Honaw had about Keezheekoni’s ability to lead, it was the capacity to acknowledge the bigger picture once he had seen it that convinced Honaw that one day, Keezheekoni would make a fine chief. There weren’t many his age that would and in fact Honaw could hear rumblings from several of his comrades who didn’t understand Keez’s immediate acceptance of Koko. In time they would, but for now, only the older warriors appreciated Keezheekoni’s actions.

Odahingum stepped up beside his son and wrapped an arm around shoulders that were still developing. “I believe you have made a wise decision, my son.” He extended his free hand to Koko in warrior greeting, smiling when she accepted it without hesitation. “Welcome to our family, Koko Kanti, as a friend, warrior and ally. We are happy to have you and Rae’l as members of our clan.”

“Thank you for welcoming us, Chief Odahingum. We look forward to becoming contributing members of our new family and our community.”

With her acceptance, a cheer rose from the surrounding warriors and Koko smiled her first full smile, prompting many of the young men to give her a second long look full of interest of another kind. Odahingum sighed; Takoda had told him of Koko’s earlier comments on mating. Given the skill the girl already had, it shouldn’t be too difficult to make the young warriors understand her position on the subject. He sighed again – it didn’t mean it was going to be a fun prospect though.

Odahingum dropped Koko’s hand and Donoma jumped into her arms before any of the men could even make a move to congratulate her and welcome her to the tribe. She threw her slender arms around Koko’s neck and hugged her tightly. “I told you that you would succeed, Koko.”

Koko hugged the small child back gently, surrounded by the warmth and acceptance Donoma offered her unquestioningly. “You did indeed, ka’eskone. You are going to be a very powerful ally for this warrior. Thank you for your guidance.”

Donoma smiled and the crowd around the two smiled indulgently. When Donoma smiled, things seemed to go better for the tribe as a whole, and with the addition of Koko Kanti to their warriors-in-training, things were looking even better.

At Odahingum’s urging, everyone headed back to their campfires, eager to talk about all that had happened that day and the things they had just seen and heard. The chief, his sons, the shaman and his sons followed Donoma who was still being carried in Koko’s arms back to their respective fires next to one another.

The boys were met by their mothers and sent off to clean up while Litonya led Koko and Donoma into the dwelling where Rachel was resting comfortably. Koko set Donoma on her feet then crossed the small space and knelt at her mother’s side. She reached for Rachel’s hand and was glad to see bright blue eyes flutter open.

“Hello, Nahko’e. How are you feeling?”

Rachel smiled weakly. “I have been better, Koko, but I have certainly been worse. Litonya has taken very good care of me and I think we will be good friends when I am able to be up and out from underfoot.” She squeezed the hand holding hers. “How did you do?” able to recognize the signs of a fight even if Litonya had not shared news of the challenge.

“She won!” Donoma exclaimed excitedly, running from her place by Litonya in the doorway. “She beat Keezheekoni fair and square... just like I said she would.” Koko wrapped an arm around Donoma’s shoulders. Rachel smiled at the pair of them.

“We have a place here, Nahko’e. We have been welcomed as friends and allies.”

“And warriors?” Koko smiled.

“And warriors, though I still need to speak with the chief about what that will entail. But for now I have earned us a place here, Nahko’e. We can settle with this clan and be safe among friends.”

“Good, Koko... I am so proud of you. Thank you for taking such good care of both of us.” Rachel’s eyes slid closed and Litonya crossed to her side.

“She needs to sleep. Today has been long and difficult and tomorrow will be much the same. She will heal, but it will be slow – things will be difficult for her for some time to come. Now come... you both need nourishment before you settle into bed tonight. It has been a very long day already and I do not think tomorrow will be any better in that regard.”

Litonya led them both back out to the fire and Takoda gestured Koko to the place of honor. Donoma clutched her hand tightly and was seated next to her for the sake of peace. Honaw took Takoda’s other side and his three brothers sat next to him in birth order. Litonya served out the meal, then sat next to Donoma to eat her own as Takoda and Koko talked.

“You have been well-trained already in the ways of a warrior, Koko Kanti,” Takoda offered seriously. “Yet your skills and thinking are much different than ours. Who was your teacher?”

Koko let her spoon drop back into the bowl she held in her hand and looked directly at Takoda to gauge the earnestness of his speech. Satisfied, she nodded her head and returned her attention to her food, taking a bite and chewing slowly as she considered the best way to answer his question. Finally, simple honesty won out. They would need to know most of the story eventually.

“My Neho’e taught me from the time I was old enough to learn.”

“So you’ve been training for three seasons? Maybe five?

“I have been training for almost nine full cycles. It will be nine next season.”

“And you will be...?”

“I will be thirteen cycles.”

Takoda was hard pressed to keep a stoic face in place at her announcement, but he managed to do little more than raise an eyebrow. Koko grinned. She knew he wasn’t expecting that answer from her. Honaw chuckled as soon as he was able to stop his jaw from hanging loose.

“Are you serious?” he asked after a moment, a wide grin splitting his face.

“Yes... I am a warrior-in-training; we are not allowed to express humor.” Her delivery and expression were so deadpan, it took everyone by surprise for a moment and her pronouncement was met with dead silence. Then Donoma chirped out, “Koko, you are very funny.”

Koko’s expression became chagrined and she shook her head and gave a wry smile. Everyone around the circle shared a good laugh, including Donoma, though she really had no idea why she was laughing other than everyone else was. After a moment, they settled down again and Takoda took back control of the conversation.

“I wondered how I had missed your age so badly, but it seems that you have been training since you were a ka’eskone even younger than Donoma Chepi. Your Neho’e must have been a very great warrior to have taught you so much so young. Who was he?”

Koko sighed. “Honiahaka was my Neho’e. He taught me many things before he died.”

Eyes widened around the circle. All of them had heard of Honiahaka; he was a legendary fighter against the Blue Coats out here on the Plains.

Takoda smiled gently. He understood so much more about Koko now than he had this morning – was it only this morning? - he asked himself again before turning his attention back to the young warrior sitting at his fire. So many more things made sense. But the new knowledge also brought more questions to his mind. What had happened to Honiahaka? And why had his family been dishonored as they had been? Even for the sake of purity within the tribe, a warrior’s family had certain rights.

But, he decided firmly, all his questions could wait for another day. Donoma had fallen asleep against Koko’s arm and even his sons were showing signs of fatigue. He motioned to Litonya who accepted his bowl and removed Koko’s from her hands and then Donoma’s. With a smile of dismissal, Takoda waved her towards the tent, indicating he would settle the boys by the fire and stay with them. It would not be seemly for him to stay in his tent tonight, especially after he had learned Koko’s true age.

“We will talk more tomorrow, Koko Kanti,” he assured her. “But now it is time for everyone to get some sleep. It has been a very exciting day.” He reached down to remove Donoma’s grip from Koko’s arm, but found the child resisted fiercely, a frown marring her otherwise peaceful visage. He looked at Koko in consternation and she shrugged, then lifted the child into her arms.

“You seemed to have acquired a new charge, Koko Kanti.”

“I seem to have acquired a friend, Takoda. Good night.”

“Good night, my young warrior friend. May the Spirits guide your dreams.”

************

Koko Kanti thrashed restlessly on the pallet she was laying on and Donoma Chepi checked her brow in concern. The warrior’s fever was rising already and to Donoma, that meant nothing good. She stepped to the doorway and motioned to her brother Honaw. Of all the warriors in the camp, Honaw was the one Koko had trusted the most. She would not mind as much if he saw her in her weakened state.

Everyone around the fire rose when she motioned, but Donoma shook her head, asking only for Honaw. The rest watched as he went in and exited almost immediately carrying Koko in his strong arms. Donoma walked out beside him and they headed towards the small creek the camp was set next to.

Before they could resume their seats, the second of Takoda’s sons walked briskly back into camp loaded down under the possessions he had removed from Koko’s horse. The saddle was still bloody, but everything else was neatly packed away in her saddle bags. Even her rifle was still in its sheath and her holstered pistols were draped around it. He waited for his father to motion and then took them into the dwelling where Koko had so recently been, placing them gently in a stack in the back. Then he went back out to the fire to join the rest in their vigil.

Odahingum and Takoda exchanged glances and the chieftain shook his head. “I do not think she came home to mate, my friend. I think she came home to die.”

Part 3

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