Storiesonline.net ------- Tom's Adventures by T-Rix Copyright© 2007 by T-Rix ------- Description: Tom is your typical young teenager, in the year 1839. His family is starting a journey out west, to take advantage of the free land. These are his adventures, and they are not what anybody expected. Story Completed - check the blog for details. **Warning** - Chapter numbers have changed. Codes: MF mf Mf ff Ff Mult cons rom non-con rape coer slave les bi het hist inc mother bro sis dau D/S rough BD lght humil harem poly 1st oral anal mastrb pett violent ------- ------- Cast of Characters (For those of you, like me, who have a hard time keeping up with who's on first) Straight Arrow - Burtrum (Burt) Huggins Little Knife – Hunter Morning Bird – Trader (Spy) Fighting Hawk – Tom Sherman Storm Cloud - John Wheeler - Warrior Stalking Wolf – Ben Smith - Warrior Little Fox – Luke Johnson- Blacksmith Night Owl – Robert Cummings- Farmer Walking Buffalo – Peter Blane – Carpenter Wong Su Tzu – Li's mother and leader of the Wong Su Clan Wong Su Li – (Lee) – General fixit man for Wong Su Clan (Second in command) Wong Su Wing – Pipe artist for Wong Su Clan Ho Min Fong – Leader of the Ho Min Clan Ho Min Wei – (Way) – Tom's concubine – cook Ho Min Chu – Grandson to Ho Min Fong – Best fighter of the Ho Min Clan Pong Shu Chin – Cook for the Ho Min Clan restaurant Ping Wong Mei – (May) - Tom's younger concubine Ping Wong Su – (Sue) - Tom's older concubine Ho Min Wei – (Way) – Tom's concubine – cook Hong Shu Ming – John's concubines (Twins) Hong Shu Ping – John's concubines (Twins) Frieda – Cook (Shares a room with Wei) Becky – Maid (Shares a room with Jenn – and Jess) Jenn – Maid (Shares a room with Becky – and Jess) Jess – Kitchen help (Younger sister to Jenn) Pat – Stable hand (Younger brother to Jenn) Willard – Major Domo James – New Butler Vanessa Delante – Don Carrone's daughter Janet Thurston Sherman – Tom's wife Victoria Thurston – Janet's sister Randolph Thurston – Janet's brother Ed Stark – Gambler in Dearing Jacob Fenning – Associate of Ed Stark ------- Prologue Notice: The setting of this story begins in 1839. Where I have researched the location, time frame and other incidents, this is not a history text. This is a fictional story. These events did not take place (that I am aware of). Please accept this as it was intended, to entertain, not to educate. If some blatant error offends you, then please ignore it. I do not need to be advised that it exist, since I seriously doubt that I will go back and fix it. If it makes the history professor in all of us upset, please consider this story existing in an alternate dimension, or in an alternate time line. Please accept events as they are presented, and enjoy the story, not sit and try to find things to complain about. Remember: this is entertainment. It isn't real and I doubt that it will corrupt the truth of what really happened. Namely; the white man fucked the Indians and made it all look justified in the history books. Copyright Notice: This work is copyrighted. Please respect the copyright, by not posting this work on any other site. This work is freely given for your enjoyment, and can be used, and downloaded for that purpose. I ask that you treat it in the same respect that it is made available to you. P.S.: Where imitation is considered the highest form of flattery, plagiarism is not. ------- Chapter 1: The Move West Thomas Sherman had come from Virginia in 1839. The lure of free land had been strong. He remembered his father getting cheated out of his share of the crop that year, and it started the family moving west. He had thought it was a great adventure, like the stories in the books that he had. He had been lucky that old Mr. Rogers had taught him to read, and had even given him books of his own. He had almost twelve books. To actually own any book, besides the bible, was a testament to your wealth. He had been very proud of his books, and never missed a chance to show them off. Only eleven years old, and already he owned eleven books, and Mr. Rogers had said that if he could finish the book that he had loaned him, then he would give it to Tom as a going away present. Tom had been proud of himself when he told Mr. Rogers that he had finished the book. Mr. Rogers just smiled and said that he knew that he would finish it. Then he watched as Tom climbed into the wagon that was heading west. He still remembered Mr. Rogers waving to them, and telling them to take care of each other. It was almost five months before they reached Independence, Missouri. The winter months made moving slow and cold. There they had to wait almost another month, before they could join another wagon train heading west, toward opportunity and free land. Tom listened to the discussion of the two different routes; the mountain route and the prairie route. The mountain route would take longer, but they would have a better opportunity for water and plenty of grass for the animals. The prairie route was more direct and easier travel, but lack of water or grass would be fatal. Tom listened as his father quickly decided on the Mountain Route. Every night in the camps Tom heard the loud talking, and bragging about the great opportunities. He listened again to what everyone would do, once they reached California. Tom thought that it had such a magical sound to it. They sang songs, and drank from an old jug. The children played games, and the women sat and gossiped. Tom saw only the wonder in it all. He was at the awkward age of eleven. Not a man and not a boy. The grown-ups didn't want him with them, and the kids didn't either. The young girls smiled a lot and Tom found himself captivated by their budding forms. Even though he still didn't know what he wanted to do with them, he knew that they looked wonderful. All of his books talked about love and adventure. He was living the adventure, and he was sure that he would find love. The older boys taught him about fear, when they caught him 'making eyes' at Sally Perkins. She was the most beautiful girl in the camps. She was almost fifteen, and every boy in the camps wanted her to be his bride. She was seeing them all after dinner, and everyone knew that before this trip was over Sally would be a wife. But Sally was determined to take her time and pick the best man. She never gave anyone the idea that he was any more special, then the others. Everybody knew it, but still there were a few that didn't like any competition, even from a young boy. Tom had asked Sally for a walk three times that week. They talked about his books, and he even brought one along to read to her. She was impressed that Tom was educated; most of the young men couldn't even write their own name. Billy Wilson was fifteen and as solid as a tree trunk. He had spent his life in the fields and behind a plow. He was also one of those young men, but he showed Tom that he didn't have to know how to read, or write to turn his face into a bloody pulp. Sally watched the exchange and didn't interfere, but when it was over she went away with Billy Wilson. Tom learned that the strong men got the pretty women, and the weak men got everything taken from them. He had learned that lesson very well, and didn't think that he would soon forget it. He was surprised when his father and mother returned that night, and his father made a comment about the fight. Tom knew that there wasn't anybody that would have called it a fight, it was a simple beating, but the word had spread all over the camps. Billy Wilson was strutting around the camps, letting everybody know that Sally Perkins was his girl and Sally was not denying it. Tom still remembered when his father said, "Well boy, I guess that now you know just what good all book learning is. When a man wants something, he takes it. If you ain't strong enough to fight for it, then you don't deserve to have it." The anger in Tom flared up and even before he knew what he was saying the words had left his mouth. "You mean just like your crops?" Tom found himself back on the ground again that night, with his ears ringing and little pinpoints of light across his vision. As his vision cleared he saw his father standing over him, the rage clear on his face. He knew that he had crossed a line that he could never step back over. He watched as his mother pulled him into the wagon, giving Tom a look over her shoulder that said that he was on his own. He understood. His father rarely listened to his mother. She was the one that had encouraged his education, saying that strong men make the world, but educated men run it. He wasn't so sure about that any more. He still remembered that as he crawled into his blankets under the wagon that night, he had a smile on his face. It hurt to smile, but he didn't care. He thought about the quotes of wisdom that Mr. Rogers had taught him, and it came to him, 'misery loves company.' He had never understood that, at least until tonight. Tonight his misery had company. He was sure that he would pay a price, but he felt good now. As he lay there, the sounds of his father's grunts and groans, mixed with his mother's little squeaks told him that she was doing her best to drain the anger from him. Yes, you don't live for five months in a wagon without seeing the act. His father often made sure that Tom got a full showing of his manly abilities, much to the shame of his mother. It was just another way to show his son that he was the only one in charge of their family. Since the first time, she pretended that Tom didn't exist when his father demanded sex. He thought about the time that his mother blushed when she looked at him; it had been the following morning, after she had spent the better part of an hour on her knees sucking his father as he grinned at Tom the whole time. As Tom lay under the wagon, he grinned as he realized that his father was big and strong, and he was also stupid. If he couldn't beat it with his fists, then he was useless. Tom vowed he would be smart. It wouldn't hurt to be strong, but he would still be smart. Then he slipped into sleep. By the time that the wagon train started west, Tom's face was healing nicely, but there were still a few tinges of yellowish purple left in a few places. Every time anyone looked at him, there were snickers. Tom didn't like it, but there wasn't much that he could do about it either. Another change that took place was that Tom now spent the whole day walking beside the horses, and leading them. His father, or mother rode in the wagon and the other would walk along behind the wagon. On the way to Saint Louis Tom had ridden in the wagon, or walked behind it for a few hours at a time. Now he spent the whole day leading the horses. He spent his nights under the wagon, and the weather made no difference. He realized that his mouth had cost him a warm dry place to sleep, and he also learned the value of controlling his temper, and his mouth. Even in the early spring the days were hot and sticky on the plains. Tom found the constant flat land depressing, as it was all that you could see. Few trees, if any could be seen from morning until night, and all the time the flat ground went on and on. Warm in the morning, and it grew hotter as the day wore on. By nightfall it was only bearable, but as the night wore on, the cold of the plains would seep into his bones. He quickly found out that additional blankets were needed. He would wake shivering in the night air; wrap himself in a blanket and go back to sleep. Later in the night he would need to wrap another blanket around himself just to stay warm. The cold and broken sleep did little to ease the fatigue in his tired muscles, and made each day a push of endurance. As the wagons moved constantly west, inching their way across the plains Tom did not see the changes in his body. Either bitterly cold, or swelteringly hot but always tired and sore Tom did not see the looks of the other boys, or the girls showing a new interest in the quiet boy. Tom had grown taller, broader, leaner and stronger as each day passed. Without realizing it, or even caring that he was becoming a new source of interest for the girls, and a rival for the other boys. Tom saw only the flat ground in the daylight, and the bottom of the wagon in the evening. He was going to bed early to try and combat the fatigue of the day's activity of constantly pulling the horses along beside him. Each day was like the one before, with only the sun making any difference. Tom watched spring come and the nights got a little warmer, but he paid for that as each day got hotter. As spring turned to summer, Tom prayed for the end of the plains. There was always the heat during the day, but at night he could at least stay warm, but only if he could get to sleep. The heat of the day died later each day, and Tom found himself lying in a pool of sweat. Sometime during the night he would fall asleep, only to find him shivering as the first rays of the sun signaled a start of a new day. The occasional maintenance days were almost as bad as the travel days. Then he had to contend with working the fires, or spreading hot tar on the wagons. He didn't consider any help that he put in to be much on lifting the wagons to work on the wheels. He didn't see the changes in his own body, but he was the only one. Crossing the frequent streams and occasional rivers were also a mixed blessing. It was refreshing and helped offset the heat of the day, but usually left him soaked and his shoes would still be wet for days. It seemed that anything different from the hot days had their own price associated with them. Tom's prayers were soon answered, and in the far distance he could see a line of hills. Each day they got bigger. He found himself getting excited at the prospect of change. It even helped him ignore the tired sore muscles, and his aching joints. His spirit rose with the sun, as he watched the hills continue to grow. Soon he could see that these were not just hills, but mountains. If he had sat around the fires at night he would have known of the coming mountains, but he had found solitary life at first necessary and then comforting. Only two weeks later Tom found himself cursing the rugged mountain terrain, as the horses balked at every foot. He knew that the load in the wagon was too heavy for the horses. There were only two of them, and they were old. They had been old when they had been the plow horses on the farm. Tom dreaded each day, as he watched the team struggling under the weight of the steep mountain side. Tom confronted his father about the horses, and was amazed that the man had never given the horses a thought. He couldn't tell that they would soon collapse under the strain. Tom suggested that he see about finding some additional horses before the strain killed them. He watched as his father scoffed at the thought, but as he walked away he thought that he heard something in his voice. Two days later Tom was glad to see two new horses brought to their wagon, just after first light. Tom kept his mouth firmly shut, as his father claimed to have been keeping an eye on the horses and thought that it was time to act. As Mr. Peters left Tom noticed that his father didn't even look his way, as he worked to add the additional horses to the team. Tom also found that his day got easier. The young horses were strong, and they took most of the strain of the wagon, giving the old team a rest. With the higher mountain terrain almost barren of grass, the horses had to be fed from the supply of oats. That also helped the older horses recover some of their vigor, and spirit. When the way became impassable, the wagons stopped and everybody set about removing trees, or boulders. Nothing would stop the train for long. Shear drops were negotiated by lowering the wagons and animals down by ropes. Tom was surprised that the people didn't give up. He knew that after the first shear mountain face that they covered they wouldn't be able to turn back, as some had done in the plains. They had no way to go back the same way that they had come, so they moved forward. ------- Chapter 2: Into the fires of Hell Tom was just waking up as the first rays of the sun peaked over the mountain top. It had been a hard job getting down the side of the mountain, and they had planned to rest for the day and get their gear in order before they moved out to face the next mountain peak. The activity of the camp had not begun yet, as it was going to be a day of rest. Being Sunday had made the decision easy to be accepted, even though most Sundays were nothing more than another day. Some families gathered around the fires on Sunday night to read their bibles, but most of the time even that effort carried a price the next day. Tom got to his feet and went to put more wood on the fire, as the embers still glowed from the previous night. Tom froze from surprise as the Indians suddenly appeared in the camp. They had all heard the stories. They knew what to expect. Tom heard a voice call out in the camp, and it was quickly carried around the train; "Indians!" It was all that needed to be said. Tom heard movement from the wagons as people were startled out of their beds. The Indian in front of him had a snarl as he lunged forward with a knife. Tom saw the piece of firewood in his hands suddenly slam into the Indian's head as he went quickly to the ground. Suddenly there were Indians everywhere. Arrows flew, whizzing through the air. Shouts and screams were answered with savage cries, but all Tom saw were the two Indians moving toward him; one with a knife, and the other with a bow and arrow. Tom watched as the arrow was pulled and threw the firewood with all of his might. It crossed the distance quickly, but not before the arrow was in the air. Tom waited for the end to come, but heard the arrow whiz past his ear. When he looked he saw the Indian sitting on the ground, with the firewood at his side. When the movement of the other Indian caught his attention, he saw the anger and determination on his face, and his only defense was gone. The sound of gunfire could now be heard, but he knew that only the scouts and a few of the hunters, had any real chance of hitting anything. The rest of them were farmers, and only hunted for food. Tom didn't delude himself; their situation was grave. The sounds of the gunfire moved the Indian to attack. Tom understood; they had wanted to surprise the train, and now they had to move fast. Tom saw the knife moving toward him as the Indian lunged, he didn't think as he took a step backward, and reached out to grab the wrist of the man. He spun and heaved him toward the wagon, and watched as he hit solidly against the wheel. He was surprised when the man dropped to the ground. Then everything went dark. Tom could hear the screaming as he fought against the blackness, it was difficult to get his brain to work, and his body didn't want to move. It felt like waking up in the cold dark plains and trying to move. As he opened his eyes, the bright sunlight made him close them again, but the throbbing in his head wouldn't go away. He pushed himself up, and forced his eyes open again. Even though it hurt, he could manage to keep them open. As he looked around, he saw the dead littering the ground. His mother and father were lying at the back of the wagon. He doubted that his father had even come out of the wagon, until they pulled him out. He didn't have to look to know that they were dead. He was surprised to find that it didn't mean much to him. He was sorry that they were dead, but he felt no other emotion. Looking around he saw the same thing all around the other wagons. Then he felt the point of something sharp poke his ribs, and jumped. When he looked over his shoulder he saw the Indian that had shot the arrow at him. He was holding a spear in one hand and his stack of books in the other. Anger filled Tom that they would steal his books. He poked Tom again, and Tom felt the hot trickle of blood run down his side. The Indian pointed to the center of the camp, and Tom understood. As he got to his feet, his vision clouded for a second and he was sure that he was going to pass out, but he managed to keep his feet. He felt the spear again as he staggered toward the center of the camp. When he got there he was surprised that there were still people alive. He quickly looked around and saw that there were three groups of people huddled together amidst the dead bodies that littered the ground. Little boys younger than the age of seven or eight; girls and women older than the age of about ten, and another group of boys his own age. He knew where he was supposed to go, and staggered to the group of boys. There were about ten or twelve of them, the oldest was Billy Wilson and the youngest was a boy name Fred Thomas. Tom remember that he was about ten now. All of them looked scared. Tom understood as he would have felt the same way, if he didn't hurt so much. Now he just didn't care. Tom noticed that there was a small group of Indians that acted like the leaders of the wagon train. Tom quickly realized that they gave the orders, and the others moved to carry them out. Tom watched as a steady stream of Indians made their way to the group, all of them carrying books, found in the wagons. Usually just a bible, but sometimes there was another one. Tom was shocked to see the size of the pile; he didn't know that there were that many books in the wagon train. Tom watched his beloved books also moved to the pile. Before they made it into the random jumble, an older Indian stopped the Indian carrying his books and they started to talk. It was not quick and hurried, but slow and thoughtful. Tom saw that he had been pointed out to the older man. When Tom looked into his eyes he was filled with wonder and fear. This was not a man that did things without purpose, and he saw the fire burning brightly in those eyes. He knew that he would do anything that it took to get what he wanted. He had seen that look before in some men. The wagon-master had that look, and he remembered the times that people defied him. Normally all it took was a look from those fiery eyes, and they backed down. Tom now saw those same eyes looking at him. He was sure that if he didn't already know that he was going to die, then he would not have been able to hold that gaze. The man grabbed a book and started to walk to the group of boys. Tom saw the whole group followed the older man. He moved with a fluid grace and purpose. He saw everything around him, as his eyes darted here and there. Tom knew that he could tell you where everyone in the camp was at, and what they were doing. Tom suddenly understood the value of that and found himself looking around quickly, and noticed the position and activity of everything going on. It wasn't the blundering randomness that he first thought. Every Indian was on a mission, and every action was designed to accomplish his task. There were no savage cries, or angry attacks. Each man did what he had to do, and if that meant killing, then he killed. If it was to guard a group, then he stood quietly and did his job. Tom could see the order in the chaos. He was suddenly looking into the eyes of the older man. Tom had not noticed that he had walked right up to him and was looking him in the eyes. Tom stared back, with a new respect for this man. As Tom looked in his eyes he didn't flinch this time, he knew this man, and he found a smile formed on his lips. The smile surprised the man so much that he took a step back. The surprised look on his face made Tom smile even bigger; he knew that this man was rarely surprised, and he had done it. The man looked hard at Tom before he thrust the book into his hands, with only one word "read." Tom noticed that it was one of his favorites. He opened the book at random and started to read. Before he had read more than a dozen lines the book was snatched out of his hands. Tom felt a sense of loss. He watched as the book was passed to each boy. A couple struggled with the words, and then the next was given the book. Tom watched as each boy gave it his best try. Some just looked at the book and handed it back shaking his head. When Billy Wilson got the book he sneered at it and dropped it. The man was as fast as a snake as his knife was at Billy's throat. They all watched as the front of Billy's pants suddenly got wet, and a stream of yellow ran over his foot. The man looked in disgust into the terrified face of Billy Wilson. Tom couldn't hold back the snicker that escaped his lips. The man shot him a cold look as he walked to Tom, his knife was suddenly at his throat. Tom showed no fear, he was too far past fear; his head hurt, he had blood running down his side soaking his pants, and he already knew that he was going to die. He saw no reason to give them any entertainment at his expense. That had been done enough in his life, and if it was going to end, then he would end it the same way that the heroes of his books did; with a smile and courage. Tom leaned into the knife and felt the blood trickle down his chest. The man was surprised and quickly stepped back. He looked hard at Tom, trying to see what was behind that amused smile. Tom believed that he was trying see if he was crazy, and Tom honestly didn't know himself. That was when Billy made a break for freedom. Tom knew that it was useless; he couldn't hope to get out of the camp with the number of Indians there. The man glanced at the running back of Billy Wilson and nodded his head. The boys watched as one of the warriors smoothly pulled an arrow and it was suddenly in the back of Billy. He didn't even cry out as he hit the ground. Once Billy hit the ground Tom looked at his feet, closed his eyes and shook his head. He was amazed that he was so stupid. When he lifted his head again he saw the man looking at him again, he wasn't sure that he had ever stopped, even when Billy had made his desperate run for freedom. The man looked purposefully at Billy and nodded his head, then looked back at Tom. Tom understood, but he didn't know how to answer him. He thought for a minute before he put his finger to his head, then made a flat smooth gesture. The man smiled and nodded his understanding. He then stepped back and spoke to the small group. The Indian that had brought Tom to the group roughly pushed him in the direction of the group of small boys. Once they had gone a few feet away from the group there were sudden screams, and then it was quiet. When Tom looked back every boy had an arrow sticking out of his body. Tom thought that it was strange when he realized that he felt more for them than he did his own parents. His guard used the spear again and Tom continued on his way to the group. Tom sat and watched as things were loaded into wagons. Food, cooking pots, blankets, muskets, knives and surprisingly he watched as the books were loaded. He was just as surprised when some were thrown out. He realized later that they were all bibles. He then watched as the girls and boys were all loaded into another wagon. The women and Tom were tied to the back of the wagon. They all looked at him curiously, but he had no answers to give them. Tom was amazed that it wasn't even noon and they were already setting off. He was impressed with the efficiency of everything that they did. He noticed that the women had no interest or desire to see anything around them. Tom had not given it any real thought, but he suddenly realized that the women all tied to the wagon were the most beautiful in the camp. From the youngest to the oldest, they were the ones that were desired the most. Tom remembered that he had thought about every one of them, and now here they were. He couldn't suppress a small smile as he watched the beautiful Sally Perkins stumble and fall on her ass, as the wagon kept its steady progress. If she didn't get up then they would drag her until she did, or died. Through her tears she struggled back onto her feet. Tom thought the way life worked out was sometimes ironic. She had fended her honor the entire trip, even made Billy Wilson wait until they reached the new settlement before agreeing to marry him; now she was going to lose her virginity to an Indian. They all looked at Tom as he laughed. They were sure that he was out of his mind, but things had never seemed so clear to him. In the evenings the women were forced to cook the food as guards watched their every move. After the Indians ate, then children were fed, then Tom and the women were allowed to eat, if there was anything left. Tom fared easily on the trip, walking was more difficult with his hands tied, and his side throbbed, but without having to pull the horses every step of the trip it was not a real problem. The women had never spent more than an hour walking at a time, and they soon spent much of their time on the ground. Tom did what he could, but he could only help so much. After eating Tom found himself immediately asleep. He didn't see when the warriors came to sample the charms of the women. He woke with a start as one woman screamed in his ear. He looked around to see the women with their dresses torn from their bodies, and many were putting up a fight for their honor. He knew that there were guards, even if he couldn't see them. The women weren't tied now, and that meant that guards were watching, probably waiting for their own turns. Tom slowly sat up and watched the festivities. He was not stupid enough to try and interfere; he knew that he was alive for a reason, but that wouldn't stop the guards from putting an arrow someplace that wouldn't kill him. And he knew that in the end it wouldn't make any difference. For some reason he found it pleasurable to watch Sally Perkins scream and kick as each piece of clothing was ripped away. He could have told them that if they wanted to have clothes tomorrow, then they shouldn't fight tonight. He had seen the uselessness of fighting watching his mother and father; he knew the outcome was predictable. The woman that had screamed looked at him and shouted, "For God's sake, help me!" Tom looked at her and asked her just how he was supposed to help her. His hands were tied behind him, and even though he was starting to fill out he was still only twelve years old. She could see that he was far from the size of the Indian fighting to get her clothes off. She showed desperation and terror as the sound of ripping cloth signaled that her fight was almost over. When the carnage was coming to an end Tom slowly got to his feet and made his way toward the edge of the clearing. He had not gone more than ten feet when a guard stepped in front of him with and arrow notched in his bow. Tom calmly turned around and raised his arms. As he waited he wondered if the guard would cut his ropes, or put the knife someplace else. He was surprised when his hands were suddenly free. He rubbed his sore and aching shoulder muscles as he turned to the guard. He was surprised when the guard held his knife ready to attack; he couldn't see where he was all that dangerous. He nodded his thanks and moved away and relieved himself. Once back in the clearing, he moved to get a bucket and fill it from the water barrel. He picked up a rag from the ground and started to make his way to the women and young girls lying on the ground. They were crying and many looked to be dead, but when he touched them they jumped. He had heard the doctor talk about shock once, and figured that this was it. He started to clean them up, doing what he could. Many of them pushed him away, but some of them appreciated his efforts. The young girls allowed him to clean them up and helped them to get dressed. A couple even hugged him as tightly as they could. He spent more than an hour moving from one to the next, until one of the older women pushed him away and spat at him. She took over where he had left off. He moved back over to his spot by the wagon and rolled up in his blanket. Mornings were not a time to eat, as the little troop started out again. The women were once again tied to the wagon, but surprisingly Tom was left free to follow along, even though there were still guards. He used the new freedom to help the women as much as he could. Some appreciated his help, like the night before, and some blamed him for not helping them the previous night. He quickly found out which women to avoid. Sally was one of those. She blamed everyone for what happened to her; Tom as well as the other women. She refused to understand that everybody had their own problems; she was used to everyone catering to her every whim, and Tom knew that she was in for a rough time. That night was the same routine, feeding everybody then the rape began. As Tom sat at his position amidst the carnage, he realized that each woman was only used by one man, something that had escaped his notice the previous night. In most cases the thought that he recognized the same man using the same woman. He thought about this as the screams once again filled the night. There weren't nearly as many, and the activities didn't take nearly as long. The only exception was Sally. She still believed that it couldn't happen to her, and that everyone should be trying to protect her honor. Even the other women began to realize that there wasn't much that could be done about the situation. Tom made his rounds again. This time the cleanup was much easier, and most of the women appreciated his efforts. There was still some that glared at him, but those he left to somebody else. The little girls still wanted him to hug them, and to tell them that everything was going to be all right. Even though Tom knew that it was a lie, he did it, and hoped that one day they would understand and forgive him. On the third night after everyone had eaten, Tom was taken to the old man that was the obvious leader of the group. He was left with him and they sat and talked. Tom had a hard time understanding him as he only knew a few words of English, and Tom didn't speak Cheyenne. So for an hour they traded information. Tom found out that the man's name was Gray Eagle, and he learned Tom's name. The first thing that they worked on was the language. Gray Eagle held a rock and said the name, and then Tom would repeat it. Then Tom said the name and Gray Eagle repeated it. They were both learning the other's language. After an hour Tom was tired. It was difficult trying to learn, and teach at the same time. Grey Eagle then called one of the warriors, and sent Tom back. When he arrived he saw that most of the cleanup job was already done, but there were still some things to do. He helped where he could. Then rolled up in his blanket, and went to sleep. Things followed the same pattern for the next week, and each night he would sit with Gray Eagle and learn the Cheyenne tongue, and try to teach English. The next day was like any other, but on this day Tom could tell that they didn't stop when they should have. He figured that there was a reason. He was right, and knew what that reason was when they topped a peak and saw the Indian village in the valley below. He knew that they had reached their destination. Tom quickly found out that Gray Eagle was more than the leader of the raiding party. He was the leader of the Cheyenne people. Tom watched as the books were moved into a special Tee-Pee beside Gray Eagle's lodge. He was then taken to Gray Eagle's lodge and left there. After a time Gray Eagle retuned; he motioned for Tom to follow him. When they went outside of his lodge Tom saw what he figured to be all of the Cheyenne people gathered around. Gray Eagle spoke very loudly, so that everyone could hear him. Tom didn't understand what he said, but it seemed to cause a stir among the people. He then made a gesture to clear a path. The people moved, but Tom could see that they were reluctant. He then turned to Tom, took his knife in his hand and held it up for all to see. Then her turned and placed it in Tom's hand. Tom was confused. He looked at Gray Eagle, and he gestured to Tom that he could kill him and walk away, and nobody would try to stop him. Tom thought about this for a time, just staring at the knife in his hands. Tom suddenly moved swiftly and placed the knife at Gray Eagles throat. He could see the surprise in the man's face. Then it was gone, and he once again looked into the eyes of a man that had made his choice. Tom pressed the knife into his throat and a trickle of blood ran down his chest. Tom then stood back, and handed the knife to Gray Eagle. Gray Eagle looked at the blood on the blade, and felt the cut on his throat, and as he looked at Tom, he realized that the cut matched the one on Tom's neck. He smiled and wiped the blade through his fingers before replacing it in the sheath at his belt. Gray Eagle then turned and spoke to the crowd again. Some of the people looked at Tom hard and some with anger in their eyes, but then they moved off to their own business. When they went back into the lodge a woman entered and placed food on the ground between them. She then left as they ate. They began their lessons again. From that time on Tom lived in Gray Eagle's lodge, and they spent all of their time learning each other's language. From the time that Tom woke, until he dropped exhaustedly in his blankets, all that they did was learn. It was the next morning that Gray Eagle led Tom to the river that ran through the valley. He made the motions of washing. Tom understood, but it was something that he didn't feel that he needed. Gray Eagle found that he had to resort to force. Tom put up a good fight, but in the end his clothes were either ripped or cut off, and he was in the water Gray Eagle pitched him some type of soap, and then sat to make sure that he used it. Tom could see that he had lost that battle and bravely began the task of washing. When he was finished and started out Gray Eagle held up his hand, and made the motion of washing his hair. Tom had never heard of this and looked strangely at him. Gray Eagle pointed to the water again, and Tom knew that he would lose this battle was well. He decided that he needed to choose the battles that he could win, and turned back to the river. Washing his hair proved to be more difficult than he had thought. The soap stung his eyes and he couldn't see. He would dunk his head to get the soap out, and have to start over. It took some time, but he was finally finished. Even Gray Eagle accepted that he was clean. When she started to reach for his clothes Gray Eagle stopped him. He reached into his pack and took out clothes similar to Gray Eagles own. He handed them to Tom. Tom looked at them and shrugged, as he slipped the britches over his legs. The soft moccasins felt good on his feet, and he noticed that they gripped the ground, and he could still feel where he stepped, but the sharp rocks did little to hurt his feet. When he was dressed, Gray Eagle removed his own clothes and walked into the water with the soap. After a quick and vigorous scrub from head to toe, he was out pulling fresh clothes of his own from his pack. Once dressed, he put his worn clothes and soap into the pack, and they started back. Tom had to admit that he felt good, fresh and more alive than he had ever felt. He even felt like whistling as they walked back to the village. Gray Eagle seemed amused. Tom began to feel that Gray Eagle was obsessed with washing. Every morning they went to the river and washed from head to toe, and put fresh clothes on. Tom wondered how the clothes managed to appear in his magic pack, but he reasoned that if Gray Eagle could wash every day then he could too. It was close to a week later when they made their way into the village that Tom saw Sally Perkins. She was as naked as the day she was born, tied to a post, on her knees in front of a lodge with her ass sticking into the air. She was crying as two young boys used her body for their pleasure. Tom got Gray Eagle's attention and nodded at Sally. He had a hard look on his face as he looked at her, then he shrugged and motioned for them to continue on. Over the next week Tom saw almost all of the girls and women from the wagon train in the same position, staked outside of different lodges. The men and boys would use them as they pleased, and continue on their way. The women usually used sticks on them in passing. Tom was going crazy with curiosity, but he still didn't have the language skills to understand what Gray Eagle told him. He knew that Gray Eagle was concerned about them as every couple of days he would move around the camp offering them food. Tom didn't have a clue what was happening, but he found out that when he got close enough to talk to them, that their smell seemed disgusting to him. He motioned his distress to Gray Eagle, and watch as Gray Eagle laughed until he had tears in his eyes. He knew that he was the butt of some joke, but he had to wait until Gray Eagle could control himself to explain. It was then that he got the surprising news that he had smelled just as bad as they do, when he got there. He couldn't believe it, but when he looked closely at them he knew that he had been just as dirty. He wondered how he could have ever stood himself. He vowed that soap was going to be his best friend. In the months that followed Tom learned Cheyenne, and Gray Eagle learned English. They found that the better they understood the faster that they learned from each other. All Day Tom spoke only Cheyenne and Gray Eagle spoke only English. Tom found that he could even talk to the people of the village. He made a few blunders, but nothing bad enough to get knifed. The better Tom got, the happier Gray Eagle seemed to be. Tom was rather proud of himself. It was late fall when Gray Eagle called a halt to the learning, and said that he needed to learn to be a Cheyenne. They spent the rest of the fall and the winter hunting and living in the forest. They left the village only with bows and knives. If they ate, it was what they killed, and Tom learned that nothing went to waste. Skins were used for blankets, moccasins, clothes and even shelters. The meat was preserved and they could live a long time on a single hunt. Tom learned to track, shoot a bow and to use a knife. The knife was the most important tool that any Cheyenne had. With it he could defend himself, hunt food and skin his kill. Using nothing more than a knife Tom learned to live in the wild, under the careful eye of Gray Eagle. Next Tom learned the bow and arrow. It was slow, but Gray Eagle was a good teacher. Tom learned to make his own arrows, and how to notch the wood to balance the shaft without weakening the arrow. When Tom got good enough, he learned to hunt for bigger game. One day Gray Eagle explained that killing a man was exactly like killing a dear. "If you don't kill the dear you will starve to death. If you don't kill your enemy, then he will kill you. Either way you will be just as dead." Tom could see the truth of it. It was then that he asked about the captives. Gray Eagle had a hard expression. "I don't like captives, but it makes the tribe stronger, and it makes our enemies fear us. We only take young boys, younger than you are. They will learn to understand our ways and become good Cheyenne warriors. If you take a boy too old, he will simply wait for a time to escape, and go back to his people. Girls have to be old enough to breed. What women are taken, are chosen by the warrior. The warrior that takes the woman owns her. What he does with her is his own business. All of the warriors use the woman, and then trade her to other warriors. The girl that you pointed out to me that day, After Straight Bear finished with her, he traded her to Little Buffalo for two horses, a musket and three knives; a very good price. When he sold her he got one horse, a blanket and four knives. Each time a woman is used by a man she loses some of her spirit. When she has no spirit left, she is tied to the lodge post and left to be used by anybody that wants to use her. If they wish to feed her, then she will live. If they don't then she will die. If someone is interested in a lodge post, he can bargain for her to serve him, but she can no longer be traded. I have seen a woman never used put on a lodge post, she was sold as a squaw before sundown the same day." Tom understood many things now about the women from the wagon train, and why Gray Eagle had gone around with food. He didn't want any to die that way and hoped that all would be bought as servants or wives. Once again Tom understood Gray Eagle better, and respected him more each time that the learned something new about him. When Tom asked why he was taken, he noticed that Gray Eagle was evasive. "Any person not taken has to be killed. Otherwise they will not stop looking for their family that was taken. There must not be any thought that their family survived for the ones taken. They must understand that their life is now Cheyenne." Tom could see the truth of the words. He didn't like what they meant, but he understood why it had to be done. "You still didn't answer my question. Why was I captured and not killed?" Gray Eagle looked at him hard trying to decide something. When he made his decision he spoke again, "You were a great warrior, but in that, you should have been killed. You managed to kill two Cheyenne unarmed, and you were still nothing but a boy. White Deer was impressed with you. Even though he should have killed you, he let you live. When he found the books, he knew that you might have been the one that I was searching for. When I saw your spirit, I knew that you might be the one that I looked for. When you were given the chance to run, you didn't take it. You stayed and helped your people instead of running. When I called you to me, you showed a quick mind and you didn't grieve for your family. That bothered me, but you seemed to understand what needed to be done, and do it. It was why you were not killed." He started once again on the trail of a deer and I couldn't help myself to say, "You said that I could have run, but there were guards. I still would have been killed." Gray Eagle smiled at Tom and said, "The guard would not have killed you. If you had ran you would have meant little to us, and it would have proved that you would do nothing for the captives. We were not concerned about that. In the village you had that chance to kill me and walk away, yet you chose to spare my life and live as a Cheyenne. From that time you had no guards, you proved that none were needed. You also proved that my life was safe in your hands." Once again he resumed his trail of the deer. Tom walked for a while thinking. Gray Eagle was probably right, he knew at the time that he could have slipped away from the wagon without being seen and wondered why he didn't. He didn't particularly like any of the women, but he still stayed to help them. The more that he thought about it, the more he realized that they needed his help, so he didn't even think about running away. It bothered him that he had been so predictable. After a while he spoke again, "You still haven't told me what you want of me." Gray Eagle looked Tom in the eyes before he spoke, "No, I haven't. And until I am sure that you can do it, I won't tell you. Until then I will wait and see if you are what I am looking for." Tom felt that in some way he had let Gray Eagle down, but he didn't know how. As he thought about it, he realized that Gray Eagle had told him the truth. He had not decided if Tom was the right person, and until he was sure he would not say anything. It was not meant as an insult of Tom, but just the truth. Gray Eagle had not changed his opinion of Tom either way. But Tom realized that whatever Gray Eagle had in mind, he wouldn't know before Gray Eagle wished him to. He nodded his head to Gray Eagle showing that he understood. They both moved off in silence on the trail of the deer. ------- Chapter 3: The Cheyenne Ways As spring slowly came to the mountains Tom realized that he was happier than he had ever been in his life. He was now thirteen and almost as tall as Gray Eagle himself. He moved with the confidence and grace of a cat. He had spent the last month learning to fight. With fists, knives, clubs or just about anything that could be found. Gray Eagle was a great fighter, and he taught Tom everything that he knew. Tom had done badly at first, but soon found out that it was more a matter of response. The more that he tried to think about it, the slower he moved. He had to learn to rely on his reactions to be quick and accurate. The wrong choice was punished with pain, and the right choice was rewarded with continuing the fight. Only if he could continue would he have a chance to win. When he did win, it surprised him, but Gray Eagle was proud of him as well. Over and over they fought, and he had the scars to prove it. Now every movement was calculated to advantage, every glance told him everything around him. He found it rare that things could get near him without his knowing, even from the smallest bug. His eyes were always moving and taking in everything that was there. He won more than the lost with his battles with Gray Eagle. Gray Eagle sported as many bruises as Tom did, and both of them limped as they walked, but both were wearing smiles. As Tom stoked the fire from the night before, he knew that Gray Eagle was standing behind him. He was prepared for the blow, but it didn't come. When he turned and raised his eyebrow Gray Eagle just smiled and said, "I knew that you were ready for the attack, I could see it in your stance. You have learned everything that I can teach you. We must now return to the village. Spring comes and once again our enemies will come to our land." Tom thought about this for a long time. Who was his enemy? Did he see the white settlers as the enemy? Tom still wasn't sure about this. They had covered a large distance during the winter and on the return trip Gray Eagle headed out onto the plains. Tom still hated the plains, but he knew that Gray Eagle did nothing without a reason. They traveled for many days in the plains, and Tom found that his hatred of them was his ignorance of them. Once he learned about the plains they were as much a part of him, as the mountains and the valleys. On the fifth day in the plains they came upon the remains of a large buffalo herd. It had been slaughtered as it stood. Tom was appalled at the destruction. Gray Eagle explained that the white man had slaughtered them as they stood, and then stripped the hides and left the meat to rot on the bones. Their very existence was threatened by the white man, and his greed. Gray Eagle explained that this was just one herd that had been slaughtered, but that there was hundreds, and all of them stripped of their hides with the meat rotting on the ground. If the white man could not be stopped, they would starve before they could learn to adapt. Tom understood the reason for the attack on the wagon train, and he also understood that any white man that could do something like that would be his enemy. He had learned to live by taking what you need, and here was mass destruction, for no more reason than to line the pockets of greedy men. His father had been like that, as well as every man in the wagon train. Yes, now he understood. Greed was his enemy, and the white man lived for money and power. The white man had to be turned back, or stopped. When he said this to Gray Eagle he only laughed. He said that the white man could not be turned back, or stopped. He could only be slowed down, until they could have a chance to learn to change and to adapt to the changing ways that the white man brought with him. As Tom thought about this, he knew that Gray Eagle was right. They could never win, but they could slow the change. He knew that he would do anything that was needed to slow that change. When he told Gray Eagle of his thoughts, the older man gave him a warm smile and said that he was now Cheyenne. He now knew the land and the people, what they fought for, and why they could not lose. For if they lost, the Cheyenne people were doomed. Tom nodded his understanding. It was almost a month later that they walked back into the village. They had been gone for more than six months. The people were happy to see Gray Eagle, and a few were even happy to see Tom. All of them noticed the changes in him, and some feared him. He could sense it easily as he saw their hands resting on their knives. That evening there was a big celebration. The whole village sang and danced. Everyone had a good time. Before Tom could drink anything Gray Eagle shook his head, and Tom passed the jug on to the next warrior. He sat and watched as his people celebrated the return of their chief. As the dancing speeded up into a frenzied tempo, Gray Eagle stood and looked around the fire. Everyone became quiet, expectant of his words. He didn't disappoint them, "My people, your joy gladdens my heart, and honors me. But today is a day of even more joy. For I have come before you to tell you that I have decided to take Tom as my son. He is now to be called Fighting Hawk. He has learned the ways of the Cheyenne, and will protect the ways of the Cheyenne people." There were some cheers, and some whisperings, but the general attitude was stunned silence. The challenge came quickly as a knife was suddenly sticking in the ground at Gray Eagles feet. Suddenly everyone was quiet. Gray Eagle looked down at the knife, and then looked up to confront Little Buffalo. Little Buffalo snarled as he said, "A white as Gray Eagle's son! I would rather see a dog lead the Cheyenne then to have a white leading us to our doom." Little Buffalo glared and waited for Gray Eagle to accept the challenge. Gray Eagle turned to Tom. He spoke loud enough for everybody to hear, "Son, it appears that Little Buffalo doesn't think that you would be a good Cheyenne warrior. Would you like to accept this challenge for me? It will show everybody that you know the Cheyenne ways, and that you will fight for them. Besides, Little Buffalo isn't enough of a warrior to stand before me." Tom knew that Gray Eagle was insulting him to drive his anger to a dangerous level. It would give Tom his best advantage. Tom stood slowly and spoke for the first time, "Father, I would be happy to accept the challenge in your name, against the dog that would ruin your celebration." There were gasps at his words. Everybody knew that Little Buffalo had designs on being the next chief. Tom knew that the people remembered the lanky boy that had left with Gray Eagle last fall, and they knew that even though he was bigger and stronger, he was still a boy. To openly insult Little Buffalo, in such a fashion required him to kill Tom to save his honor. Tom knew that he had planned it already, as soon as the challenge was made. Gray Eagle smiled as he looked into Tom's eyes; they both knew what must be done. Not a word was spoken as Tom picked up the knife and sunk it between Little Buffalo's feet. He didn't flinch as the blade spun to its' target. When it hit the ground there was a mad scramble to clear the area. This was an honor fight and once started, anybody in the way would be killed as quickly as the warriors involved. Tom slowly pulled his knife and casually waited; every muscle tense and vibrating. He looked calm, but his nerves screamed for sudden action. He watched as Little Buffalo bent to pick up his knife. Once in hand he stood waiting. The advantage was his anger; Tom needed him to make a mistake. "What's the matter? Scared of a little white boy with a knife?" Tom smiled at him as he watched his anger eat at him. "I knew that you were nothing but a loud mouth coward." Tom turned his back on him to walk away, and he attacked. Tom knew that he would. He dropped down and spun around, Little Buffalo was moving too fast to stop and he knew that he had been a fool. Tom brought the knife up quickly and buried it into his stomach. As he pulled the blade clear, Little Buffalo fell to the ground. Tom rolled to the side waiting for him to rise. Even though it was a good solid thrust, he was not dead yet. Little Buffalo knew that he had been played for a fool, but the damage had been done. Even if he won, he might still die. Tom changed the knife to his left hand. Gray Eagle had taught him that you had to be good with both hands. Tom moved in quickly and his first cut was on Little Buffalo's knife arm. Little Buffalo howled as his knife sliced through air. Tom had dove to the side, rolled and came to his feet. He crouched down waiting for his move, and he didn't disappoint Tom. Gray Eagle had fallen for the same move, and Tom knew what he needed to do. As Little Buffalo lunged to take advantage of tom's poor stance, Tom dove once again to the side of his legs. Tom cleanly sliced though the muscles at the base of his heel. Little Buffalo suddenly toppled as his leg gave out. Tom was on his feet circling as he wallowed in the dirt. Tom heard the astonished sounds from the people; he tuned them out. He knew that he couldn't afford the distraction. He had to end this quickly now, before Little Buffalo passed out and it took days for him to die, unless he got lucky enough to live. Tom was just close enough to whisper to him, "Yes, another Little Buffalo, and I will skin you and leave your meat to rot." That did it. Little Buffalo's eyes focused on Tom and he struggled to his feet. Tom waited, he had to wait, to attack Little Buffalo on the ground in an honor fight would be the most cowardly move possible, and it would demand Tom's death. Then Little Buffalo was up and staggering toward Tom, He stepped to the side of each thrust. Tom made sure not to inflict any more damage. Little Buffalo's arm swung as he shouted insults at him. Tom ignored them all, and continued to avoid his blade. It looked harder than it really was. Little Buffalo had no balance, and his loss of blood was starting make him weak. Tom waited and when he insulted Tom with a particularly vile insult, he made his move. Tom walked straight toward him, Little Buffalo thought that he had finally managed to anger Tom and that he was acting foolishly. It was far from the truth. Tom had to finish him quickly, before he passed out, and ended the fight still alive. Little Buffalo waited and thrust as soon as Tom was close enough, but Tom knew what to expect and brushed his knife aside, and thrust his knife directly into Little Buffalo's throat. The tip came out the back of his neck, and Tom twisted as he pulled the knife free and walked away, without looking back. Little Buffalo hit the ground with a thud, and there was no question in anybody's mind that he was dead before he hit the ground. Tom calmly wiped the blood from his knife and placed it back in his sheath. He then looked to Gray Eagle as he took his place back at the feast circle. Gray Eagle smiled quickly to him as he stood to once again to address the people of the village. "Cheyenne people, my son was named for the hawk. Like the hawk, he is swift and sure, he shows no fear and he knows how to fight. And like the Cheyenne, he knows who his enemy is and he will do what he must to fight his enemy. If there are any others among you that does not believe that Fighting Hawk is a true Cheyenne, or that he is not my son, then let him now challenge." Gray Eagle looked slowly around the massed villagers. He met each eye as he looked to them. There were no further challenges. Gray Eagle then said, "As chief of the Cheyenne, I will ask if there is any who wish to challenge Fighting Hawk. Any friends, or family of Little Buffalo, that believes that it is for his honor that he must avenge his death." Once again Gray Eagle looked at he assembled people, and Tom stood waiting for the challenge. No challenge came. Gray Eagle nodded as he once more spoke to the people, "The challenge is ended. Any man now trying to take revenge for Little Buffalo will be shown as a coward, and hunted and killed like a coward. In the ways of the Cheyenne people, all possessions of Little Buffalo now belong to Fighting Hawk, if any challenge this let him now speak." Once again the people all remained silent. When Gray Eagle sat back at the feast circle women quickly moved in to offer food and drink to Gray Eagle and Fighting Hawk. As they took the food and drink, Tom whispered, "You knew what was going to happen and you have been preparing me for that fight. What if I had lost?" Gray Eagle smiled as he whispered back, "Then I wouldn't have a son, and Little Buffalo would still be dead. For two summers Little Buffalo has only been waiting for a reason to challenge me. I allowed you to fight him in my place. If you won then Little Buffalo would be dead, and you would be accepted as a Cheyenne warrior. If you lost, I knew that Little Buffalo would be wounded, and then I would avenge your death. Even if he was faster than me, you would have taken some of his speed, and I would have won. Either way, Little Buffalo was dead as soon as he challenged." Tom considered his words. "So you used me to soften up your enemy?" Gray Eagle was slow to answer, and it looked like he had to consider his words. "Yes, I used you to destroy Little Buffalo. I knew that you would not survive the first raid that Little Buffalo was on. Your death would have put me in the position of accepting a challenge. If you were to die I thought that you would rather it be in a fight of honor rather than the knife of Little Buffalo in your sleep." Tom considered his words, and he knew that Gray Eagle was probably right. Little buffalo would have done that, Tom was sure. So he had to consider the motives of Gray Eagle. As he sat and ate his food, he watched the dancing. It was once again soft and quiet, but it gained momentum quickly. Tom Whispered to Gray Eagle, "You are a clever man. You prepare me to fight your battles, and destroy your enemies. You used everything to get what you wanted. If I had lost, you would have lost nothing, and gained much. You are a good leader of the Cheyenne people." Gray Eagle nodded his agreement of the situation, and as he rose to leave the celebration he whispered back to Tom, "Yes I would, I would have lost a son." Then he walked into the darkness toward his lodge. During the celebration Fighting Hawk was congratulated on his fighting skill. Little Buffalo held a position in the tribe, and now Fighting Hawk held that position. He found that being Gray Eagle's son also gave him status in the tribe. He found many people looking to become his friend. He knew what these people cared nothing for him, and they only wanted to use him for their own games. His talks with Gray Eagle during the long winter had prepared him for this as well. He smiled as he understood just how well Gray Eagle had prepared things. During the talk of the night, Fighting Hawk found that Little Buffalo had a squaw, and asked for her to be pointed out. When she could not be found, he asked one of the women to bring her to him. She nodded and left quickly. When Fighting Hawk noticed the woman returning with another woman, he rose to move away from the celebration. He saw that they stopped and waited. As he sat away from the others, they approached him. The servant girl was timid, and quickly left the woman with Fighting Hawk. Fighting Hawk motioned for the woman to sit, and waited until she was sitting before he spoke, "You have heard that Little Buffalo is dead?" Fighting Hawk waited for her answer. She nodded her head, but her eyes remained on the ground in front of her. He stated the situation clearly for her. "You may kill yourself, or I can kill you. You can go to any lodge in the village, or you can leave the village. Or you can stay in my lodge. I have no intension of killing you, if you wish to kill yourself you can do it now." Fighting Hawk waited and saw her make no move toward her knife. He considered her for a minute before adding, "Or you can try to kill me, and avenge Little Buffalo." He watched as her eyes snapped up to lock on his for the first time. He saw no grief in them, and no anger toward him. He decided that it would probably be safe to let her sleep in the same lodge, without finding a knife in his back. "If you wish to stay in my lodge, I will not take you as my woman. You will be like any other captive." This put the situation clearly to her, that Fighting Hawk could sell her, or put her on the post, if that was what he wanted. He then waited for her answer. Her eyes were back on the ground, and she made no move to do anything. He decided to let her think about things. He motioned to the servant girl. When she came he told her to bring food and drink. She hurried away. When she came back he saw that she had brought food and drink for them both. She placed everything between them and quickly slipped away. Fighting Hawk nibbled the food and waited, as he listened to the music. He drank the bitter drink made from fermented berries, and when his cup was empty he placed it in front of her and ordered her to fill the cup. He saw only a moment of hesitation, before she rose and went to fill the cup. When she returned, she placed the cup at his knee as she sat across from him. He told her to eat and she took a piece of the spicy meat, and he watched as she chewed. When the meat was finished he said to her, "You must now decide. What shall you do?" She never looked up at him as she answered, "I am Fighting Hawk's captive. I serve Fighting Hawk." He nodded. He supposed that her actions should have told him of her decision, but without the experience he had to make her say the words. He rose to his feet and told her to take him to his lodge. She quickly stood and led the way from the celebration. If anyone saw him leave, there was no mention of it. As they approached the lodge, Fighting Hawk could see that it was a large lodge, it was another sign of his status. He saw a young girl staked to the post outside the lodge. He frowned as he noticed that she was only skin and bones. He knew that she would soon starve to death. He growled as he entered the lodge, "Feed her." As Fighting Hawk looked around the lodge he saw two other girls in the lodge. They were both from the wagon train, and he knew that they were the youngest of the girls taken. They looked at Tom with hope in their eyes. He gave them no sign that he would help them. When the woman was back, Fighting Hawk spoke to her. "What are your names?" The woman got to her knees before Fighting Hawk, and the two girls with big eyes copied her motions. As all three kneeled before him he heard the woman speak, "I am called Moon Flower, and these captives have not been named." He knew that in the year that the girls had been in the village they had to have learned some of the language, just to stay alive. He knew that they probably knew very little, and that they probably had no idea what was going on. Fighting Hawk ordered them to show him their bodies. As a captive, their primary use was servitude, in all forms. As their owner he would use them as he saw fit. He would use their bodies for his pleasure, or sell them if he chose, or even place them on the post. If he chose he could kill them and throw their bodies outside the lodge. Things like that were rare, but it had happen, according to Gray Eagle. Moon Flower moved quickly to stand. Moon Flower told the girls over and over to stand as she pulled them to their feet. Then she motioned for them to remove their dresses. She loosened her belt, and as she slipped the wide neck of her simple dress to the side and it fell from her shoulders; with a little wiggle, it was at her feet. Fighting Hawk sucked in his breath. A warrior had scars on his body; each one was earned as he fought. They were badges of honor, in a way. For a woman to have scars on her body was a mark of shame. Each told of a failure to serve her man. Each scar added insult to her life, not only to the men, but especially to the women. These women were covered with scars, not only were there scars, but recent marks all over their bodies. He snapped at them, "Moon Flower, explain this!" Her eyes stayed on the ground, and Fighting Hawk saw that there were tears on her face. He knew the shame that she felt. "Little Buffalo was a hard man. He punished quickly for any offense, but most of these marks came from his pleasure. He enjoyed hurting us, and it gave him pleasure to hear our screams. All of our fresh wounds were caused like that." Fighting Hawk walked around the three and looked at them from every angle. He could see that their breasts and asses carried the most scars. Their backs, as well as their breasts had open wounds in the shape of finger nail scratches. He could imagine how painful that they had been to receive. He looked around and saw the bathing pack. After he retrieved the pack, he turned back to the women. "You will come with me, and you will not wear any clothes." Fighting Hawk could see the shame in Moon Flower's face. He waited to see if she would argue, but when she dropped her eyes back to the ground he knew that she would do as she was told. She was a broken woman. As he stepped through the lodge flap, he leaned down and cut the rope on the hands of the girl tied to the post. Tom spoke to the girls; they jumped to hear him speak English, as he told them to help the girl walk, and to follow Moon Flower and him. He then started off through the village. The celebration was winding down and you could hear the drunken laughter. As Fighting Hawk walked toward the large fire he whispered to Moon Flower, "No matter what you hear or see, keep your head up, and meet every pair of eyes. If you don't I will add to those scars myself." He heard Moon Flower acknowledge his command and out of the corner of his eyes he saw her wipe the tears from her cheeks. He smiled to himself; this woman had grit in her backbone. As Fighting Hawk entered the fire light, there were cries of greeting, and laughter. Fighting Hawk stared them all down quickly. They knew that something was wrong by the look of his eyes. The crowd became quiet. "Little Buffalo deserved to die this night; not for the challenge, or even because he was not a better fighter, but because he was nothing more than a cowardly pig. He should have never died in a fight of honor, he deserved nothing more than a knife in his back as he slept." For a Cheyenne, the reference to a pig is insulting. They are considered dirty and cowardly, but an insult like that said that Little Buffalo was worse than the slime on the bottom of the pig. There were roaring war bellows from the friends of Little Buffalo, but Fighting Hawk ignored them. He spoke loudly and clearly, "For the way the treated his women, he deserved nothing more. Some of you knew of this, and you did nothing. For that, you don't even deserve to be called Cheyenne, and especially a warrior." Fighting Hawk stood aside and Moon Flower led the girls into the firelight. As soon as they saw the scars and open wounds on their bodies they all looked away. It was considered impolite to stare at any woman's scars. Fighting Hawk would not allow them to get off that easy. He yelled for them to look at the women. Many eyes moved back to the women, but soon every pair of eyes were looking down at the dirt. Fighting Hawk motioned for Moon Flower to go to the river. She nodded and led the girls toward the water. Fighting Hawk gave a disgusted snort at the collected group, "I expect every one of you to give those women the respect that they deserve. If I find anyone treating them like they deserved those scars, I will deal with you myself. If it happens to be a woman I will leave her with more scars than these women have. If there is anybody that thinks that I don't have the right, let them say it now, in front of everybody." Fighting Hawk met any eyes that looked, but there were no voices. He turned and followed the women down to the river. The girls were in the river, but Moon Flower had just reached the water. As he removed his own clothes and joined them in the river. He had not realized how tired that he was until the relaxing water washed around his body. Moon Flower waded out to him and said, "I did not go with the girls. I waited and listened to what you said. No Cheyenne warrior would do what you did. If it was family he would, but we aren't family. Why did you do that?" Fighting Hawk thought for a moment, and wondered how to explain what he felt. "Tonight, I killed Little Buffalo. His followers would not challenge me openly. Now he has no followers, anybody that even admits that he was a friend will be outcast. And no woman deserves to be treated like that. If she deserves a scar she should carry it to remember what she did wrong, but no woman should ever deserve to carry the scars of a man for his pleasure. It is wrong." Fighting Hawk looked at Moon Flower and waited for her to say something. She looked at Fighting Hawk and said, "I heard that Gray Eagle took you for his son. I can see why; you are just like him. He has done well. You will be a good leader." The girls watched as Fighting Hawk washed from his head to his toes, and then he handed the soap to Moon Flower. She also washed thoroughly. Then the girls were given the soap. Fighting Hawk could tell that they had rarely been in the water, and it explained their greasy and matted hair. He turned and asked Moon Flower why they were so dirty. She responded that they didn't have to be clean to spread their legs, and it had been too cold to come to the river at night, as Little Buffalo only allowed them to wash at night. Fighting Hawk understood why. As the girls climbed from the water they looked more human. They even had a lilt to their laughter like little girls should. Fighting Hawk handed each clean clothes from the pack. As they slipped on their clothes Fighting Hawk turned and spoke to Moon Flower, "I want this pack kept ready with clean clothes for all of us. Each morning we will come to the river and bathe, and we will all do it with our heads held high." Moon Flower nodded that she understood. When everyone was dressed, they started the trip back to the lodge. As they emerged from the trees four men were waiting for them. They were talking in hushed tones, and immediately Fighting Hawk's hand was resting on his knife. When Moon Flower's hand rested on his he gave her a quick look, and let it fall to his side. His stance looked casual, but he was ready to fight at a moment's notice. Moon Flower leaned close and whispered, "That one is Little Elk, he is my brother." Fighting Hawk wondered why she would have stayed with him if she had family willing to take her in, and then he remembered the scars on her body, and knew that she didn't want to bring shame on her families' lodge. He waited for them to make a move. The one that Moon Flower had pointed out as her brother came forward. He spoke softly but loud enough for his voice to carry to all present, "You have given honor to my sister, and I thank you. Some of us had known that Little Buffalo hurt his women, but none of us believed that it was as bad as we have seen. Believe us when we say that if we had known, we would have done something. I have come to take my sister back to her family." Fighting Hawk considered his words, and knew that they probably believed them, but he also knew that they would never have done anything, even if they had known. He looked at Moon Flower and told her that if she wanted to leave, he would understand. She looked at Little Elk and said, "I serve Fighting Hawk, and I don't want to go back to my family." Little Elk huffed and blustered. "You are a Cheyenne Squaw, and not a common captive. You deserve to be married to a Cheyenne warrior." Moon Flower looked hard at him before she answered, "Yes, I was a squaw to a Cheyenne, and now I serve Fighting Hawk; a true Cheyenne warrior. I think I am better off now." She looked hard at Little Elk defying him to argue. Little Elk tightened his lips, and turned and stomped off, as the others turned to follow him Fighting Hawk relaxed. He turned to Moon Flower and said, "Why didn't you want to go back to your family?" She regarded him for a moment before she told him, "They arranged the marriage with Little Buffalo, and they would arrange another. I want a say in what happens to me now." Fighting Hawk considered her words, and knew that she had the right to make her own choices. He nodded and he moved off to the lodge, followed by Moon Flower and the girls. When they got there Fighting Hawk was surprised when the girl went back to the lodge post, and waited to be tied. He asked what she had done to be placed on the post. She looked at him and shook her head, he was sure that she didn't know and he wasn't even sure that she did anything. He told her that she was no longer going to be on the post. She seemed surprised that he would interfere, and shook her head and tried to retie her own hands. Fighting Hawk realized that none of them spoke enough Cheyenne to understand that Little Buffalo was dead, and that he now commanded the lodge. He called the other girls around and explained in English that Little Buffalo was now dead, and that he now owned all of Little Buffalo's possessions, including them. He also explained that Moon Flower would still run the lodge, but she was now the same as they were; a captive. They listened and once they understood that Little Buffalo would no longer be there to torture them, they jumped with joy. Fighting Hawk shook his head in sympathy for them, as he led them into the lodge. ------- Chapter 4 As the morning came Fighting Hawk looked around the lodge. Moon Flower and the girls still slept. He looked each over. Moon Flower couldn't be more than her early twenties, but her hard life left her with lines on her face. When she slept the lines almost totally disappeared, giving her the beauty that she once held. Her long black hair was still down from her bath in the river the previous night. It fell randomly all around her head, and it made her beautiful. Her dark eyes showed the depth of her emotions. Fighting Hawk remembered what her body had looked like the previous night, still tight and firm. Her breasts were medium sized, but the abuse that she had suffered gave them a bit of sag, but they were still full and firm. She was thin, but there was no doubt that she was all woman. As she opened her eyes she saw Fighting Hawk looking at her. She had seen that look most of her life, and knew that he desired her. She smiled at him as she stretched. As he got to his feet, he decided that it was time to relieve himself, actually he thought that just about any place would be better than where he was. She smiled as he moved to leave the lodge. When he returned, he sat and motioned for Moon Flower to sit in his lap. She gently settled in and smiled to him as he gently stroked her breasts. It had been a long time since she had felt the gentle hands of any man. She found herself responding to the tender manipulation, and it surprised her. As he kissed her she closed her eyes and enjoyed the pleasure coursing through her body. The soft touches made her wet and she found herself excited for the first time, in a very long time. They sat and cuddled as Fighting Hawk softly caressed all of her body. As the other girls began to stir Fighting Hawk helped Moon Flower up. When the first little girl opened her eyes and looked around Fighting Hawk motioned for her to come to him. She got slowly to her feet and shyly walked over to him. She was a cute little blonde with blue eyes. She had almost no breasts as they were just small swellings on her chest. But he knew that for the last year she had lived the life of a woman, and she was a child no more, just like he was no little boy. She sat in his lap, and he cuddled her to him as he gently ran his hands over her whole body. She sighed as he made her feel good. Never before had anyone been concerned with what she felt, only themselves. She suddenly found herself wanting to please this man, more than anything else in her whole life. Fighting Hawk leaned down and whispered into her ear, "From now on your name will be Morning Star." She giggled at the name, but she realized that she liked it. Fighting Hawk could see that another little girl had her eyes open. He smiled at her and motioned for her to come to him. As she was getting to her feet, he helped Morning Star up and whispered for her to go and help Moon Flower prepare some food. She scampered away happy to do as he wanted. He opened his arms as a little dark haired girl crawled into his lap. She had brown eyes and freckles across her nose. Her body was also not developed yet, but she was soft and warm as he held her close and gently stroked her body from the top of her head down to her toes. She giggled when he ran his tough hands over her feet. But she moaned when they ran across her womanly mound. He whispered in her ear, "From now on your name will be Midnight Star, and you will always be the sister of Morning Star. From now on I want both of you to always be together." She nodded her head, and Fighting Hawk helped her to her feet to go to her new sister. They laughed when they found out that they were to be sisters. Fighting Hawk had to explain to Moon Flower what they were talking about, but she thought it good that they would have each other to rely on. She smiled at them. He could tell that it was not something that they had seen much from her. When she took them in her arms, they hugged her lovingly. It was some time later that the last little girl woke. Fighting Hawk thought it was only the smell of the food that made her stir. Fighting Hawk watched as she looked around and saw that she felt that she was in trouble for sleeping late, as she quickly threw the blankets aside and struggled to make her body work. She had spent two weeks tied to the lodge post, and her body was still in bad shape. Fighting Hawk smiled and motioned for her to come to him. She was afraid as she moved timidly to him. When he took her in his arms and pulled her into his lap he felt her body tense. He did nothing but to hold and cuddle her. When she found out that he wasn't mad at her she relaxed. She was older than the other girls, and he could tell that her breasts were developing nicely. She would probably end up with breasts larger than Moon Flower. He had seen that she already had a full growth of pubic hair, and her hips had the wide spread of a woman. She had blond hair and bright blue eyes. If it were not for the scars on her body, he would have thought that she was as bright as the sun itself. She felt him getting hard beneath her, and shifted so that he could enter her. He stopped her and shook his head. Then he took some meat from the bowl in front of him and fed her with his own hands. She ate the whole bowl of meat as he fed her each bite. Only when the bowl was empty did she feel afraid that he had gotten none. He smiled at her and stroked her body from top to bottom. The new sensations made her shiver. He then leaned over and whispered, "From now on your name will be Bright Dove." She looked at him confused. He explained that she needed to have a Cheyenne name, if she was going to live in his lodge. She asked if he was going to sell her. Fighting Hawk smiled and said that he could not answer that, but that for now he planned on keeping her to serve him. She smiled and said that she would serve him as best as she could. He nodded and said that he believed her. He then told her to go to Moon Flower, and she would tell her what needed to be done. As she rose up she smiled, and Fighting Hawk noticed that it was the first time that he had seen her smile. It made her look even more beautiful. He swatted her ass playfully as she ducked through the lodge flaps. He heard a surprised squeak followed by a laugh. When Fighting Hawk left the lodge he found Moon Flower working with a smile on her face. He told her that he wanted her, and the girls to make several dresses for each of them, as well as moccasins. She seemed stunned. He smiled and said that he would hunt the deer, and supply her with the skins that she would need. He also told her that the extra meat that they didn't need should be given to the needy. There were always widows and orphans, and they survived on the mercy of others, until the widow married, or the children grew enough to hunt for the family. Moon Flower smiled and said that she was proud that her man was so generous. It made Fighting Hawk blush at her words. He then turned and left the village. Twice that day he came back to the village carrying a deer draped across his shoulders. He then told Moon Flower that she should teach the girls how to do the work of skinning and preparing the skins. She nodded her understanding as Fighting Hawk headed to the river to clean the blood and smell of death from his body. When he returned to the village he went to see Gray Eagle. The shadows were starting to get long on the ground as Fighting Hawk sat across the fire outside the lodge of Gray Eagle. After a respectful time he said, "Father, I have had a busy night." He waited to see how much of his activities had reached the ears of Gray Eagle. There was a deep resounding laugh and Fighting Hawk noticed that Water Lilly peeked through the lodge flaps. He smiled when he saw her. He knew that she watched Gray Eagle closer than a mother watches her young, and he was glad of that. "Yes you had a busy night. First you were named as my son, and then you face the best fighter in the village, and defeated him. Then just when most young men would go quietly to sleep, you shamed the entire village, and brought honor to some wronged women, and at the same time you made any followers of Little Buffalo hide in shame. And then today I hear that you are feeding the widows of the village. Yes my son, you have been very busy." Gray Eagle shifted and cleared his throat. He almost took on a noble expression as he said, "Since the sun was high in the sky, the women of the village have come to tell me of the greatness of my son. Each telling has spread the news of your abilities and your generosity of your spirit, and shames the other warriors who ignore the widows. My pride of you is as wide as the sky, and never could I have had a better son." His words sounded like music to Fighting Hawk's ears. He then reached into his pocket and handed Fighting Hawk a necklace. It was not of gold or silver but of simple beads. It was the same that Gray Eagle wore, and the meaning was not lost on Fighting Hawk. As they sat and talked Gray Eagle said that it would soon be time to face their enemies, Fighting Hawk nodded his understanding. Gray Eagle said that it would be better if he stayed with him during the battle. His position as second in command would justify him staying out of the main battle. Fighting Hawk listened and frowned, but then said, "Father, now is not the time for me to sit at your side. I must not only be in the battle, but I must lead the battle. I must show the other warriors that I am a Cheyenne warrior. I must take captives, and rape them and sell them. I must show that I respect all of the Cheyenne traditions. If I don't do these things, they will still think of me as a white man living off of your word. No, I cannot sit with you this first time." Gray Eagle listened to his words, and nodded his head as he finished. He smiled and said, "You understand what must be done, and that is good, but you risk all my plans to show your courage, but as you say my plans will mean nothing if the Cheyenne people will not trust you. It will be as you say." With the decision made, the talk once again turned to small things, until Water Lilly came to gather Gray Eagle for his evening meal. Fighting Hawk smiled at her as he left, and she returned a smile of pride herself. As Fighting Hawk walked through the village, many women came to him and pressed their hands to him, and smiled as they ran off. He was confused, but understood that there were many rumors in the village, and it really didn't matter to him as long as they were happy. When Fighting Hawk reached the lodge and entered he was unprepared for the waiting that he got. The women were all smiles and bubbling with pride and excitement. There was a large stack of skins and blankets that he couldn't understand. Moon Flower was very excited as she explained the events of the day. With two deer, it was so much meat that she gave large portions to all of the widows and orphans. She said that his generosity shamed the other warriors into giving skins and blankets, and they brought part of them to the lodge to show their appreciation. He frowned and said that they shouldn't have accepted it, as they might need them later. Moon Flower shook her head and explained that it would have offended them not to accept. Nobody likes to accept charity, and this way they can hold their heads up. Fighting Hawk nodded his understanding. She showed Fighting Hawk the dresses that she had started on, and told him the girls had worked hard all day, preparing the skins and meat, and Bright Dove had washed their clothes. They were all beaming with pride at the accomplishments. Fighting Hawk smiled and told them how proud of them he was. Then he told them that after the evening meal they were going to the river to wash the smell of death from their hands and bodies. When they reached the river Fighting Hawk sat to watch as the women bathed. As he had already taken his bath, and found their play in the water enjoyable to watch. Their glistening bodies excited his young flesh. He wondered if they had healed enough to enjoy their flesh, but decided to let them make that decision. As he sat on the bank of the river watching the women he remembered the time during their winter hunt; it had surprised him when Gray Eagle had asked if he had ever used any of the Post women. He had admitted that he had, but only a couple of times. When Gray Eagle asked if she had enjoyed it, he only looked at him in confusion. That had started a new education for him. He had never even considered that a woman could enjoy sex, and the thought was a shock to him. He was sure that his mother had never enjoyed the things that she had done, even though his father had enjoyed them all. Gray Eagle spent a lot of time explaining that there was a difference between raping a woman, and loving a woman. He had said that when you wanted to give a woman pleasure there were things that you could do. He explained all of these things in detail, and even though Fighting Hawk wasn't sure about the sound of many of them, Gray Eagle assured him that they were much more fun to do than they sounded. He remembered the time that Gray Eagle had molded the shape of a woman in the snow and explained all of the things that could be done, and how to do them. It had left Fighting Hawk breathless at the descriptions. Now he knew that he had to please these women, to show them that there was more to the act of sex than they had received. He had learned what Gray Eagle taught him, and he had found that all of the things that he had learned had only made him a better man. When they were back at the lodge Fighting Hawk made his way to his blankets as the women all settled themselves into their own blankets. Fighting Hawk was starting to doze off when a sudden sound snapped him instantly awake. He looked to see Moon Flower rise from her blankets, and slip her dress down her body. She then quietly walked over to Fighting Hawk. He looked into her eyes and saw a fire raging inside her. As Moon Flower reached him she lowered herself to his side, and started to remove his clothes. He smiled at her as she helped. When his clothes were off she moved down and took him in her mouth. He had seen his mother do this, and now he understood the pleasure that his father felt. She was accomplished at giving him pleasure, and he knew that she was getting him ready to quench the fire that he had seen earlier. When she suddenly moved up and threw her leg over him, he knew what she was going to do, and his hand stopped her. She looked at him with that same fire in her eyes as she searched his face. He shook his head and moved from under her. When she was lying on her back he looked at her and saw that the fire in her eyes was now gone. Now she looked dull and bored. He could understand that. This was the way that every man had used her, and she had wanted more from him. When Moon Flower had been placed on her back she prepared herself for what she knew was about to happen. She stared up at the same spot in the skin that she always stared at, hoping that it would be over quickly. She couldn't imagine why she had thought that Fighting Hawk might have been any different than the others. She gasped as she felt his hot lips kissing her neck and working their way down to her breasts. She hated this part, it started out feeling nice and then they bit and smashed her tinder nipples in their brutal hands. It was always the same. When she felt his lips contact her nipples she stiffened for the assault, but she was surprised when he gently took her nipple in his mouth and tenderly sucked and licked it. The surprise and pleasure collided in her to cause her to moan out load; something that she had never done before. As she closed her eyes in pleasure she was shocked to realize that his other hand was on her other nipple; and he was gently stroking and causing her even more pleasure. She suddenly couldn't get enough air as she panted, with the fires of passion racing through her body. She was sure that the pleasurable release that she got only from her own hand, was about to wash over her when he moved away from her nipples. She tried to pull him back, but he wouldn't come. She was frustrated with him, but she knew that one way or the other she would feel that pleasure again that night. Even if it meant that she had to wait until it was quiet and give it to herself, and bite her tongue to stop from crying out in the darkness. She had done it often enough as a young girl, but had never had the urge when she was married to Little Buffalo. She gasped in pleasure again when she first felt the soft, pleasurable sensation of his tongue as it grazed the most sensitive place on her body. She had never dreamed, or even heard of somebody doing something like this before. But the feelings were not only returning again, but even quicker and stronger than before. It was then that she felt the entry into her body. She knew that it must have been his finger, but oh it felt so good to have something in there. She realized that it was the only time, that she had ever felt any desire to have a man enter her body. But desire was not the word. She realized that it was much stronger than that. Her body demanded that she take him into her body. She knew that if he didn't do it soon, then she would be forced to beg him to do it. At first the thought repulsed her, but then she realized that even the thought of begging to this man was pleasurable. She didn't know what it was about him, but she didn't care. Fighting Hawk heard her begging him, just as Gray Eagle said that it would happen. And he knew that Gray Eagle was right about something else, it was a lot more fun than it sounded to do these things. He position himself at her slippery entrance and as he pushed Moon Flower was shocked that there was no pain as it went in. There had always been pain, at least until she got wet enough to make it tolerable. But his time not only was there no pain, but the pleasure got only better with each thrust of his throbbing shaft. Quickly she felt the lovely feeling washing through her body, and knew that this time was going to be better than any of the others. The men had always held her legs up to get in farther and deeper, and she had let them. Now she found herself holding her legs up herself, for the same reasons, but this time each thrust drove her closer to another of the wonderful feelings that she desired so much. But no matter how fast she moved her hips, or how deep the thrust went it stayed just out of her reach. She found herself begging him again, but not even knowing what she was begging him for. Then she felt the flood of the hot sticky syrup that signaled the end of her torment. Now it signaled the end of her pleasure, but not before she felt that feeling wash over her again. It was so strong that it took her breath away, and she wondered if she would live through it, then she didn't care anymore. As long as she could feel like this she was willing to die. As the last of his syrup leaked into her body Fighting Hawk lay down on top of Moon Flower. She felt the weight of his body and loved the feel. It was another first for her, and she luxuriated in the sensation. She felt things for him that she had never felt before. It made her almost cry when she felt his soft shaft slip from her hot hole, and she wanted it back. She wanted to feel all of the things that she had felt all over again; over and over. She knew that she would do anything that he asked of her, just to feel those feelings again. She didn't even realize when she fell asleep, but Fighting Hawk heard the change of her breathing and knew that she was asleep. He shifted his weight, and moved off of her. She groaned her disappointment in her sleep, but she didn't wake. He covered them both up and listened to the rapid breathing coming from the other blankets in the lodge. He wasn't surprised to hear soft moans followed by the breathing of sleep. He smiled to himself as he realized that Gray Eagle had been right again. It was much better when you did it with love in your heart. The next morning he found Moon Flower simpering over him, and he was amused. He also noticed that the girls were constantly going into a huddle trying to find out what had happened, but they didn't understand the language well enough to get the information. It was a lesson in frustration. It also motivated the girls to start asking question about learning the language. Fighting Hawk helped when he could and they seemed to find new ways to learn as quickly as possible. Fighting Hawk smiled at their enthusiasm. The next night Bright Dove mimicked Moon Flower's actions, and was rewarded with a similar performance. When Fighting Hawk looked over at Moon Flower he knew that she was watching, and her heavy breathing was obvious. He told her to uncover her body and she did instantly. He then told her to use her fingers on herself. She was slow to respond, but once she got started, she didn't care who saw her. She watched every movement with Bright Dove and Fighting Hawk heard her reach her peak several times. When he looked at the sisters, they were also uncovered and busy with their own activities. He was glad that they could enjoy themselves. When Bright Dove could take no more she begged him to stop, saying that it was so good that it caused her pain. Fighting Hawk was concerned and quickly stopped. As soon as he did, she instantly fell asleep, exhausted. He smiled at her and hoped that her body would soon recover more of its strength. With a hard cock he looked at the sisters, and Moon Flower moaned again. He moved over to lie between Morning Star's soft legs, and showed her the pleasure of a soft tongue. When she had reached her peak, he shifted to Midnight Star and gave her the same treatment. As he moved from between her legs he heard Moon Flower begging for him, and thought that he might have a solution. He positioned Midnight over Morning and instructed them on the fine arts of licking a hot soft piece of female flesh. When they were well into the task he moved over to Moon Flower and allowed her to climb on top of him and satisfy a desire of her own, as she watched the sisters racing to peak after peak of pleasure. She decided that she really wanted to give that a try another time. When she asked Fighting Hawk about it, he smiled and said that as long as one woman was available, the others could amuse themselves all night. Moon Flower grinned at him and wondered why no other men understood women so well. She was sure that he was really more than an ordinary man. ------- Chapter 5: The Face of the Enemy It was almost a week later that Fighting Hawk got the word that a wagon train was coming toward their mountain range. Gray Eagle said that they still had a week before the train would be close enough to worry about. Fighting Hawk thought that it would be better to know more about them, and said that he wanted to leave now and scout the wagon train. Gray Eagle looked worried, but knew that he had to show trust in his son. He reluctantly agreed and arranged to have messengers waiting every day. Fighting Hawk nodded and prepared to leave. Hard riding brought him to the crest of the mountain in four days. He found the scouts and they pointed out the wagon train. He saw the slow movement inching their way through the wooded trails. He estimated where they would be that night and moved off on foot. When he reached the place, he settled down to sleep. He woke with a start. As he listened he heard the distant sounds of wagons creaking through the woods. He quickly checked for any signs that he might have made, and then moved off quietly to watch. He found that it wasn't necessary, they were blind and deaf to anything but themselves, and made so much noise that the scouts had to go almost five miles just to hunt game. It was the scouts that were the real problem, but once close to the wagon train, any sounds were ignored. They didn't think that anyone would get that close. Fighting Hawk realized that normally they would be right. It only took two days before he had identified the leaders, the scouts and the wagon-master. He knew where they slept and what their routine was. He could casually walk and watch everything going on in the wagon train. He watched their progress and listened to their plans. He knew when they would cross the peak, and when they planned to rest. He was ready to leave, but decided to wait and watch a little more. He knew that there would be many captives out of this train. He even made a few choices for himself. When they were ready to start down the back side of the mountain Fighting Hawk used their distracted attention to calmly walk over the peak and on to the waiting Cheyenne. Gray Eagle looked concerned that he had not returned before now. He shrugged and said that he was having fun and it was not a real concern, as they were stupid and a herd of buffalo wouldn't be noticed until it caught up to the last wagon. Gray Eagle smiled and nodded his head. Fighting Hawk squatted down and began to draw out the wagon train as they camped. It was always the same as each person had their place. He showed them where the scouts slept, and where the wagon-master slept, then he pointed out the wagons of the leaders. He explained who must die first, as they would be the most dangerous. Gray Eagle watched and nodded at the information. He asked questions that were important, and asked how Fighting Hawk planned to lead the attack. He had almost forgotten that it was to be his job. He explained that they needed to wait for two days and catch them early in the morning. It would take two days to get all of the wagons down the mountain, and then they planned a rest. That was the time to strike. Gray Eagle told him to make his plans and prepare his men. Fighting Hawk had a small idea forming and said that he wanted to talk to Gray Eagle later. Gray Eagle nodded his understanding. Fighting Hawk then picked out the ones that he wanted to go with him and arranged the others in four groups. Each had their specific targets. Once he had everybody prepared, he gave his last order, "I want all bows and spears left behind. We will only use knives and clubs." It drew looks of concern from almost everybody, but Fighting Hawk asked them if they were Cheyenne warriors or children. It silenced their objections, but they still didn't like it. Fighting Hawk left to talk to Gray Eagle. When the morning came, Fighting Hawk woke the warriors two hours before sun rise. They were surprised, but he explained that he wanted everybody in position in an hour before sunrise without any sound. They all nodded their heads. An hour later the small group that he had prepared was ready. On the signal the group moved quietly into the camp. All of the scouts died without waking up. Fighting Hawk slipped his knife into the wagon-master's throat and watched the life drain from his body. He was surprised how easy it was. He had thought that it would have been harder. Two of the warriors had a difficult task. The sentries were the ones awake to keep guard, and to give the alarm in the case of trouble, and there was no way to tell where they would be. One was found asleep, and never woke up. The other was drinking coffee at a watch fire. Fighting Hawk walked quietly up behind him and pushed his knife deep into his back. He reached for his musket, but Fighting Hawk kicked it away. He died quietly. Fighting Hawk put the man over his shoulder and carried him from the camp. There was nobody in the camp that looked dead. To any early risers it would just be an empty camp. They waited until the first rays of sunlight. On that signal, the Cheyenne warriors moved quietly into the camp from four sides. The occupants of the wagons were quickly clubbed and then passed into the camp into groups. When sunrise came there had not been a shot fired, and the Cheyenne warriors were in control of everyone. Gray Eagle walked into the camp and looked around. Everyone could see that he was impressed with the action. He smiled broadly at Fighting Hawk, who returned a sheepish grin. When the men started to come around, their own muskets were pointed at them. They knew that their situation was grave. There were thirty men in the group and Fighting Hawk collected thirty knives. Gray Eagle looked concerned, but said nothing. Fighting Hawk explained the situation to the men, "All of you but one is going to die. If you want to be that one then you have to kill the others, the last man standing lives. If you want to try to run then we will shoot you where you stand. Either way you will be dead." He threw the knives into the group. Once the shock wore off, one of the men picked up a knife and shoved it deep into the man beside him. That was all that it took. It was a matter of survival. The women and children watched the carnage in shock. It only took five minutes before one sweating and bloody man stood standing. Fighting Hawk looked at him. He pointed to the mountain, "Home is that way, get moving." He started for a horse, and a musket blocked his way. "I said get moving, if you don't start now, I will kill you myself." He looked around and took off at a run. Fighting Hawk nodded to a warrior and he loped off after him. Ten minutes later he was back. Fighting Hawk nodded to the group of older boys and gave the order to kill them. The warriors moved in and knives flashed. Bodies dropped in most cases before they even knew what was going on. That left only the small children and the women. Fighting Hawk walked over and took his pick of the women. He chose two. He then tied their hands and then tied the ropes to the back of a wagon. Each of the men in the advanced party also picked two and did the same thing. The one that ran after the survivor then got to pick next. Then the rest of the warriors got to pick until there were none left. It was obvious that it paid to be in the advanced party. You took more chances, but you got bigger rewards. The children that were going to be taken were loaded into the wagon. The rest were killed. Fighting Hawk ordered the dead children and older boys picked up and scattered throughout the camp. He ordered them to leave no marks of dragging a body. When they were finished He ordered the wagons searched and he was very specific that the wagons not look like they had been searched. "When you leave it, make it look like it did before you went in there." Gray Eagle looked confused. Fighting Hawk went to talk to him, "Is something the matter father?" Gray Eagle waved his arms around, "Why do all of this when we are going to burn it anyways?" Fighting Hawk smiled and said, "Because we are not going to burn anything. There are no arrows in anything. Look around you father, what does this look like to you, if you have just walked into an empty camp?" Gray Eagle looked around and thought. He eyes got big and the look frightened him. "Yes father, it looks like that they killed each other, still with knives in their hands. Why would they do that? Maybe sickness or maybe they were crazy. But no matter what it is, it will make people think that something happened to them, and it wasn't Cheyenne. It will make them scared of everything, and it might help to slow them; from coming here." Gray Eagle was impressed. He said that it was a great plan, and he wished that he had thought of it. And you didn't lose a single warrior. There will be songs about you around the celebration fire for a long time. Fighting Hawk shrugged, and then he said, "We can do the same thing again, and each time it will spread more fear through them." Two hours later they set off; one wagon with captives and one with goods taken. Fighting Hawk checked each wagon himself, before they started out. The women didn't fare very well, but he knew that they would live through it; the others had. That night he did his duty in front of everyone. He raped one of the women, and a few hours later he raped the other. Each night he raped the women. He started receiving offers for them even before the trip was over. One he sold, the other he kept, until he reached the camp. She was sold the same night. Fighting Hawk found that the practice of rape sickened him. Moon Flower and the girls sensed his mood and left him alone for a couple of days. Each day he felt a little better, when he knew that he wouldn't have to do that again. It had been three weeks that he had been gone, and he decided that he needed to go hunting. After returning with two deer he had Moon Flower and the girls passing out the extra meat. He knew that while he was gone that the widows and orphans had gone hungry. Moon Flower said that they had done what they could, but there was only so much to go around. He nodded and told her to tell them that there would be extra for a while. They would need to jerk or salt it to prepare for the hard times. They nodded and set out about the business. Gray Eagle had been right. There were songs around the celebration fire about the great victory. Fighting Hawk knew that it was mostly planning and some luck, but they didn't care, it was still a great victory. He smiled and accepted the praise, and got away as soon as he could. Little Buffalo had never let Moon Flower or the girls go to the celebration fire, and they were all excited. They never noticed when Fighting Hawk slipped away, and a while later, when they returned he was asleep. He heard them come in, but he preferred to remain asleep. He had received enough praise for the death of so many. It had to be done, but he didn't have to like it. When he spoke to Gray Eagle about it, Gray Eagle had nodded his head and said that it was good that he felt that way. It showed that he cared about life, but it was something that had to be tolerated, because it was something that had to be done. Fighting Hawk nodded, but he still didn't have to like it. There were warriors coming to Fighting Hawk asking to be in the advanced party for the next raid. Fighting Hawk told them that he would consider it. He was surprised at the number of warriors that wanted to be in the advanced party. When they found that Fighting Hawk would not immediately agree, many went to Gray Eagle and asked. Fighting Hawk smiled when Gray Eagle told them that Fighting Hawk would chose the advanced party. Fighting Hawk knew that hunting a large amount of deer would make it hard for the village to survive the winter, so he announced a competition to choose the advanced party. All of the warriors that wanted the honor showed up. There were some that would not be going on the raid. Some were too old or injured and those, Fighting Hawk sent on a special mission. He then met with the warriors and told them that the ones that were chosen would be best hunters. He explained that they had to go at least over one mountain and return with at least one deer. The first to return, the biggest deer, and the most deer, all of these things would help him decide who would be in the advanced party. But he reminded them again, that they had to go at least one mountain away, and if you couldn't be the first to return, then you should get the biggest or the most. The warriors raced from the village, yelling and screaming with happiness. Gray Eagle asked about the reason for the rules. Fighting Hawk smiled and said that he didn't want the village to suffer when winter came and there was no game close by. Gray Eagle smiled and asked what he was going to do with all of the meat that they would bring back. Fighting Hawk smiled again and told him that the widows were preparing to jerk and salt meat to see them through the hard times to come. Gray Eagle smiled proudly as he walked away. When the first deer showed up Fighting Hawk marked down his name. He then called an older widow with three boys, and the deer vanished. When the next deer arrived, both Fighting Hawk and the warrior estimated the weight and he noted the information. A widow with two girls came and the deer vanished. Fighting Hawk also told him that since he wasn't the first, he might wish to go back out and hunt for more. The warrior nodded and was gone. For the next few days, this was the activity of the village. As soon as a warrior showed up, the deer vanished and usually the warrior went back out. Moon Flower and the girls helped all of the widows. Soon there were warriors returning with many deer tied to the backs of their horses. Fighting Hawk noted each warrior, and the amount of the deer. Each deer went to one of the lodges. One was given to each of the men doing the special job for Fighting Hawk. When enough time had been reached, he told the warriors that they could not go back out as they had been given enough time. So they waited for all of them to return, and to see who would be chosen. After the last warrior had returned, and the deer were passed out to the lodges, Fighting Hawk waited for the return of the other men. Once they entered the village Fighting Hawk sent them to Gray Eagle's lodge to wait. When all of them had returned, Fighting Hawk called all of them to the council fire. All of the warriors were waiting for the news. Fighting Hawk had each of the men tell what they had seen. Three of the warriors had not gone all the way to the next mountain; their deer were scratched from the list. One warrior stole the kill of another warrior. This caused a fight, and Fighting Hawk adjusted the count. After the fight was over and the adjustments were made, Fighting Hawk announced that he was pleased that most of them were honorable in the competition. He then gave them the list of the advanced party. He also told the advanced party that he wanted them ready to go with him when he moved out on the next raid. If anyone felt that it was unfair, they never said it. Fighting Hawk started working with the advanced party. They went out at night and worked at walking quietly in the dark. They worked at slipping up on each other as they slept. They learned to always be on their guard. When Fighting Hawk was satisfied, then they headed back to the village to wait for the next wagon train. When they returned, Moon Flower and the girls were in a fit of excitement. They had now become the envy of the village. The greatness of Fighting Hawk was well known. His sense of honor, generosity and kindness were spreading all through the village, and the women were listening to the tales of his nightly activities. Stories of pleasure crossed the female lips, never to touch men's ears. But they touched the ears of Gray Eagle, through Water Lilly. It wasn't quick, but Gray Eagle saw the restlessness forming in the women in the village. He knew that a warrior owned his squaw, be also knew that he ate the food that she cooked, and wore the clothes that she made, and a hundred other things that she did. From his own disagreements as a married man, he knew the trouble that an unhappy squaw could cause. He smiled at the warriors of the village, as their women scowled. Fighting Hawk eased into his blankets. It had been a strange day. As soon as he and the advanced party were in the village the widows descended like a flock of vultures. He assumed that they were happy about the security that they now had, but they were dressed in their best dresses and making eyes at him. He smiled and talked with each one, wishing them happiness and good fortune, and trying to keep their hands off of him. He noticed that they seemed determined to hold onto him, no matter what he did. As soon as he managed to get free of one, another grabbed him. When Bright Dove saw him, she ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck and covering him with kisses. Fighting Hawk felt embarrassed at her actions, but the women suddenly vanished. It didn't stop the smirks of the warriors, but there were a few looks of envy there as well. Once Fighting Hawk pried her off of his neck, he told her that she shouldn't do things like that when people were watching. She laughed and said that was why she did it, she wanted everybody to know that she had missed him and was glad to see him. Fighting Hawk didn't know what to say, so he turned her toward the lodge and swatted her ass to get her moving. She giggled like a little girl, before she scampered off to tell the others that he had returned. Fighting Hawk wasn't sure if he would survive the embarrassment if the others acted like Bright Dove. He went to sit at the cook fire of his father. Once settled Water Lilly brought Micca, the fermented juice of the berries. It was not considered proper for a squaw to sit at a fire with a warrior when anyone could see. Water Lilly whispered to him as she poured his drink. "Gray Eagle will be out soon, you should wait. Once again you have been busy. You make his life hard, but he enjoys the things that you do. He is very proud of you, and so am I. You are doing good things for the Cheyenne people, especially the women. He often says that he could not have been more proud of you if you had come from my body." Fighting Hawk suddenly though that it was strange that Gray Eagle had never had a child of his own, and before he could stop himself he asked, "Why have you never given a child to Gray Eagle?" He was sorry that he had asked, when the saw the look on her face. He was going to apologize when she said, "I was a captive too. I was captured young, and it did something to my body. I cannot give Gray Eagle a child." Fighting Hawk knew the pain that she must feel. She turned to leave, and Fighting Hawk stood. He said quietly, "Water Lilly, I am sorry to give you this pain. But, since Gray Eagle has taken me for his son, can I take you for my mother?" He waited to see if he had offended her. He knew that she was not a white woman, and hoped that she would not be offended. She turned and looked at him. Tears were in her eyes, but none were on her face. She threw her small body around him in a fierce hug, and said "I will tell your father that you are here, son." Then she was gone. Fighting Hawk sat down to wait. He was still a little confused about the whole thing, but he knew that she had been happy for a moment. It was a little later that Gray Eagle sat at the cook fire. He looked at Fighting Hawk for a long time. "Water Lilly will not be joining us. She is crying." Fighting Hawk was concerned and tried to apologize, but Gray Eagle held up his hand. "Son, there are times that tears are good. It is hard to understand, but women are like that. We might never be able to understand them, but in time you will learn that anytime there are tears, they should be in your arms. If they send you away, they will come to find you when they are ready." Fighting Hawk nodded that he understood the words, but not the why behind them. He shrugged as he shook his head, and Gray Eagle laughed. "Water Lilly told me that you have asked her to be your mother. You can never be the baby in her arms, but to be called mother is a dream that she has always had. You have given her that dream, and for that we both thank you." Fighting Hawk saw that Gray Eagle also had a problem with his eyes. He lifted his cup and finished his drink. Stood and turned to leave. "I will go now, and tomorrow I visit with my father and mother again." He left before his eyes started to act up. ------- Chapter 6 As he walked through the camp he noticed one of the younger boys. He was bigger than the others, and Fighting Hawk watched as he took a toy from one of the smaller children. Fighting Hawk had his bow off of his shoulder and swung it. The end caught the boy in the back of the head, and he found himself with his face in the dirt. Fighting Hawk stood and watched as the boy came up looking for a fight. When he saw Fighting Hawk he paled and dropped his fists to his side. Fighting Hawk considered him. He was only a couple of years younger than himself. "Do you think that just because you are bigger that you can take whatever you want?" The boy looked at him and said, "Why not, if I can take it." Fighting Hawk could see that he needed to handle this differently. He quickly grabbed the boy and ripped the toy from his hand. He handed it to the younger boy. He then stripped the boy's britches from his body and left him sitting naked in the dirt. The other children were giggling, and there were a few outright laughs. The boy looked around in horror. Fighting Hawk smiled at him, "Well, I am bigger than you, and I want these, so I guess that it is okay if I take them." The boy had tears in his eyes as he looked at the other boys laughing at him. Fighting Hawk knew that there were other eyes watching from lodge flaps, now. The boy asked for his britches back, and Fighting Hawk pitched them to him. He then told the boy to take him to his lodge. On the way to the lodge he asked the boy; "Was it right for me to take your britches?" He heard the embarrassment and anger in the boy's words, "No! They were mine, and everybody saw you do that to me." Fighting Hawk smiled as he answered him, "Yes, but I was bigger and stronger, and I could. Just like you did; right in front of everybody, so that they could see it." The boy looked up sharply at him, he was not as sure of himself and the anger wasn't as strong, "But that was different" Fighting Hawk shook his head and said, "It was only different because it happened to you, and not somebody else. What is right is right for everybody, and what is wrong is wrong for everybody. Before you do anything, think about how you would feel and if you would like it to happen to you, and then go ahead." The boy looked up at him, "What I did wasn't right, but what you did wasn't right either." Fighting Hawk smiled and said, "No, it wasn't, but you wouldn't have listened to me if I didn't show you that it was wrong, would you?" The boy didn't answer, but shook his head. When they approached a small lodge at the side of the village Fighting Hawk recognized one of the widows, and knew from the look on her face that it was not the first time that he had been brought to her. She looked tired, and sad as she stood before Fighting Hawk and lowered her head. It was something that happened when you had to live at the expense of others. Before she could speak Fighting Hawk said, "So, is this young man the man of the lodge?" The question surprised her and made her pause. She nodded, but kept her head demurely lowered. "This young man has impressed me with his ability to see the truth in things. I think that one day he will be a good warrior." For the first time, the woman raised her head and looked into his eyes. She looked to see if he mocked her. When she saw that he was serious she had a look of pride, as she once again lowered her head. "You are very kind to say such things, but he causes me great trouble." Fighting Hawk laughed as he said, "Yes, great men cause great trouble as young boys. I only wish that I had caused more myself." He watched as she puffed up a little bigger. Fighting Hawk then said, "Tomorrow, with the first rays of the sun I will be going hunting. I wonder if your son would like to go with me. It will not be an easy job, and he will have to work hard, but of course I would be willing to share what we kill." He had not expected the reaction that he got. "If you wish to give me charity, leave it at my lodge door in the night. Don't come here and make me beg you." Fighting Hawk was surprised at her reaction. "If you don't want your son hunting with me, I understand. But what I said is true. We will hunt and he will work hard, and he will earn everything that he gets from me. I offer you no charity. You have offended me." Fighting Hawk held his ground and waited for her words. "I am sorry Fighting Hawk that I have offended you. If he will earn his share I would be honored for him to hunt with you. Charity is a dark stain on my soul, and it turns my words bitter. You are a good man, and your women let me hold my head up after I take your meat. You deserve better from me." Fighting Hawk saw the pain in her face and smiled at her. "I accept your apology. I will never offer charity to anyone. If they want charity, then they will have to come to me and ask for it. If I come to you, I will get something for my trouble, there will be no charity between us." He saw the pride return to her face, and she nodded. She looked to her son with pride again. "Big Cloud will be ready with the first rays of the sun." Fighting Hawk nodded and turned to leave. That night in his blankets Fighting Hawk saw the stars in all their glory. Events had not worked well to spend much time with them, but they made sure that this night was not to be the same. He had barely settled into his blankets when Midnight Star slipped naked beside him. She was followed quickly by Morning Star. They worked together and stripped him before he knew that it had happened. Their hunger was clear on their faces. As he took the little girls into his arms he saw Bright Dove remove her dress and crawl into Moon Flower's blankets. He knew that this night would be filled with pleasure for all. Then his face was covered with Morning Star's lips. He lost himself as he enjoyed the pleasure of her kisses. When he ran his hand down to explore the hot petals of her sex, he found that Midnight's hands were already there. She moved to allow him to explore the hot depths of her tender opening. Her wet sticky lips parted easily to his fingers as he delved into her mound. She moaned her pleasure as his tongue raced around her mouth, and he felt another pair of lips slipping over his hard shaft. He moaned his own pleasure as his other hand found the slippery lips of Midnight's mound. Her body was kneeling to give him pleasure and it made it easy for him to sink his fingers deep into her mound. He felt the vibrations of her appreciation on his shaft. His fingers plunging into each of their bodies were driving them close to their peaks, and he was surprised when they both suddenly broke away from him. When he started to move they both pushed him back down onto his back. His vision was suddenly blocked as Morning slipped her leg across his body and settled her wet, slick lips of her hot mound down to his mouth. His nose probed the little pucker of her anal rosebud. She gave an excited gasp as his tongue probed her hot tunnel. As he pushed his tongue deeply into her, he felt Midnight settle herself onto his hips, with his shaft buried deep in her body. His moan of pleasure brought a squeal of delight from Morning's lips. Midnight began a quick stroke, rolling her hips as she plunged down on each stroke. Fighting Hawk felt a tightness that he had never felt before. No woman or girl had ever felt this hot, tight and slippery. When he had raped a virgin, it had been tight, but not hot or slippery. She had fought like an animal, and he had enjoyed the battle, but that was all that he had really enjoyed. There was no passion, or willingness to give pleasure, just a hole to be used. The post women were usually slippery, but not from arousal, and they didn't care about moving. Only these women had ever cared about his pleasure, and he realized that it was because he cared about theirs. He knew that the other warriors in the village were fools. They never gave anything, and they would never get anything in return. He couldn't help but to thrust up to meet her strokes, making the contact hard and even painful as their bodies slapped together, but Midnight only squealed her pleasure and drove even harder onto his shaft. The pace was fast and furious, and Fighting Hawk knew that he would never be able to hold back his release. It was approaching too fast, and there was no way that he could slow her down. She was pounding her body and screaming as they slammed together. Suddenly he felt his climax thundering through his body and he slammed his hips up as hard as he could and remained motionless; his muscles locked as he deposited his hot seed deep into her shivering body. As his muscles relaxed and he lowered them to the ground, she slipped from his body to lie at his side. Fighting Hawk suddenly could see again, and breathe the rich cool air. He had not realized that Morning had blocked his air in her excitement, until he suddenly filled his lungs with the sweet fresh air. His head swam as the oxygen raced through his body making him feel alive through every fiber of his being. Morning was suddenly astride his hips just as Midnight had been. He was still hard, but wondered if he would stay that way. He had never tried this before and didn't know what would happen. As she slipped his shaft slowly up and down her hot, wet tunnel he felt the same sensations that he had felt when Midnight had been riding him, and the same excitement. He didn't think that he would go soft before she was done with him. As Morning raised her hard tight body, he felt her muscles deep inside her tighten around him and squeeze him. When she eased back down, the muscles relaxed and it felt like soft furs lightly caressing his shaft. He could see that she wanted her pleasure differently than Midnight. Where Midnight wanted every bit of sensation all at once, Morning wanted hers slowly and to last as long as she could make it. Fighting Hawk watched as Morning leaned down and licked her wet sticky juices from his face. Then they kissed and shared the thick, rich brew. It was during the kiss that he suddenly realized that she tasted different. He had tasted all of their delightful mounds, and it had always been thin and oily. Now as he tasted her juices, they were thick and rich with flavor. He knew then that when a woman reached her peak she also fired her seed. As he thought about it he realized that she didn't fire anything, so he concluded that it must come from deep in her body. That was why he had never tasted it before. He had never stayed long enough after her peak to taste the wonderfully rich juices that worked their way out of her body. He could tell that Morning knew of the wonderful experience from the way that she had attacked his face to clean it off of him. He was sure that in the future he would not make this same mistake again, and vowed to spend a lot more time exploring things to see if there was anything else the he might have been missing. He also made a mental note to ask Gray Eagle why he had neglected to tell him about this very important development. Morning rode Fighting Hawk slowly and gently. Each time that he looked to be getting close to his peak she would slow and stop until he once again was breathing normally. Then she would start the slow movements of pleasure. Even with her stopping, there came a time where his pleasure could not be held back any longer. When Morning saw that the time had come, she was suddenly a blur of speed and motion. Twisting and clinching the muscles of her mound on his shaft; with her hips moving first one way, and then the other. The sensations filling Fighting Hawk's brain caused him to spew his juices so hard that he was sure that they would hurt her in their violence. As he looked into her eyes he saw the love and rapture that she felt, and knew that he was looking into her very soul. As the sensations left her the cloud came over her eyes again. Then he understood why this was an act of love. At that time, everybody would bare their soul to the person that they were with, and these were not things that you wanted everyone to know about you. He watched as Morning smiled sweetly at him as she lay down on his body. She snuggled her face on his chest, as she pulled the blankets around them; then she closed her eyes. Fighting Hawk listened as her breathing clanged to the slow deep breathing of sleep, as his shaft was still tightly encased in her warm body. He smiled and closed his own eyes. He awoke to a strange sensation. He wasn't sure what he was feeling, but it did feel nice. Then he understood. Morning was still sleeping on his chest, and his semi-hard shaft was still resting in her tight little mound, but there was something else; he could feel a soft tongue working its way around their bodies. When he looked down all that he could see was Morning's back, but as he looked around he knew that it had to be Midnight. She was no longer sleeping beside them. He felt his shaft gently pulled from her body, but it was immediately engulfed in a hot mouth. He had felt this enough to know that it was Midnight sucking the juices from his hard shaft. He almost groaned as she let it slip from her mouth, and felt her moving farther between their bodies. Then he knew that she was licking and sucking Morning's wet mound. He heard her moan softly in her sleep. Then she mumbled, "Not now Mid, I'm still sleepy." He smiled as Midnight slipped from under the blankets. She was embarrassed as she saw that Fighting Hawk was awake. He spoke softly, "Well, do you wake her like that every morning?" She blushed, but nodded her head. She gave him a coy smile, "I can never get enough of her, but having yours mixed with her was yummy." He could tell that to admit that had made her blush even harder. He pulled her close to him, and kissed her before falling back to sleep. When he woke, they were still lying in the same position. He was stiff, but moved slowly so as not to wake the girls. It was slow and awkward to get Morning's arms from around him without waking her, but as soon as she felt Midnight she pulled her close and they both sighed in pleasure. He smiled at them as he moved to get his hunting gear. He saw Moon Flower's eyes peeking from the blanket, where she snuggled with Bright Dove. He whispered to her, "I am going hunting with a young man in the village. I will be back in the afternoon." She nodded, but didn't move. He kissed a finger and touched it to her cheek, and then turned to leave the lodge. He walked silently through the village. The sky was light, but it was still a little before the first rays of the sun. He loved this time of the day. It was peaceful and quiet. He sat before the lodge and waited. He watched the birds, and listened to the sounds of the village waking up. At the first rays of the sun, the lodge flaps parted and an excited boy emerged. He saw Fighting Hawk sitting at the cook fire. He had added a few sticks of wood while he waited, and it was warm by the fire. Fighting Hawk watched as his mother followed him out of the lodge. She was surprised to see that he was waiting, and that he had got the fire going again. Fighting Hawk waited until she was sure that her son was ready to go. As he rose she said, "Thank you, it means a lot to him. You will look after him, won't you?" Fighting Hawk smiled and nodded, and then they were off. Big Cloud had wanted to run, but Fighting Hawk explained that they were going hunting, and that the noise of running would scare the game. Big Cloud immediately settled in to a cautious walk beside Fighting Hawk. He tried to walk quietly, but found that he constantly stepped on twigs and brush, even when he was sure that they weren't there before he put his foot down. He was amazed that Fighting Hawk never looked down, and he never seemed the step on anything that would make a sound. The morning passed quickly as Fighting Hawk showed the signs of rabbit, squirrel, fox and deer. He taught Big Cloud how to tell which were fresh and how to track the animal. When Big Cloud tracked a rabbit to its hole, Fighting Hawk handed him a knife. He told him how to scare the rabbit from his hole, and told him that he expected Big Cloud to kill the rabbit. He got the rabbit from the hole, but ended up chasing the rabbit. The rabbit outran him easily. Fighting Hawk smiled at the antics. Big Cloud was disappointed as he returned empty handed. Fighting Hawk had him sit and explained what he had done wrong. He also explained that the rabbit would not come back to that hole for a long time, and he would have to track another rabbit. It was late in the morning before Big Cloud was ready to try again. He took his time and made sure that everything was just right. This time he got his rabbit. It wasn't as easy as he had thought, but he had gotten the rabbit. When Big Cloud tried to return the knife Fighting Hawk asked if he liked the knife. Big Cloud's eyes got big and he said that it was the best knife that he had ever held. Fighting Hawk asked if he wanted to buy the knife. Big Cloud shook his head and explained that he had nothing that he could offer. Fighting Hawk thought for a minute, and offered the knife for six rabbit skins, but all had to be cleaned and tanned. Big Cloud said that he didn't have any skins. Fighting Hawk smiled again and said that he had one, and with a knife he could get five more. He said that he would give him a week to get the skins, but he had to skin and tan the hides himself. Big Cloud agreed, but admitted that he didn't know how to do that. Fighting Hawk said that for the first one, he could get his mother to show him how to do it. So the deal was made. As they continued their hunt, Fighting Hawk started to follow the trail of a boar. It was rare in this area, and he wanted to track it. He cautioned Big Cloud of the dangers and they set off. About an hour later they found the boar. Fighting Hawk knew that the hide was too thick to kill with an arrow, but it was all that he had. He decided on a plan. The first arrow went through the hind leg. Since the boar couldn't run, he worked himself around to get a shot at the other leg. Once both hind legs had arrows stopping the boar from moving he cut a small tree limb and sharpened it into a spear. Then he walked up to the boar and ran it through the neck. Big Cloud then learned the rest of his lesson; when you kill the animal, you have to be able to get it back to the village. He watched as Fighting Hawk picked two long tree limbs and shaved the branches off. When he had his poles, he tied the boar to the poles, and used more vines to make a harness, to pull the boar behind him. It was slow going, and Fighting Hawk asked Big Cloud if he wanted to scout ahead and check for more rabbits. He got a big grin, and a nod of his head. Fighting Hawk warned him that warriors never leave one another for long, in case of trouble. If he went too far away and was needed then it could be trouble. Big Cloud nodded gravely at his responsibility. They had traveled about three miles from the village, and Fighting Hawk wasn't sure that he had the strength to make it that far with the boar, but his pride wouldn't allow him to leave it until he got a horse. His big words were coming back to plague him. So he put one foot in front of the other, and pulled the boar behind him. It reminded him of the time in the wagon train and pulling on the horses all day. It was slow going, and he found himself thinking of other things, and his movements were automatic; it made the pain in his muscles easier to ignore. He noticed that Big Cloud had been gone longer than he should have. He didn't want to stop and go look for him, so he decided to give him a little longer before he had to do it. Just when he had decided that he couldn't put it off any longer, Big Cloud appeared with another rabbit in hand. He had the look of a proud hunter. Fighting Hawk smiled at the rabbit, but told him that he had been gone too long. He had to remember the rules of the hunt. Big Cloud was embarrassed that he had forgotten, but promised that he would do better. They set off toward the village. It was getting late in the afternoon when they finally made it to the village. Fighting Hawk didn't think that he had the energy to go another foot, but he forced himself to continue. He was glad that Big Cloud's lodge was on the outside of the village. Any advantage was greatly appreciated by Fighting Hawk. When they made it to the lodge Fighting Hawk was glad to stop and rest. Big Cloud's mother, Pretty Storm (or as close as I could get to the translation), was getting worried. When she saw the boar she was shocked. She didn't want to accept the rabbits either, until Fighting Hawk explained the Big Cloud had tracked and killed them himself, and they belonged to him. She wasn't happy about the knife either, but Fighting Hawk explained that it was not a good knife, and they had settled on a price. Big Cloud explained the payment, and Pretty Storm finally agreed. Fighting Hawk thought that her name should have been Thunder Storm; she had the temperament. He left the boar as he returned to the lodge. He told Moon Flower and Bright Dove to take a horse and go and collect it. He then headed to the river to wash. Once he was in the water he felt better. His tired and aching muscles relaxed and he felt like he could go to sleep there, and almost did. He shook himself awake and climbed from the river. By the time that he got back to the lodge Moon Flower was already making short work of the boar. Fighting Hawk took a hind leg and said that he was going to see Gray Eagle. She nodded absently as she worked. Bright Dove giggled and said the she would remind her when she was finished. Fighting Hawk shook his head and headed off through the village. Fighting Hawk sat at the cook fire and politely coughed. Water Lilly was instantly out of the lodge. She was shocked at the size of the leg. Fighting Hawk said, "It is a gift for my parents, to share in their son's good fortune." She kissed him on the top of the head, and then she hit him on the back of the head as she took the leg to prepare it for cooking. Gray Eagle just laughed at Fighting Hawk's confused expression, as he rubbed his head. They talked about the boar and his hunting trip. Gray Eagle was surprised that he had taken an interest in Big Cloud. Fighting Hawk said that he had an idea, and wanted to see if it would work, before he told Gray Eagle about it. Gray Eagle just smiled and said something about 'busy again.' That night at the cook fire Fighting Hawk mentioned that old Pony Walk was said to be the best that there was at tanning hides. Moon Flower nodded her head and waited to see what he had in mind. He motioned to the boar's hide and said that he wanted Moon Flower to take the hide to Pony Walk and bargain for him to tan the hide. He said that the tough hide would make a good moccasin, but that he wanted the inside as soft as a rabbit pelt. Moon Flower looked at him, she had hoped that he knew the she could tan the hide, and felt that he didn't trust her to do the job. Fighting Hawk saw the hurt look in her face and said, "Moon Flower, Pony Walk is an old man who has no family. He can no longer hunt. Do you think his pride is any less important than the widows of the village?" His look showed her that this was not about her, and she felt embarrassed that she had seen so little of his plan. He also said that some of the knives were in poor condition. He would like to have all of them sharp enough to remove the hair on his arm. He said that Crazy Beaver always had a good sharp knife, and maybe he would be willing to do the job, if Moon Flower offered him something in return. He looked at her and she smiled and nodded her head. She knew that Crazy Beaver could barely make it to the river and back alone. She then mentioned some of the other old warriors that was said to be very good at other things, that he might want them to do some jobs. Fighting Hawk smiled and said that he was sure that each job sounded like it would take too much of Moon Flower's time to do it. She smiled and said that she still needed to talk to some people of the village, and that she would return soon. The girls were all smiling at him as he turned to his blankets. Tomorrow would come early, and he knew that they had something in mind. When Moon Flower slipped into the lodge she was not surprised to find Bight Dove cuddled into his arm, with a smile on her face as she slept. Fighting Hawk eyes opened as she moved to her blankets. He folded his blanket back and motioned for her to sleep with them, but she shook her head and pointed to Bright Dove. He smiled and whispered to her, "cuddling is better than sleeping alone." She smiled at him and dropped her dress as she moved to his blankets. The next day, as they hunted Fighting Hawk pointed out the tracks of the squirrel, fox and badger. He explained how each could be hunted and trapped, or killed. He told of the dangers of the badger, but also the weakness. They hunted each of the animals and Fighting Hawk showed how to trap and kill, then let Big Cloud show what he had learned. As he walked from the lodge he heard Pretty Storm praising his hunting skills, and said that soon he would be the best hunter in the village. Fighting Hawk smiled as he heard Big Cloud say that he would never be half as good as Fighting Hawk. He just barely heard her answer as she said, "Maybe you will, if you learn to be as good of a man, as you are a hunter." Fighting Hawk knew the truth of her words. At the end of the week Fighting Hawk went to the lodge of Big Cloud. The coughed at a respectable level and waited. Pretty Storm came from the lodge. She smiled at Fighting Hawk and welcomed him to the lodge. Fighting Hawk was surprised at the difference in her actions. He asked if Big Cloud was available, and she told him that he was still out hunting, and said that he would return shortly. She smiled and Fighting Hawk saw the pride in her face. He was glad for them; their cook pot had meat, and there were skins on the tanning rack. It looked like they were doing well. As he stood he asked her to tell Big Cloud that as they had agreed, it was time to settle their debt. He looked expectantly at Pretty Storm and noticed that she smiled and nodded. He nodded in return. As he turned to leave he asked if Big Cloud would be interested in hunting with him again, the following day. Later that day, Big Cloud came to Fighting Hawk's lodge and presented him with six rabbit pelts. He said that he had taken extra care in the tanning, and Fighting Hawk saw that they were indeed well prepared. He said that the bargain was a good one, and that he was happy with the outcome. Big Cloud had a smile on his face, and his hand always rested on his knife. He also said that he would be ready to hunt at first light. The both nodded and Big Cloud moved off with a smile on his face and a string in his step. The next day Fighting Hawk taught Big Cloud to make a bow. He then showed him the art of making an arrow; how to fletch the feathers and secure the arrowhead. Then he showed the most important part of balancing the arrow. Once the lesson was taught Big Cloud set out to make his bow, and arrows. Fighting Hawk also explained that he had to have the strength to pull the bow, and that could only be gained by hard work. If he was serious about using the bow, then he had to be willing to push himself. He could see the determination on Big Cloud's face, and he smiled. He mentioned that each day his mother brought buckets of water from the river. He said that a job like that would make his arms strong. Big Cloud had a sour look on his face, and said that it was woman's work. Fighting Hawk laughed loudly. He then explained that there was no such thing as woman's work, or man's work. He explained that if a job had to be done, then it should be done by the best person to do the job. Women did certain things better than men, like cooking. But he explained that all men had to know how to cook, or they would starve sooner or later. Big Cloud thought about this for a long time as he cut his bow. He asked Fighting Hawk about when the others laughed at him for doing woman's work. Fighting Hawk smiled and pointed out that a laugh didn't bruise the body. He had often been laughed at, and he was still there. He explained that there were times that he would need to know how to laugh at himself; when he did something stupid and everybody found out. Then Fighting Hawk said that there were times that he had to do what was necessary, even if people laughed, because it was the right thing to do. He had to learn to accept life as it was, people will laugh at you; either to your face, or behind your back, but they will laugh. Fighting Hawk was sitting at the cook fire of Gray Eagle when Pretty Storm came to them. She was shy as she asked if she could join them at the fire. Gray Eagle smiled warmly and motioned for her to sit. Once seated her shyness fell away, and she looked Gray Eagle in the eye. "It is the responsibility of the man to present his son to the chief for the rite of manhood. Since Big Cloud has no father, I must ask you for the rite myself. He is young for the rite, and he still has much to learn. But he deserves to be called a man. He is doing a man's job and deserves the respect. Fighting Hawk has taught him much, about hunting and about how to be a man. He has shown him his way in life, and I ask for the rite." She fell silent waiting for Gray Eagle's decision. Gray Eagle looked at her, then at Fighting Hawk. He considered her words, and nodded his head. "You know what must be done, and how he should prepare. Tell him to work hard and learn the bow and the knife. If he is ready, when his next birthday comes, I will announce him at the celebration fire." Pretty Storm smiled widely and nodded her head. She then turned and spoke to Fighting Hawk for the first time. "You have talked of many things on your hunts. You have taught him not only to hunt, but to be a man. He asked me to teach him how to cook and to sew. He carries water for me every day. He says that there is no woman's work and even though the children tease him, he laughs and keeps to his task. There is talk in the village that you are a very special man. I never knew that there was such a thing, but my son has shown me that there is. I am honored that you have shown my son what it means to be a man, and a warrior." She looked at Gray Eagle and said, "You are a wise man to name him your son. And you are a lucky man to have him as your son. And we are all lucky to have him in our village." She then rose and left the fire, without looking back. Fighting Hawk looked at his feet, and felt himself turning red. Gray Eagle nodded and said, "She is right." Then they talked about the work that Fighting Hawk had the old warriors working on. Fighting Hawk flushed again but said that it was work that needed to be done. Gray Eagle smiled at him and said that Pony Walk had not looked so good in years, and that it was good to see him with his head up again. He then mentioned that Black Otter made some of the best arrows that he had ever seen, and Fighting Hawk was suddenly interested. ------- Chapter 7: A Sound of Love It was a week later that the wagon train was sighted. Fighting Hawk took out the advanced party again and made sure that they were ready. He worked them hard for a few days, until he was sure. He arranged to meet Gray Eagle with the rest of the warriors a week later at the mountain ridge that had marked their last attack. With the sun the advanced party set out. They rode hard and made the peak of the ridge four days later at night fall. The camp had the last fire that they would have for a week. As they rested Fighting Hawk explained the plan to them. They would slip close to the wagon train the next day, and travel close to it, and watch as they traveled. They would identify all of the leaders, and the scouts; where they slept and what their routine was. They would have to be careful not to be seen. If anybody was seen, everybody was to leave the train, and meet back in this camp. If all went well, they would wait until time to meet with Gray Eagle before they left the train. With the sun they set out on a hard ride. One warrior would bring their horses back to the camp. They traveled quickly until they were close to the wagon train, and then they slipped from their horses and hid until the wagon train passed them by. As the wagons rolled slowly past, they took up their positions around the wagon train. Fighting Hawk noticed that this wagon train had animals; Cows, goats and chickens mostly. There were even a couple of dogs. That evening Fighting Hawk met with one of the other warriors, he told him that sometime during the next couple of days that he wanted the dogs killed quietly and without notice. He told him to remove the body and bury it, so that they thought that the dog ran off, or got hurt and died while it was hunting. He also said to pass the word along that he did not want any of the animals hurt. Fighting Hawk noticed the same general pattern. He quickly identified the scouts, and the wagon-master. The wagon leaders were also easy to identify; they were always barking orders and trying to make themselves look important. He noted the locations of the muskets that he saw, and which wagons held few people. He made sure that there was always at least one warrior watching during the night, and he noted which people were out of their wagons, and which were always late getting out, and where each wagon camped in the bigger pattern. All of these things were important. Fighting Hawk noticed that the warriors were getting careless at times. They considered the people stupid and blind. He put a knife to a few throats unnoticed, and pointed out the scouts. They understood, and there was no repeat of their actions. When it was time to leave to meet Gray Eagle, one of the scouts came back with news of the wagon train. He didn't know what to make of it, and the wagon train stopped. The wagon-master led a party to investigate. Fighting Hawk sent the rest of the warriors to meet Gray Eagle, and said that he would follow once he knew what they planned to do. He quietly followed the party. They moved quietly and quickly, and he had a hard time keeping up without making any noise, or being seen. Once they reached the site, he held back in the woods and watched as they tried to figure out what had happened. He heard sickness, greed, panic and even Indians. They dismissed the Indian idea, when the chief scout said that is was not the work of Indians; there were no arrows, and the wagons weren't burnt. Fighting Hawk smiled to himself. They examined everything, and he noticed that they even collected the valuables. He smiled at their greed; it was typical of them. After they had gone through everything, they started back. Fighting Hawk hid in a gully, and they passed within three feet of him, but nobody noticed. He followed them back to the wagon train. He listened to the report of the destruction. They told the people what they had found, and said a number of things that it could have been. Fighting Hawk listened as they voted to travel beside the sight and bury the bodies. He listened to the excited talk about taking the possessions of the dead. He felt cold listening to their excitement. As they continued to talk he slipped away. The advanced party had already showed the layout of the camp and the locations of the important people. When Fighting Hawk returned he nodded, and added a few things of his own, which of the wagons had muskets, and were unpredictable in their sleeping. Gray Eagle nodded at this information. As they made their plans, Fighting Hawk shook his head, and said that they should wait longer this time. All eyes were on him. He explained about their plans to bury the dead, and loot the wagon train. He said that it would look better if they waited until after they had left the train before they attacked. He explained that it would look like they had died of the same decease that had killed the first wagon train. It would add to the fiction, and help them in the long run. Gray Eagle listened and nodded his agreement. They moved away and set up camp to wait. It took them days to clear the peak with the wagons. Then they looted the lost wagon train. Fighting Hawk was surprised when they looted even before they buried the dead. He could barely stand the smell this far away, and they would rather loot than bury the corpses. He shook his head at their actions. Gray Eagle came to him as they waited for them to move on. He explained that they had already been gone from the village longer then they had intended, and that he was going to take a few of the warriors back with him, and let them know that all was well. He said that he wouldn't be able to get back before the attack, so they would not return. He said that it was good that Fighting Hawk had things under control, and that he would expect them back in the village soon, Fighting Hawk nodded his understanding. It was two days later that they slipped into the camp. The guards died sitting around the campfire. The scouts died in their blankets, and the wagon-master woke just as Fighting Hawk pushed his knife through to the back of his neck. He never made a sound, but he almost made it to his musket. He found Fighting Hawk's knee resting on it. His eyes clouded over as he looked into the eyes of Fighting Hawk. It was still a half hour before sunrise, but three of the other wagons bothered him. He motioned to the advanced party and had them take themselves up in position around the wagons. They were still out of sight, but close by. Earlier than they expected one of the restless men came climbing out of his wagon, musket in hand. Fighting Hawk motioned, and he didn't make it four steps before there was a knife in his chest, one warrior catching his musket, and two other warriors carting his body to the brush nearby. Just before sunrise, Fighting Hawk gave the signal and all of the warriors moved into the wagons, clubs in hand. Only a few had any sounds of a scuffle. Bodies were quickly passed out the back of the wagons, and placed into groups. Most of the women climbed out on their own, and were herded into a group. Fighting Hawk saw a baby handed out of one of the wagons. Before it could be killed, he went to look at it. He saw that it couldn't have been more than a few days old. He climbed into the wagon and saw that the woman was dead, her skull crushed. When he looked at the warrior, he shrugged and said that she wouldn't get up and tried to knife him when he took the baby. He looked hard at the warrior and knew that he was too young to understand such things. He decided that the younger warriors needed to be guarding the prisoners. He found a child basket and put the baby inside, he covered it well with blankets. He gave the baby to the young warrior and said that if anything happened to that baby, he would personally take him out and kill him over four days time. The boy looked like he had just seen a ghost, but carried the basket like it was filled with eggs. The warriors already knew what needed to be done and even before the men started fighting they were going through the wagons. They had removed what they wanted before the fight was over. The winner took off at a run, but Fighting Hawk had told the warrior to make sure that he made it to the other wagon train before he died. The warrior nodded and set out. When the women were selected, Fighting Hawk saw one that wasn't scared but mad. She was constantly yelling and screaming at the warriors and defying them to do anything. She looked good, but Fighting Hawk wasn't really interested in choosing any women. He wanted to make sure that the animals were well cared for, but they were waiting for him. It was his right, but he was about to refuse when she suddenly saw them all looking at him and started calling him names. He nodded to the woman screaming and said that he wanted that one. They all looked at him like he had lost his mind, but he just smiled as he walked away. Fighting Hawk found out that warriors did not know how to milk cows, and found that he had to do it himself. He then showed the young warrior how to use a cloth and the milk and feed the baby. He was disgusted, but Fighting Hawk looked at him hard and fingered his knife. The boy paled and set about his task. That evening Fighting Hawk led the warriors to the women, after everyone had been fed. When he approached his woman she turned on him and started a fierce fight. He smiled as she kicked, bit and scratched. He had a hard time, but she tired quickly. When he had her clothes ripped off she started screaming insults at him. For some reason it made him terribly mad. He decided that this woman would find out what the choice of rape really was. He grabbed her by the hair and dragged her to a fallen tree. He roughly shoved her over the tree and tied her hands on the other side. When he knew that she was secure, he looped a rope around her ankle and pulled her leg wide apart before tying it to the fallen tree. Then he did the same thing to the other leg. She was now trussed up like a Christmas turkey waiting for slaughter. She squirmed and called him names, and he dropped his britches. As he moved up behind her he roughly shoved hard into her delicate mound. She screamed, but it didn't slow Fighting Hawk. He wanted her to hurt, and know that her mouth was the reason. Once she started to get wet, her mouth started again, and Fighting Hawk raged. He pulled from her wet mound, and thrust as hard as he could up her rear hole. She screamed as loud as she could. All of the other warriors were finished, and stood around watching his brutal rape of the young woman. When he was finished she looked over her shoulder and laughed at him. He shook his head sadly and smiled sweetly at her. He then turned to the assembled warriors and said that any warrior in the camp was welcome to use her that night. Great smiles spread over their faces. Word spread quickly, and the warriors soon collected to await their turn. The ones that hadn't gotten to choose a woman were eagerly trying to push to the front. Fighting Hawk walked away as she screamed at another invasion to her body. The other women watched and prayed that they were not next. It was well past midnight when Fighting Hawk walked to the fallen tree. The last warrior had left a short time ago. He was sure that many had used her more than once. Her ass and mound had blood dripping, and there was a puddle of seed on the ground between her legs. Fighting Hawk put his hand on her hip and she flinched, but she didn't look back or say a word. He cut the ropes on her legs and hands, and then pulled her back over the tree. He saw blood on her stomach and breasts, from where she had slid across the rough bark. She looked up and him. There was fear in her eyes now. He took her by the hair and dragged her over to the woman that had been caring for the others. He threw her body across the woman waking her from her sleep. When she saw the woman she looked up frightened. Fighting Hawk showed no emotion, but calmly walked away. The next morning she was wearing some rags, but he didn't know where she had gotten them. He walked up to her and ripped them off of her body. He tied her hands and tied her to the back of the wagon. She spent the day naked in the sun, and falling on the ground. Without any clothes to help protect her soft skin she was quickly covered with scratches and bruises. That night when Fighting Hawk led the warriors to the women he grabbed her by the hair and started to a fallen tree. She shrieked, and begged but she wasn't calling him names. She seemed almost submissive. He looked down at her. She had a pleading look in her eyes. He opened his britches flap and took out his semi-hard cock. He waited and when she didn't move he pointed to her mouth. She seemed surprised and looked at him again. He pointed to the tree and she understood. She gently took his cock in her hand and placed it in her mouth. She kneeled in the middle of the women, on her knees and sucked his cock lovingly. She did the best that she possibly could. It wasn't anywhere near as good as any of his lodge women, but it was still good. When he filled her mouth with his thick, sticky seed he looked at her expectantly. She made a real effort to swallow. Some might have escaped, but it wasn't much. When she was finished he calmly put his cock back into his britches and left. She had a look of relief on her face. The next morning he found her still without clothes. He took the ripped clothes that he had taken from her and pitched them at her feet. She quickly got into the clothes before they started out for the day. Fighting Hawk spent most of the day carrying the basket with the baby; he wanted to give the young warrior a break. Fighting Hawk was sure that the boy appreciated it, when he wasn't mad about it. The day past slowly for everyone; the progress of the wagon wasn't quick, and the noise of the animals was getting on the warrior's nerves. Fighting Hawk was unconcerned about any of it. He was more interested in his plans, than the inconvenience of a few animals. That night when he went to visit the woman, he found that she wasn't near as shy but she wasn't cooperative either. She didn't offer anything, but she didn't fight and yell either. He saw that she became indifferent about him as soon as he was there. He took her to the edge of the clearing and when he motioned for her to remove her clothes, she complied. He figured that it was more to save what little there was left, then to be cooperative. He started her rape, but she was passive about everything. She stared at the sky without making any movement, letting him do what he wanted. She simply laid there. He suddenly found himself enjoying this. The rape meant nothing and he could care less. Now he considered it more of a competition. Could he make her respond, even if she didn't want to? Fighting Hawk smiled at her, even though she didn't notice. He knew that she wasn't experienced enough with her own body to know what it was capable of, and he heard her gasp in surprise as his mouth closed over her tender breasts. He sucked and licked on her nipples as he felt them swell and harden in his mouth. Even though she still continued her game he heard her deep breathing as it got faster, and felt her mound getting wetter. Quickly he was sliding in and out of her effortlessly. He pushed himself up over her to look down into her eyes, and then he angled himself so that his hard shaft made contact on her pleasure nub as it slid in and out with her juices oiling the way for her pleasure. He saw her eyes get wide when she realized that she was feeling pleasure. She tried to hide the feeling so that he wouldn't know, but he knew even before she did. He watched as her passion grew and knew that even though she was hiding what she felt, it was there. He saw her bite in her lip as her eyes half closed and knew that she was close to her peak. He made an extra long stroke and let his cock slip from her hole. He watched as her eyes flew open in alarm, and her hand swiftly moved to position him back into her. She had done it so quickly that she hadn't even knew that she had, until it was too late. They both knew that the game was over. She no longer tried to hold herself still and impassive, and he changed his strokes to give her as much pleasure as he could. She moved against him with each stroke. As her peak neared she began to chant her pleasure, and not to stop. She got louder until everyone in the clearing could hear her. When her peak hit she screamed her release for the world to hear. When Fighting Hawk pulled his softening cock from her body she looked at him in wonder, and he smiled at her. He helped her to her feet and helped her collect her clothes, then led her back to the other women. Many of them looked at her in disgust, but she didn't seem to care. Her smile didn't fade as Fighting Hawk left for his blankets. The next morning when Fighting Hawk came to her she meekly held her hands out, waiting to be tied. He tied her hands and tied the rope to the wagon. Then he went to retrieve the baby from the boy. He found that he liked taking care of the baby. That night when he arrived to rape the woman, she was waiting peacefully for him. She didn't fight, or pretend that she didn't know why he was there. She went with him quickly, and was out of her clothes without being told. When he lowered his britches he felt her hands on his shaft. She lovingly stroked and caressed him, until he was hard. As she lay back on her back, she spread her legs and guided him toward her womanly opening. He surprised her when he stopped before they made contact. Her eyes got big when she felt his hand caress her mound. Her eyes closed and she shuddered as he stroked her expertly. Very shortly she was wet and thrusting her hips at his hand. Then he moved in, to slide his throbbing manhood into her wet clasping tunnel. She let out a loud moan as she felt him slide easily and smoothly to the end of her hot sheath. She was surprised when she felt only pleasure. She met each movement with a thrust of her own. Fighting Hawk was surprised when she wrapped her legs around him, and used the leverage to violently thrust herself harder against him, trying to get him deeper into her body. Her cries of pleasure were loud and clear all through the clearing, but she didn't care. He felt the tight clasp of her tunnel when she reached her peak, and she made a high pitched squeaking sound, followed by deep panting breaths. Then she was on her way to another peak. They moved faster and faster until they were both covered in sweat. When Fighting Hawk reached his own peak he grunted loudly and pushed deeply into her body. She pulled him tighter and cried out as her pleasure peaked again. When the passion died away and they lay gasping for breath, he felt her legs fall limply to the ground. As he stood he pulled her to her knees. She looked into his eyes as he pulled her to suck his manhood clean. She didn't struggle as she opened her mouth wide, and sucked him deeply into her mouth. She closed her eyes as she sucked their juices of passion from his softening shaft. When she tasted no more of the juices she opened her eyes and gently let his soft cock slip from her mouth. He smiled at her and pulled his britches up. He helped her to her feet, and to get her clothes. As he took her back to the wagon, he noticed all of the women staring at them, and even some of the warriors were watching them. When she was back where she belonged he left for his blankets. During the night and most of the next day Fighting Hawk got offers for the woman. Many of them were better than any offers that had ever been given for a woman. Fighting Hawk knew that to keep her would cause trouble in the lodge. He picked the best offer and agreed to the exchange. He then rode to the wagon and removed her rope from the wagon and placed it in the hands of Wild Buffalo. It was clear even to her what it meant. She yelled at him, but he still rode away. He hoped that Wild Buffalo knew what he was getting himself into. They entered the village just before sunset, and the sky was an angry pink as the sun reflected across the clouds in the sky. Fighting Hawk ordered that one of the cows to be tied to Gray Eagles lodge, in the back. He then carried the basket with him to visit with Gray Eagle. As he sat at the cook fire Gray Eagle came out to sit with him. He was surprised when Fighting Hawk asked if he could speak with both of his parents in their lodge. Gray Eagle stood and opened the lodge flaps for Fighting Hawk to enter. When Water Lilly saw Fighting Hawk enter she smiled as she moved to the small fire that kept the lodge warm at night. Even in the summer the mountains got cold at night. Fighting Hawk sat across from her and waited for Gray Eagle to sit. When he was sitting Fighting Hawk cleared his throat. "My parents, I am afraid that I have disgraced you. I have not acted like a Cheyenne warrior. I found myself unable to kill all of the white men causing us so much trouble." He saw Gray Eagle frown and Water Lilly looked concerned for him, but he continued on. "When the time came I just couldn't make myself do it. I guess that I am just too weak. So I brought a boy back to the camp. I would ask you to share in my shame by offering to raise the boy." Fighting Hawk saw Gray Eagle's face harden, but he kept quiet. Water Lilly had tears in her eyes as she shook her head. She finally said, "You know that I have always wanted a child, but I cannot speak the white man's tongue. I cannot raise a boy that I can't talk to. By the time that he could speak Cheyenne, I wouldn't even know him. I have tried before, but I couldn't do it." Fighting Hawk watched her burst into tears. Before Gray Eagle could say anything, Fighting Hawk raised his hand. Gray Eagle suddenly understood that there was more happening here than the simple story Fighting Hawk had told them. He had seen Fighting Hawk do some wonderful things and knew that he would never willingly hurt Water Lilly, so he held his tongue and waited to see what would happen. Fighting Hawk softly spoke to Water Lilly, "Mother, I understand your pain, but that is why I couldn't kill him. You see he already speaks Cheyenne, at least I can understand him." Water Lilly's head snapped up and she looked at Fighting Hawk. She was suddenly suspicious of his words. He told her to go and see for herself, he was waiting just outside the lodge. She cautiously got to her feet, and they watched her go through the lodge flaps. Once again Fighting Hawk held up a hand to Gray Eagle. It was a minute later that Water Lilly squealed and burst into the lodge. In her arms she held the baby. Fighting Hawk smiled at her as she beamed her joy. Gray Eagle suddenly understood and jumped to her side to see the boy. Fighting Hawk watched as Water Lilly suddenly looked pained again. "I cannot keep him. I can't feed him. My breasts have no milk for his hungry cries." Fighting Hawk looked down at his own hard chest and frowned, and then he looked at Water Lilly, "I have fed him on the journey here, and I hope that you don't think that I have breasts that can feed him." She looked at him puzzled before she asked him how he managed to feed a hungry baby. He smiled at her and said, "I think that you will find that you now have a cow behind your lodge. It gives very good milk; more than enough for one little baby." He watched as tears rolled down her face. She was suddenly kneeling before him and hugging him tightly as she cried into his neck. She whispered into his ear, "You have given me the only thing that I could never have. You have made me a mother. I know that you call me mother, and it warms my heart. You will always remember your real mother and know that I am just pretending." Fighting Hawk whispered into her ear, "Yes I remember my mother, and I am more proud to call you mother, than I ever was her." Water Lilly suddenly squeezed him so tight that he felt that he couldn't breathe. A woman's strength was always misjudged. He hoped that she remembered that she was still holding a baby between them. She was suddenly on her feet, and scowling down at him. She slapped him on the head, "How dare you come in here and scare me like that. I thought that you had really done something wrong. Now show me where this cow is, and how to get milk from it." As she turned to go out of the lodge Fighting Hawk looked at Gray Eagle, but Gray Eagle just shrugged as tears of his own rolled down his cheeks. Fighting Hawk shrugged and got to his feet. He knew that he had probably made a mistake doing this, but it was one that he was sure that they would forgive him for. Fighting Hawk found that teaching a person to milk a cow, who had never done it before was frustrating. They could get the motion right, but not the hand movements. It was always just a little bit off. He would explain and show her, but always she just didn't get the results. It took quite some time before there was the sound of milk hitting the bucket. But once she started getting milk, it was quickly moving and she happily worked away. Fighting Hawk told Gray Eagle that he might want to practice a little himself, as it would only be a matter of time before he would be sitting where Water Lilly was. He looked suspiciously at Fighting Hawk, but he frowned and nodded. As Fighting Hawk walked back to his lodge in the dark, he could not help but to smile at the memory of the proud father and mother. They both had a magical look about them when he had left. Fighting Hawk had been smart enough to catch them in their good humor to extract his payment for the baby. Water Lilly thought it a very generous offer, at least she did now. Fighting Hawk had gotten her to agree that all of the unused milk be made into butter and cheese. He showed her the churn, and told her that he would send one of the girls to the lodge to explain how to use the churn. He knew from listening to the girls that it was a lot of work, but he missed those things. The girls were very happy to have him back, and it was a night of pleasure when all of the girls invaded his blankets. He wasn't sure exactly sure who did what to whom, but he realized that in the end it really didn't matter, not as long as everybody was happy and satisfied. Sometime during the night he fell asleep, and when he woke in the morning there were arms and legs in every direction. The first sight when he opened his eyes made his cock throb. As he thought about it, he realized that it had to be Bright Dove. She had been sitting on his face; at least he thought that had been the last thing that he remembered. She now lay across his chest and belly and had her head between Moon Flowers legs. Her own mound was leaking sweet oils across her little pleasure nub, and onto his neck. He felt the trails of oils run down both side of his neck and knew that there was a puddle below him. He was amazed at the amount of sweet nectar that a woman's body could produce. He knew that there was no way that he could move without waking her, so he grabbed her hips and pulled her wet mound into his face. As his tongue delved into her hot oily hole he knew that she was awake, as her moans of pleasure echoed around the lodge. He knew that he had gotten things started again when Moon Flower suddenly gasped as Bright Dove resumed where she left off the previous night. The stars were quick to join in and everybody woke up early that morning. It was well past sunup when Wild Buffalo visited Fighting Hawk's lodge. With him he brought six horses, three deer skins, five blankets and three knives. As Fighting Hawk looked at him he saw that he had scratches on his face, teeth and bite marks in some very tender places and when he walked it looked like he had used a pine cone to wipe his ass, but he assured Fighting Hawk that he was fine. Fighting Hawk shook his head and wished him the best of luck. He saw the look that Wild Buffalo had in his eyes as he tried to walk away. He saw that same look on the wagon-master's face just before he was killed. He wondered if Wild Buffalo would survive this. Bright Dove went to Water Lilly and showed her how to make butter and cheese. She was gone the whole day. It turned out that they were doing the baby thing. Word spread quickly. Many of the women were polite to Water Lilly, but hinted that it still wasn't the same as having one of your own, but she didn't hear them, or she didn't care as she held and fussed over her baby. Gray Eagle was the proud father. Many of the warriors congratulated him, just as if his wife had given birth. It was different for men, to accept things like that. At least that was the way that Fighting Hawk saw it. There were even gifts left at the lodge flaps for the baby; a custom at the birth of a new baby. It made Water Lilly happy and very proud that her new son was accepted. It was a few days later that Fighting Hawk took Big Cloud hunting again. He watched him pull his bow and shoot the arrows. He made comments and showed him how to get the most out of every shot. He told him to spend every day practicing, for at least four hours. He also told him that he had to return with as many arrows as he left with, every day. He knew that Big Cloud would get a lot more cautious when he had to hunt for lost arrows. It would improve his aim. Then he cut two wooden knives, and gave one to Big Cloud. They started the lesson of handling a knife in a fight. That night Big Cloud went home with many bruises and a few cuts. They would heal, and Fighting Hawk told him to practice with the wooden knife every day. He also told him to try and remember how he had been cut, and to think of a way to block the thrusts. Pretty Storm looked concerned, but Fighting Hawk reminded her that you do not coddle or baby a warrior. She got a firm set in her jaw and nodded, and then moved off like nothing was wrong. When Fighting Hawk went to visit with Gray Eagle they sat at the cook fire and talked. Gray Eagle cleared his throat, a sign that he had something important to say. Fighting Hawk listened carefully. "You remember once, that you asked what my plan for you was?" Fighting Hawk nodded his head that he remembered, and continued to listen as Gray Eagle plunged ahead. "At the time I didn't know if you would ever be a good Cheyenne warrior. I didn't want to tell you what my plan was. It was just a dream, at least until you were ready. I think that you are now ready." Gray Eagle rose and motioned for Fighting Hawk to follow him. Gray Eagle led them to the private lodge behind his own. Fighting Hawk followed Gray Eagle inside. The he stopped and gasped. It was filled from the ground to the top with books; books of every size and color. Since Gray Eagle couldn't read they weren't sorted, except by size. Gray Eagle motioned around the lodge. "You must learn everything in all of these books. You must know everything that you can learn. It is the only way that I believe that we can save our people." Fighting Hawk looked at him and knew that Gray Eagle could see the confusion on his face. He smiled and told him, "I can't tell you everything now. There are still some things that I still don't know. But I do know that you must be smarter than any white man, if you hope to defeat him using your brain. We know that we can kill the white man, but there are more of them than there are of us. They just keep coming, so we must be smarter than they are. You must be smarter than they are." Fighting Hawk looked around and said, "This is a reading lodge." Over the next few days Fighting Hawk sorted the books as best as he could. Even though he could read the titles, some of them made no sense. But he did the best that he could. His love of books and reading came rushing back, as he spent his time in a labor of love. When he had things organized, he explained the sections to Gray Eagle. They decided that 'History' was a good place to start. Gray Eagle told him that since he was going to be learning the white man's knowledge it would be better to think of himself as Tom once more. He explained that when he spoke English he should think of himself as Tom, but when he spoke Cheyenne then he should be Fighting Hawk. Tom turned and said, "It is a wise idea, father." Then he sat to begin his task of learning all he could learn. In the mornings Fighting Hawk went hunting for the lodge, and to teach Big Cloud the ways of the warrior, in the afternoons Tom learned of the world in the reading Lodge. He would read late into the night. Time passed quickly and Gray Eagle had to send him to his blankets many times. As Tom learned, he realized that the world was very big and their little piece of it wasn't even as large as the tip of the nose on a deer. It worried him that he was trying to fight something that big, and with so many people. Gray Eagle listened to him and nodded at his concerns. He then told him, "The whole deer is not concerned about the tip of the nose; only the part around the nose cares. It is not a world that we have to fight, but only the part that comes to harm us." Tom thought about this and smiled. Gray Eagle had a way of helping to make things clear for him. He suggested that Gray Eagle learn to read. Gray Eagle laughed at the idea, but Tom saw the look in his eyes. One morning as Fighting Hawk stepped from the lodge he saw the woman from the wagon train, sitting at his lodge post. Her hands were tied, and there was a rope around her neck, but she could walk away if she chose. He motioned at her and around the village. She pointed in the direction of Wild Buffalo's lodge. He bent to get the end of the rope and as he took it in his hand, she took his hand in both of hers and held it to her face. He gently took his hand and tugged the rope, showing that she was to rise. He watched as she slowly got to her feet. He could see the marks on her body. She had cuts and bruises over most of it. She would have some serious scarring, and there were already some scars there. He shook his head and led her back to Wild Buffalo. When he was at the lodge, he sat at the cook fire and coughed respectfully. It was a couple of minutes before Wild Buffalo stepped from the lodge. Fighting Hawk had to admit that he had looked better the last time that he had seen him. He had a black eye, fresh cuts and scratches and he even limped when he walked. Fighting Hawk also noticed that he walked slowly and sat very gently. He found that he didn't want to know the reason why. "I found his woman at my lodge, and I have returned her to you." Fighting Hawk held out the rope to Wild Buffalo. He looked at the woman, and then at the rope. He shook his head. He said, "I let her go last night. I have never met a woman that I couldn't break. I love the fight, and when it is over I sell her for what I can get. This woman fights like a wildcat, but when I take her she lays there like a log. When I am finished she laughs at me. She fills me with rage, and we fight like animals. Even tied she has tried to kill me in my sleep. I have seen her docile as a lamb at your hands, even now she looks at you like a puppy. She is a strong woman, and I don't want to kill her, but there is no warrior in the village that will take her from me. You can keep her, or kill her, I don't care anymore." He got slowly to his feet and went back into his lodge. Fighting Hawk frowned as he stood up and led the woman back to his lodge. When he looked at her she was smiling at him. Moon Flower and the girls weren't happy about the woman. Fighting Hawk explained the situation, and asked which of them would cut her throat. He saw that they all seriously considered it. It worried him a little. When they finally agreed, he breathed a sigh of relief. The turned to the girls, "You three speak English, help her learn Cheyenne quickly, or it will be you that I punish." All three nodded and looked at the woman. He handed Moon Flower her rope and left to go hunting. A month later she could speak and understand most of the Cheyenne language. At least she could get the idea of what you wanted and tell you something that sounded intelligent. She didn't take to bathing any better than the girls did at first, but at least she didn't stink any more. Fighting Hawk made sure that she was not allowed to sleep with him. It was a matter of principle. She was dejected, but the girls explained it to her. Even though she lived in his lodge, she was still not his woman. He had not accepted her, or purchased her. Until he accepted her as his woman, and allowed her into his blankets, she would not sleep with him. It made her grumpy. She had a hard time accepting the actions of the women in the lodge. She made some comments about God and evil demons and such. Fighting Hawk guessed that they found a way to work it out as her attitude changed quickly. When he asked about it, Moon Flower actually blushed scarlet before she told him what had happened. They had tied her down and spent a whole day giving her body pleasure, but in the process they neglected to give her any release. Only after she begged to service all of them, and they thought that she had begged enough, was she allowed to have her pleasure. That seemed to make her change her mind about the activities of the women. Fighting Hawk thought it a bit cruel, and said as much, but she didn't seem to care one way or the other. Moon Flower said that as long as the woman understood that they would live as Fighting Hawk allowed them to live, and Fighting Hawk had no problem with their activities. He nodded and decided to leave things in their hands. Thankfully, there were no further wagon trains before the snows came. Once the snows came the mountains were impossible for wagons to cross. So Fighting Hawk found the beginning of his fourteenth year in the reading lodge, with melting snow in the mountains. He had taken Big Cloud out for two months during the winter. The things that Gray Eagle had taught Fighting Hawk, Fighting Hawk now taught to Big Cloud. When they returned, Fighting Hawk stood before Pretty Storm and told her that he would stand beside Big Cloud in the manhood ceremony. She beamed her pride and knelt to kiss his hand. Fighting Hawk looked at Big Cloud and said, "Always remember, age itself does not make you a man. The things that you do every day of your life, tells if you are a real man." Big Cloud nodded his head, and took his mother back into the lodge. Fighting Hawk smiled as he walked away. Soon he would have Big Cloud doing important things. Once the snows melted from the mountain passes, the scouts were sent to watch for wagons. It was decided that Gray Eagle would lead the battle this time, while Tom spent his time in the reading lodge. Tom was not happy with the decision, but went over all of his plans and deceptions that he had in mind. Gray Eagle was surprised at the depth of the plans that Fighting Hawk had set into motion, and they worked on a few ideas that would gain them more time, and would add to the fiction that Fighting Hawk had setup in the mountains. Fighting Hawk suggested that Gray Eagle hold another contest to select the advanced party. He mentioned that some of the widows and old warriors were getting a little thin again. Gray Eagle smiled and said that he would announce the plan the following day at the birthday celebration of Big Cloud. They both smiled knowing that Big Cloud would try for the advanced party, but both doubted that he would get the chance. Fighting Hawk told of the arrangement with the old warriors to monitor the contest, and in return they get a portion of the hunt. Gray Eagle smiled and said that Fighting Hawk had seen to it that every person got something, with his head up. At the birthday celebration, Big Cloud was named as a warrior unless any warrior wished to challenge his skills. There were usually one or two that challenged the young men; someone had to show everybody that the young men were capable of handling themselves. With Fighting Hawk standing beside him, there was one challenger; Little Elk, Moon Flower's brother. Fighting Hawk knew that this was not about Big Cloud, but something personal that was eating at him. The fight would be with wooden knives, it was just supposed to show the skill of the young warrior. Fighting Hawk whispered, "Little Elk wants to hurt you, because Moon Flower chose to live with me. Be very careful of him, and don't forget that even a wooden knife can kill if you use it the wrong way. Watch for him to do anything." Big Cloud had a determined look on his face when he nodded his understanding. He removed the ceremonial vest and picked up the wooden knife. Pretty Storm stood beside Fighting Hawk as the warriors took their place in the center of the circle. Little Elk made a quick lunge, and Big Cloud came down hard across his wrist. There was a grunt and Little Elk's wooden knife hit the ground. Big Cloud stepped back to allow him to pick up the knife. Little Elk was furious, and lunged again. Big Cloud stepped back and again there was a grunt as Little Elk's knife hit the ground. This time Big Cloud circled around giving Little Elk the opportunity to pick up the knife again. Little Elk worked in more slowly this time, feinting and jabbing. He didn't make contact, but he was working his way inside of Big Cloud's defenses. Suddenly Little Elk dove and used his bigger size and weight to knock Big Cloud off balance. As Big Cloud stumbled, Little Elk lunged again. Big Cloud had been off balance many times in fighting with Fighting Hawk, he knew the dangers, but didn't panic. He saw the lunge coming and used his movement as a defense. He let himself fall to the ground, and struck hard into Little Elk's stomach. Before Big Cloud could roll away Little Elk wrapped an arm around his neck. Fighting Hawk saw the wooden knife fall from Little Elks hand and move to his belt. Fighting Hawk wasted no time as he pulled his knife, and drew back his arm. Fighting Hawk saw the flash of steel as Little Elk raised his arm to strike. Pretty Storm screamed as Fighting Hawk's knife hit Little Elk's wrist with so much force that his knife flew through the air and his arm was thrown back against the ground. Little Elk released his grip on Big Cloud, and as he reached for the knife sticking through his wrist Fighting Hawk settled on his chest with a knife at his throat. Fighting Hawk watched as Little Elk's friends circled to get a better position. He nodded at the three moving and suddenly an arrow pierced the ground at their feet; they froze. Fighting Hawk calmly said, "Gray Eagle, as chief I will hear your words on this." Fighting Hawk slowly stood, keeping his knife tip at the throat of Little Elk. He stepped on his arm and pulled the knife from his wrist. Then he stepped back and waited for Gray Eagle to announce his decision. Fighting Hawk knew that there were at least half a dozen arrows pointing at both of them. Gray Eagle's voice was low and dangerous, "Little Elk, since this was no honor fight, you will be allowed to live.But you have shown that you have no honor. You will be driven from our village, to carry the scars of a coward. If you are found by any of our warriors, you will be killed." Gray Eagle looked around the village, "Are there any that would speak for this man?" When there was no voices coming from the collected village, Gray Eagle walked forward and cut each cheek from eye to chin. Any who saw him would know that he had been driven out as a coward. He ordered two warriors to take him to the edge of Cheyenne territory and release him, with only his knife. No one watched as he was taken away. Fighting Hawk moved back to Gray Eagle and watched as the three friends of Little Elk slowly made their way through the crowd. Fighting Hawk whispered to Gray Eagle; he looked at the crowd for a few minutes before motioning for some older warriors to come to him. Fighting Hawk figured that these were men that Gray Eagle could trust to handle any job. They nodded and disappeared quietly into the crowd. Gray Eagle stood and held up his hands; the crowd became quiet. "Are there any other challengers to Big Cloud?" There were small laughs and a great many head shakes, but there were no challenges. Gray Eagle turned to Big Cloud and announced, loud enough for everyone to hear, "You are now a Cheyenne warrior. Let every warrior know that you are no longer a boy, but a man in the eyes of the Cheyenne." There were murmurs of agreement throughout the crowd, and Big Cloud had a big smile on his face as he stood before the crowd. Fighting Hawk told Moon Flower how sorry he was about her brother, but she just grunted and said that he had made his choice, and that he could live with it. Fighting Hawk nodded his understanding, but he still held her in his arms that night. As she turned away from him, he knew that she cried, so he pretended to be asleep. She never said anything about it or about Little Elk again. Fighting Hawk and Gray Eagle were sitting at the cook fire talking when the six warriors returned. They waited until Gray Eagle motioned for them to approach. The leader of the men sat down at the fire. Fighting Hawk could tell that he was no stranger to sitting at Gray Eagle's fire. He spoke softly and gestured out into the darkness. Gray Eagle nodded his head a couple of times before he sat back and spoke, "You were right. The three of them collected their things and their horses and left following Little Elk. They were followed to the place where he was released. There they waited." Gray Eagle motioned to the men around him, "They moved quickly and unarmed them. Then they marked them as cowards and sent them out to join their friend. They packed their things and returned with them. What do you think that we should do with their horses and things?" Fighting Hawk didn't hesitate before he answered, "It was Big Cloud that was wronged by Little Elk. I think that for trying to harm him, Big Cloud should receive their horses and things." Gray Eagle smiled and nodded his head to the warrior beside him. The warrior smiled and led the others to make a call on Big Cloud. Gray Eagle and Fighting Hawk resumed their talk, with another matter settled. ------- Chapter 8: Faces of Change It was in the middle of summer when Moon Flower and the girls cornered Fighting Hawk about the woman. He had just returned from hunting and the woman was unloading the deer from the horse. They said that she needed a name, and that he needed to take her as his woman. He looked at them without speaking. It was Moon Flower that spoke, "There are new captives in the village, and she should be dressed. She does not complain at still being naked, or having a rope around her neck. We have to lead her everywhere that she goes away from the lodge even though the entire village knows that she would never run away from you. She loves you, and you would have to kill her before she would ever leave you." They waited for Fighting Hawk to speak. He knew her words were true, but he still didn't want to take the woman for his own. There were enough things in his life that needed his attention. He spoke slowly and with great thought. "There are times that I cannot keep the four of you happy. I know that if you didn't find pleasure in each other's arms, I would die of exhaustion. Now you want to add another woman for me to keep happy." He shook his head and the women giggled. It was Moon Flower that spoke again, "Fighting Hawk you have shown us great pleasure. I am much older than you and I had never known what love was supposed to feel like." She waved at the girls beside her. "These women were captives. From the first time that they were taken, they knew only pain and humiliation. You have given us only love and pleasure. You have shown us that we can love you, and each other. We know that if you punish us that we deserve it, and that you do not do it just for your pleasure. We love to have you between our legs, but all that we need to be happy is to be near you and to know that you love us. She is like that. You sold her to Wild Buffalo, and she knew the first time that he took her that she would never give herself to any other man. She told us that she would rather die than have any other man. We know what she feels for you, and you need to take her as your woman, or kill her. To her, living as she is, is worse than death." All of the girls were shaking their heads, showing that they agreed with Moon Flower. Fighting Hawk went over to the knives, kept in sheathes and selected the sharpest skinning knife that he could find. He stood before them and asked, "Are you sure about this?" He looked at each woman and even though there were tears in her eyes she still nodded her head. He turned and walked through the lodge flaps. None of the women followed him. She was bending over the deer. Her dark hair was almost black as it shone in the sun. He knew the bright green eyes that she had were just above a line of freckles that covered her cheeks. Those freckles ran from her neck down to her breasts, he knew that she hated the freckles, but he liked them. When she was embarrassed they would turn a darker color than the red skin around them. He found it pleasing to watch. Her breasts were small, like her nipples. Even when she was excited and her nipples stood up, they were hard to hold on to. Like the rest of her, her hips were narrow and her hard butt could almost pass for a boy. But even though she was small, only about five feet tall, she was strong. He saw that she had managed to unload the deer and move it to the skinning rack. He walked up behind her and grabbed her hair in his hand. He pulled her to her feet, and back against his chest. The knife rested against her neck. He spoke softly into her ear. "I have been told that if I wouldn't take you as my woman, that you would rather be dead. Is this now your time to die?" He waited for her answer. She didn't speak, but she nodded her head. He saw the tears race down her cheeks, but she stood passively against him with her hands at her sides. He whispered again, "Would you stand so quietly if I sold you to another warrior?" This time her voice came out with a hard edge. "No. I would fight him until he killed me, or brought me back." Fighting Hawk could hear the conviction of her words, and knew that she was telling the truth. He whispered again, "Then there is only one thing that I can do with you." With that there was a flash of steel and his knife made a clean cut. The rope fell to the ground. He didn't release her as he said to her, "You are now called Little Mule. You are as stubborn as a mule, and I think that the name suits you. Go inside and tell Moon Flower that you need a dress. You will carry this knife, and I hope that you always remember that it was the one that set you free." When he released her she turned and stared into his eyes, "Does this mean that you will take me as your woman?" Fighting Hawk nodded his head sadly, and she launched herself at him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. She covered his face with kisses and she spoke words of love. He had to pry her from his neck, but when her feet touched the ground she was off and running to the lodge. He couldn't figure out why he was smiling, when he knew the trouble that he was letting himself in for. He vowed that he would never take another captive. That night Little Mule was even louder than she had been that night in the clearing, almost a year ago. She was just as passionate and aggressive, and her pleasure came more easily than ever before. With her delicate legs wrapped around his waist she screamed her pleasure as he thundered into her small body. Their violence and passion was almost a living thing in itself. When they lay gasping for breath, Fighting Hawk noticed the women were all sitting and staring at them with looks of wonder on their faces. Those were the same looks that the women gave them in the clearing that night so long ago. He nudged Little Mule and she looked at the other women. She smiled shyly and hid her face in Fighting Hawk shoulder. He looked at Moon Flower and said, "What?" She acted startled as she blinked a few times and looked at the other girls. The spell had been broken. There was open astonishment on their faces as Moon Flower said, "I have heard stories of how you raped her the first night, and what you did after. I heard that it changed her, but the stories of your coupling on the last night are still talked about today." Moon Flower shook her head and wiped the sweat from her face. "I had never believed what they said. I couldn't believe that anything could be as they described it. Such violence and passion and love all rolled into a single moment. I have looked into the faces of the women that were there that night, as they told of what they saw. It scared me to think that anything could be so intense. Many of the women and even some of the warriors that were there, still say that they dream about that night. I know that I will never forget what I saw here tonight." As she spoke Fighting Hawk could see the girls nodding their agreement of her words. He snorted his contempt for such childish things and lay down to go to sleep. The next evening on his way back to the lodge, he noticed strange looks coming from many of the villagers. He ignored them but it still bothered him. When he got back he asked what was going on. It was Bright Dove that told the story. "Little Mule was heard in the lodges all around ours. Most of the people had heard the story of last year and when they heard her cries of passion, it spread throughout the village. All day there have been women finding excuses to visit the lodge and ask about last night. Even though we told them nothing, as soon as they saw her they were off spreading tales." Fighting Hawk snorted his contempt again, but when he looked at Little Mule he could see what they had seen. Her eyes shone and her hair seemed to have a life of its own; flowing and bouncing as she moved. Her skin almost looked like it could shine in the sun. But when he saw the smile on her face it couldn't hide the feelings that she felt. He nodded to her when he looked at Bright Dove. She just nodded her head, "She has been like that all day. You could hit her with a stick and she would just smile. I don't even think that she would feel it." Fighting Hawk shook his head and went into the lodge. That night Bright Dove came to his blankets, "Please make me feel like that." Fighting Hawk looked at her and told her that it had to come from within her, it was nothing that he could do, but he would try to bring it out. Fighting Hawk did everything that he could to make her pleasure peak, and she did many times. But when they fell asleep late in the night, he knew that she would not shine in the light. After that the girls seemed to accept that it was just her, and that it would always be something that they would have to dream about. The next morning Fighting Hawk went hunting with Big Cloud. They were returning with their deer on their backs, and stopped to rest. Fighting Hawk said, "Big Cloud, do you remember what your life was like before I took you hunting?" Fighting Hawk saw the painful memories cross his face. He nodded, but he didn't say what he felt about it. Fighting Hawk continued, "I have an idea and I would like your help." Big Cloud looked him in the eye and said, "Fighting Hawk, you can have my life if you ask it." Fighting Hawk shook his head and said that his help would be enough. Fighting Hawk sat down to explain what he wanted. "The widows in the village concern me. They have nobody to help them, except the charity that is given. I want to do something that will help them, without it being charity. I want to give them back their pride." Big Cloud was listening intently. This was something that he personally knew about, and he knew what it could mean, to many people. Fighting Hawk told him of his plan to take the older boys of the widows and teach them how to hunt and to be a warrior, just as Fighting Hawk had done with Big Cloud. Big Cloud saw the reason behind all that Fighting Hawk had done for him. He looked at him with hurt in his eyes. "All that you did for me was just charity. It was never about me, but helping a boy to stand on his feet, so that you didn't have to feed them yourself." Fighting Hawk saw that Big Cloud didn't understand what he had in mind. "Yes, it was all charity; just like it was charity when you helped me drag that boar back to the village." Big Cloud looked hard at Fighting Hawk, trying to understand his meaning. Fighting Hawk saw that he was listening, so he continued. "You helped me, just like I helped you. Charity is nothing more than help. But when people help each other, then it isn't charity. Pride is being able to hold your head up when you are getting help. When we hunt buffalo, we all go to help. The warrior kills the buffalo; the women skin and prepare the meat, everybody helping each other. That is not charity; that is working together. When we went hunting we worked together. I taught you how to hunt, but you did it yourself. Tell me where the charity is" Big Cloud wasn't as sure of himself as he had been. Fighting Hawk's words made sense, and he was no longer sure what charity was. He shook his head and told Fighting Hawk that he didn't know any more. "That is good. When you can say that you don't know, it means that you are wise enough to understand there are things that you don't understand, and you're willing to listen and learn. You said that I taught you to hunt so that I wouldn't have to feed you myself. I never had to feed you at all. It was not my responsibility. Yes, I give food to the widows, but I don't have to. And I don't even know who gets the food. Moon Flower takes care of that." Fighting Hawk could see that Big Cloud was surprised. Fighting Hawk smiled at his confusion. "Women will take things from other women easier than from a man, and men will take things from men easier than a woman. It has to do with pride again. Also, remember that men will do jobs for a woman easier than a man. When you ask one of the old men to do a job, he thinks that it is charity, but when a woman asks he see it as a job. That is also pride. Pride can kill you if you are not careful. So you see, I never knew who got the food, or what Moon Flower did to give your mother the pride to accept it." Fighting Hawk waited until he was sure that Big Cloud had understood all that he had said before he continued. "I saw a young boy that needed to learn to be a man. If I didn't teach you, then somebody else would. What do you think you would be like if Little Elk took you out hunting that day, instead of me?" Big Cloud understood what Fighting Hawk was trying to say. He knew what he would have been like, "I would have been a bigger bully, and probably banished just like he has been." Fighting Hawk nodded his approval. "You say that it was not about you, but you see that it was all about you, and it was not charity. Just like what I want to do for the boys now. If we want warriors that are men, we must teach them what a man is. That is why I want your help. I think that you know what a man is, and I want all of the young boys to learn that. We can't teach other warrior's sons these things, but we can teach the boys that have no father to teach them." Fighting Hawk watched as Big Cloud thought about his words. Big Cloud looked at Fighting Hawk and said, "You want to teach the boys how to hunt and care for their lodge. You want to teach them how to be a good man, and to teach the younger ones that follow behind them. You think about the Cheyenne people many years from now, and I only think about myself. I am not good enough to help you." Big Cloud hung his head, and Fighting Hawk smiled at him. "Even after that you still think about yourself. What makes you think that you are the only one that does something stupid sometimes? I do them all of the time; you just don't get to see all of them. You didn't understand. That does not make you any less of a man. But a man learns from his mistakes and tries not to repeat them. You would be the perfect man to help me. Do not doubt yourself, or what you have learned. You say that I look far into the future. I don't see it like that, but more of right and wrong. We have talked about right and wrong many times, but let us look at it again. When you do something you know if it is right or wrong. Then you must look and ask if it is right or wrong, for the village, or the Cheyenne people. Or will it be right in the future. When I decided to teach you I knew that it would be right to help all of the boys, but I am just one man. And I still have other things to do, just as you do. Now we are two men, and we can work together to teach the boys. It is all very simple, not something hard to do." Fighting Hawk sat back and watched as Big Cloud smiled at him. When they returned to the village that day, a plan had been formed. They went to visit the lodges of some of the older boys. There wasn't a widow that didn't know Fighting Hawk and welcome him to the cook fire. When they sat, he let Big Cloud explain the reason for their visit. He added that both of them would be teaching the boys that wanted to learn about hunting. The widows had seen the changes in Big Cloud, and many hoped for the same things in their own boys. Fighting Hawk made sure to stress that each boy had to want to learn. They would not spend their time with any boy that wasn't willing to work hard. Each of the boys that they visited had visions of themselves at the ceremonial fire, standing to be accepted as a warrior. None of them refused and all swore to work hard. Fighting Hawk smiled and told each of them to be at Big Cloud's lodge at sunrise the next morning. Fighting Hawk sat at Gray Eagle's cook fire. He watched as Gray Eagle walked around the lodge carrying a bucket of milk. Fighting Hawk smirked before Gray Eagle shot him a nasty glare, "Not a single word." He disappeared into the lodge and then Gray Eagle and Water Lilly came out to sit at the cook fire. It was Gray Eagle that spoke first, "There are times that I could kill that cow." But Water Lilly shot him a glare of her own, "And if you did, I would send you out for milk anyway, so you better take good care of that cow." Fighting Hawk couldn't help but to grin. Since the baby Water Lilly had made her presence known in the lodge, but Fighting Hawk knew that Gray Eagle only said those things to get her going. He knew that they loved each other more than ever. Fighting Hawk told Gray Eagle of his plan with the other boys of the village, and explained that Big Cloud was helping him. He told how they would prepare the boys until winter, and then take them on a winter hunt. Gray Eagle listened intently; he could see the plan behind the plan and smiled. Water Lilly saw the benefits to the widows in the village and said that he was doing a good thing. Fighting Hawk knew that she saw only a small part of the whole, but Gray Eagle nodded his agreement at her statement. As the conversation turned to Little Mule, Fighting Hawk hung his head. He knew that they would hear sooner or later, but had hoped to put this off for as long as possible. Water Lilly asked about the rumors, but Gray Eagle shot her a warning look. Fighting Hawk could understand the curiosity. He said that he knew what was being said, but that he didn't have any idea what all of the fuss was about and suggested that if she were curious that she talk to Moon Flower or one of the other girls. They were kind enough to let the subject drop. Fighting Hawk spent his mornings teaching hunting with Big Cloud. Afternoons were back to the reading lodge. When he wasn't needed, he spent all day in the reading lodge. Time was moving quickly for Fighting Hawk, and he felt it slipping away from him. He feared the mountain of books, and that he wouldn't be able to learn enough. Each book that he read only confirmed his fear. He had more questions when he finished a book than when he started. Fighting Hawk was happy about the break. He had to lead the main force of the warriors to meet with Gray Eagle. Gray Eagle had been gone for a week, and Fighting Hawk found that he was anxious to go. When the last of the warriors were ready, they set out. Fighting Hawk set a demanding pace. He sent two warriors ahead to scout as they rode. He enjoyed the activity and soon felt like his old self. The warriors noticed the change in him and relaxed as well. By the end of the first day they were all relaxed and in good spirits. Late in the afternoon of the third day they reached the camp agreed upon by Gray Eagle. He was there waiting for them. As Fighting Hawk sat at the cook fire Gray Eagle told of a new development. This wagon train had soldiers with it. Fighting Hawk thought for a moment before he asked if they had found the other wagon attacks yet. Gray Eagle said that they were moving slower, and probably wouldn't find them before the following day. Fighting Hawk suggested that they wait to see what they would do. Gray Eagle agreed and they settled down to wait. Before the sun came up Fighting Hawk slipped to the wagon train. He watched the activities and noticed that these people were much more disciplined. The more that he watched, the more that it bothered him. He couldn't understand why, but he knew that there was something. It was about noon that the scout rode in and reported finding the previous wagon train. He watched as at least half of the settlers and most of the Army rode out to investigate. He ran swiftly and got to the first sight minutes after they did. He watched as they examined the wagons and the graves. When they found the lone body he watched as they all set out to follow his trail back. Fighting Hawk followed them easily as they moved slow, watching for ambush. He thought that it was strange, but still he followed and to see what they would do. It was difficult, but he managed to slip ahead of them, since he knew where he was going. He found a good knoll and set about to wait. It was only about five minutes before the group rode into the camp. They looked at everything before deciding to bury the bodies and burn the wagons with everything still in them. He watched the wagon-master tell one of the soldiers to bring more men to help bury the bodies. When the soldier saluted him, everything fell into place. The wagon train was a fake; they were all soldiers. Then he realized that there were almost no women in the group. Fighting Hawk slipped back to Gray Eagle and the others. He explained that he believed them all to be soldiers, and that he thought that there was many more hiding in the wagons. He pointed out that there were only a few women in the whole train and no children at all. He said that to attack would bring the soldiers down on them and only hasten their defeat. Gray Eagle considered his words and announced that they would let this one pass through, and watch what happened. Fighting Hawk said that he would take the warriors back, and leave the advanced party with Gray Eagle. He nodded his agreement. The next morning the warriors set out for the village. Most were complaining that Fighting Hawk was running from shadows. No one would come out and openly challenge him, but there were bad feeling from the warriors. Fighting Hawk ignored them all. Only Big Cloud understood the wisdom of his actions. Back in the village the rumors ran rampant, but Fighting Hawk returned to his studies. Fighting Hawk's lodge showed no signs that any of the women had heard any rumors, but he knew that they had. Fighting Hawk was shocked the next night when Moon Flower had a black eye, and Little Mule had bruises on her cheeks. When Fighting Hawk asked about these things he was told that it was woman's business, and it did not concern him. He was concerned that they had fought among themselves, but he could tell that they got along too well for that, so he took their advice and pretended not to notice. ------- Chapter 9 It was two weeks later that Gray Eagle and the advanced party rode into the village. The story quickly spread through the village. Once the bodies had been buried and the wagons burned the wagon train set out west. Gray Eagle and the warriors moved with them and watched as they moved through the great mountains and down into the forest. When they arrived into the forest they joined a camp of five hundred soldiers and watched as every wagon unload five soldiers and many weapons. The following day three hundred more soldiers followed them into the camp. Gray Eagle said that they slipped away as the soldiers broke camp and headed back toward La Junta. At a celebration fire Gray Eagle praised Fighting Hawk for his sharp eye and his ability to see the truth in their trap. The warriors were strangely quiet, but Gray Eagle pretended not to notice. The advanced party was visited by every warrior in the village, and it was many days before the village spoke of the greatness of Fighting Hawk. But Fighting Hawk was too busy with the business of life to listen to the rumors. Pretty Storm stopped Fighting Hawk one morning when he and Big Cloud were leaving to hunt, and asked him how Moon Flower and Little Mule were doing. He said that they were fine, and that the bruising was healing fine. Before she could move away he asked about the fight that they had been in. She looked at him closely, and he quickly said that they wouldn't tell him the details, and that he would like to know. She smiled and nodded. He then heard that while they were at the river a group of women called Fighting Hawk a coward and said that he should be run from the village. She said that Moon Flower and Little Mule bested nine squaws and still walked away with their heads held high. Fighting Hawk smiled proudly at their actions and thanked Pretty Storm for telling him the story. That evening in the lodge Fighting Hawk sat Moon Flower and Little Mule down in the center of the lodge. He took the girls outside to the cook fire and helped them prepare the evening meal, not that they would allow him to do much. Once cooked, he carried the food to the two women. When he handed them their food he said that he was proud that two little women would fight against nine big squaws just for his honor, and that he was very proud of them. They ate their dinner embarrassed at the attention, but he knew that they secretly loved every second of it. That night nobody heard Moon Flower's soft moans of pleasure, but Little Mules screams of passion filled the night air, and the next morning there were knowing smiles as he made his way to Big Cloud's lodge. When he arrived Big Cloud and the boys were waiting for him. He saw the smirk on Big Cloud's face but pretended not to. After greeting each other, they headed into the forest. Fighting Hawk and Big Cloud watched as the boys found the trails of animals, and began the task of hunting them down. Each day they would have two of the boys, and Fighting Hawk made sure that they were different. He wanted them always to have different partners, and in that way they would learn to work with everybody. It also let the warriors talk to them about the things that make a man, and each day they would see that both of the warriors said the same things. There were no more wagon trains sighted that year. When late fall arrived Fighting Hawk and Big Cloud visited the boys and told them about the winter hunt. They were all excited, and the next morning when the sun peeked over the ridge of the mountains, the two warriors and four boys walked into the forest, carrying only a knife. One of the warriors was stomping loudly, while the other smirked and the boys giggled. The snows fell on the village and winter set in. The women of Fighting Hawk's lodge were quiet. They missed him terribly and knew that he would not return until the spring. They had made his last night with them one of total passion. All of them had gone to his blankets, and he had not slept the whole night. They were all tired and sore the next day, but all wore happy smiles on their faces. Little Mule shone like the sun, and other girls giggled at her smile. But the long cold winter would wither those smiles. The girls spent their days foraging in the forest. They collected anything that animals could eat. The horses needed food during the winter, and Fighting Hawk had a large number of horses. They always found that they had enough to stop by and feed the cow at the lodge of Gray Eagle. Each day one of the girls would visit with Water Lilly as she fed the cow. They spoke of the things that women speak, when men's ears are safely away from them. They laughed and complained, and Water Lilly always spoke the thanks for the care of the cow. One day Fighting Hawk spotted a hunting party of the Cheyenne. He knew that the village was not all of the Cheyenne people, but that they lived in different villages. Once he made sure that these were honorable warriors he called and entered the camp. Once he greeted them in the Cheyenne custom, they greeted him and asked him to sit at their fire. He sat and talked with them. He found that they were hunting a band of marked Cheyenne warriors that had been stealing from their village. Fighting Hawk frowned and asked about these warriors. They shook their heads and said that they didn't know who they were, but that there were four of them. Fighting Hawk suspected who the four were, and asked what the warriors intended to do with them. He listened as they told of things that Fighting Hawk thought men should never do to another. He considered the safety of the boys and asked which way they would recommend. They understood his reasons and pointed out an area to the north. Fighting Hawk was sure that Big Cloud and the boys were close by and said his thanks and moved off to join them. He hoped that Little Elk ran hard and fast out of the Cheyenne territory, but he knew that either way his life would end the same way, no matter how far that he ran. When he rejoined Big Cloud he told of the hunt for the warriors. He saw Big Cloud's face as it got hard, and knew that he was aware of the dangers. They moved slower and were more alert after that. The northern mountains and forest proved plentiful for the hunters. They cooked their food and skinned the animals. They made heavy clothes and blankets of skins. The boys learned the bow, and many wished that they had helped Big Cloud carry water, rather than laugh at him. Their arms quivered when they tried to lift them over their heads. They were so sore that they didn't even want to eat, because they couldn't lift the food to their mouths. Fighting Hawk knew that it would pass, but there would be other days even worse to come. They traveled far to the north, and then headed east. After a week heading east Fighting Hawk felt the presence of something. He called to Big Cloud that he was going to scout ahead. The boys dropped wearily to rest as he left. As soon as he was clear of them he started to run. He circled wide around them and examined the trail. There were two additional tracks on top of theirs. He moved quietly up the trail watching for danger. When he was close to the boys he saw two scouts watching them. They were crouched behind a tree. When the arrow struck the tree beside them they froze, slowly lifting their open hands. As they slowly turned to face Fighting Hawk his arrow stood ready. They looked at each other and said that they meant no harm to him or the boys. Fighting Hawk gauged their words carefully. He asked why they were following them, and they said that they were searching for a band of renegade warriors. Fighting Hawk relaxed and eased his bow. He motioned for them to get down, and then called a greeting into the clearing. Fighting Hawk was glad of taking the precaution when an arrow struck a nearby tree. When he was sure that there wouldn't be another, he called out to Big Cloud and said that he was coming into the clearing. When he led the scouts into the clearing he saw where the arrow had come from. Swift Pony, the youngest of the boys, sat with his head hung in shame as Fighting Hawk saw the others relax their arrows. Fighting Hawk walked over to Swift Pony and told him to go and get his arrow. He knew that it would do nothing for his pride, but it had to be done. The scouts watched the boy slink past them with his head down, and smiled. Fighting Hawk motioned for the scouts to sit. When everybody had sat they told why they were there. They had been trailing three warriors that had attacked a white settlement and carried off captives. They had lost the trail, and when they found their trail decided that it should be checked out. Fighting Hawk listened and nodded his head in understanding. He asked about the fourth warrior, and they looked at each other before asking how he knew about the fourth warrior. Fighting Hawk told of the meeting of the Cheyenne warriors hunting the four renegades, and where he had encountered them. He said that it sounded like the same ones. The scouts relaxed as they said that they had encountered those warriors, and one of the men had been killed in the raid. Fighting Hawk thought for a minute before he spoke. "They are probably heading to Ute territory. Their marked face means instant death by any Cheyenne. If they have captives and want to trade them, then they will probably head to the Ute." The scouts considered his words and nodded their understanding. They thanked the warriors and stood to leave, but one of the scouts asked, "How did you know that we were there?" Fighting Hawk shrugged and said that he knew that there was somebody following, so he went to find out who was there. They eyed him suspiciously and one of the boys stated, "This is Fighting Hawk." The scouts looked at each other again and then back at Fighting Hawk. The one doing the talking said, "We have heard of you, one of the greatest Cheyenne warriors." Fighting Hawk was surprised, and the scouts laughed. One of them said, "Do you think that stories of you aren't talked about outside of your village? Every warrior that meets another tells a story about Fighting Hawk. I thought that you were a myth, but here you sit. And after catching us with our britches down, I can see that the stories are real. Now we have a story to tell about the great Fighting Hawk." They laughed as they headed back down the trail. Fighting Hawk looked at the boys and frowned, the one that had spoken looked at his feet. He sent them to help Swift Pony find his arrow, and they all grumbled at the insult. Fighting Hawk looked at Big Cloud and said, "Why would any warrior tell stories about me?" Big Cloud burst out laughing. With his sides hurting and tears on his face he finally managed to say, "Oh ... Oh ... Well, let me think. Gray Eagle, the greatest Cheyenne warrior that ever was names Fighting Hawk as his son. That is enough to have stories told about you. But then when challenged, Fighting Hawk kills Little Buffalo, without getting a scratch. Little Buffalo was the best warrior with a knife in any Cheyenne village. That could cause a few stories, too. But on the same night you shamed every Cheyenne for not being a man. You feed the widows and orphans of the village. Gray Eagle puts you in charge of an attack against our enemies; and every warrior, no matter how old they are, follows you into battle. You destroy our enemies without losing a single man. And then you do it again. And if you want to talk about stories, the stories of Fighting Hawk and the women are really good. You live with four women that will scratch the eyes out of any woman that looks at you. Then after you give every warrior a chance, you tame a wildcat in front of all of them. She submits to you meek as a kitten, and then her cries of passion ring through the forest for close to an hour. Then, hold on now, and then you sell this tame kitten to Wild Buffalo for a fortune. Wild Buffalo, who has tamed more women than horses, and she tears him up so many times that he still walks funny, and he gives her back to you. The same hellcat that Wild Buffalo said could never be tamed, follows you around the village like a puppy. Her cries are heard all through the village. There is not a woman in the village that doesn't speak your name in her sleep. And that goes for my mother as well." Big Cloud was still holding his sides as he fell to the ground laughing. Fighting Hawk stomped off in disgust, as the boys came trouping back. As the snows melted Fighting Hawk and Big Cloud turned back south. They worked themselves through the mountains and over the ridges. The mud and water made travel slow, but all things taught the boys that life goes on through the good and the bad. They struggled and worked together to get to the next peak. At one peak where they made camp for the night, Fighting Hawk heard the sounds of approaching horses. He motioned to Big Cloud and he slipped from the clearing with his bow. There was a call from the darkness and Fighting Hawk eased his bow. He returned the greeting and allowed them to enter the camp. When he recognized the two scouts he motioned for the boys to lower their bows, the scouts smiled as they led in the captives and two warriors with ropes around their necks. One of them was Little Elk. Little Elk cursed and spat at Fighting Hawk. When Big Cloud entered the camp from behind them he kicked the feet out from under Little Elk, who choked once as he cursed again. He growled at Big Cloud, who drove his bow into his stomach as he walked away. Many of the boys knew Little Elk and had been at the Ceremony fire the night he was driven from the village. They now saw what becomes of outcasts. Fighting Hawk motioned the scouts to the fire and the waiting food. They nodded gratefully, and helped the four captive women to the fire. They seemed afraid of the Indians, and Fighting Hawk knew that they saw all Indians as the same. The scouts introduced Fighting Hawk and Big Cloud. One of the women said, "Is that the man we heard you talking about? He doesn't look like a great fighter, or anything else." The other women bowed their heads and Fighting Hawk saw that they were blushing. He could imagine what they had heard. He looked at the woman that had spoken and said, "You no look like lady, thought Little Elk had better taste." He then turned to the scouts and said that they would scout the trail for a while. The scout nodded his understanding and apologized at the woman's manners. Fighting Hawk and Big Cloud led the boys out into the darkness. As they walked along the trail that the scout had taken, Fighting Hawk pointed out the shod hoof prints of the horses. He knew that there were other things on the boy's minds. He waited until the question was asked. It came soon enough. Fighting Hawk motioned to a nearby cluster of trees. As they sat under the trees Fighting Hawk explained the life of an outcast, and some of the things that he knew that Little Elk had done. The boys listened and asked questions; Fighting Hawk did what he could to explain why Little Elk had done the things that he had, and why the scouts had him tied up instead of killing him. He did his best to help the boys to understand, when suddenly they all heard the rustling of the approach of riders. He motioned for them to spread out and be ready. There were two men and three young men. All were carrying muskets, and following the trail of the scouts. Fighting Hawk motioned and all five were knocked from their horses and the muskets taken. None made a sound with a knife at their throat. Fighting Hawk ordered for them to stand and each helped his captive up, never moving his knife from his throat. Fighting Hawk ordered Swift Pony to collect the horses and muskets and to bring them to the camp. When Fighting Hawk entered the camp the scouts had their muskets ready. They saw the prisoners and relaxed as they sat down heavily. The women all stood as they watched the Indians holding knives at the throats of their family. Fighting Hawk pushed the man in his hands to the ground at the scout's feet, and moved to watch as the next was deposited beside him. After all five were dumped on the ground, Big Cloud and the boys moved away. Fighting Hawk held his knife by the blade. When they tried to rise up he hit them on the head with the handle. He knew that it stung, but not enough to really hurt him. When they realized that they were going to have to stay put, they sat and crossed their legs and hands. Fighting Hawk smiled and moved away and turned his attention to the scouts. The scout bellowed at the men. Swift Pony dropped the muskets at the scout's feet and tied the horses to a tree. After what Fighting Hawk considered a through tongue lashing the men were sent back to the town that they had come from, without their muskets. Fighting Hawk took it all in, and smiled as they left. The scouts shook their heads in disgust and apologized for the men, but there was little that they could do. Fighting Hawk nodded his understanding. He motioned to Big Cloud and the boys and they quietly left the camp. Once back in the woods, Fighting Hawk said that they might try again, and that it would be wise to have a guard tonight. He split the boys into four two hour watches. He told the first to come with him and sent the others to sleep under the trees that they had been talking at. He showed him where to sit and watch, and how to signal if he needed help. He then moved off to watch himself. He didn't know if the boys would be able to stay awake, but he would watch, as a precaution. It was approaching early dawn and Fighting Hawk was tired. He had been restless all night, and couldn't understand why. Everything seemed okay, but he could feel something. He was sitting with his back to a large boulder when he heard a sound. Not a loud sound; and it was probably made by one of the boys. But it seemed strange though, the boys had stayed at the lookout point all night. He listened, but he didn't hear the sound again. He relaxed back against the boulder and thought about just closing his eyes for a few minutes when a twig snapped. He was instantly alert. The sound had come from behind him. Only the steep cliff face was behind him, but he knew that something had made that sound. He swiftly got his feet under him. He stayed crouched down behind the boulder, waiting to see which side the sound would move to. He was tense as he listened. There was a soft sound to his right, and it was close. He didn't hesitate as he moved left quickly. He circled the boulder in a few quick steps, and there in front of him was the last renegade He knew the man, but not his name. He was big and strong and not very bright. At times he could be fast, and now he looked ready for anything. Fighting Hawk didn't have his bow, but he was sure that he was faster than the man. His words of overconfidence rang in his ears and he knew that to make a mistake, would mean his life. He took a couple of quick steps coming up silently behind him. He had his knife in his hand, but so did Fighting Hawk. As he turned his head to look, Fighting Hawk kicked the bend of his knee. He went down to his knees with a thud. Fighting Hawk had his hand in his hair and with the point of his knife at the base of his neck, he drove upward quickly. His knife only went in a few inches before it was stopped by hard bone. He twisted left and right, and then pushed again and it went in a few more inches. The big man twitched a few times, his knife falling to the ground. As Fighting Hawk pulled his knife out, the big man thudded to the ground. Fighting Hawk checked to make sure of his death. It was close to sunrise and he went to wake Big Cloud and the boys. Swift Pony was assigned this watch and Fighting Hawk pushed him off of the rock that he was sleeping on as he walked by. Swift Pony landed with a thud and a squeak as he got to his feet. When he saw Fighting Hawk looking at him he cringed and hung his head. Fighting Hawk pointed to the others and told him to go and wake them. He shuffled off to wake the others. Fighting Hawk sat tiredly on the boulder. When the others returned to join him they walked quietly to the camp. They sat around the fire and cut pieces of the meat still on a spit over the fire. It was dry but still had some flavor. They sat and ate in silence. Fighting Hawk had taught them as he had been taught, and taught them as he had taught the advanced party. They moved silently and quickly. When the scouts woke they were surprised to see the warriors sitting at the fire, but they made no sudden movements. Without looking at them Fighting Hawk motioned for them to sit and eat with the warriors. They looked at each other and then moved to sit at the fire. Fighting Hawk asked about the last warrior and they said that he had gotten away when they captured the other two, but they were planning to go back out after him, once the women were safely returned to the town. Fighting Hawk nodded his head, and looked at them curiously, "Don't you consider him a threat?" The older scout scoffed at this and said that they would probably have a hard time finding him. Fighting Hawk nodded his head and said, "It will not be that hard. Just look back over your shoulder about twenty paces. He will be there waiting for you." They both jumped up and spun around; one pulling his pistol and the other his knife. When they didn't see any danger they crept forward to investigate. They found the dead body; he had his knife, a musket, three pistols, and one more knife in each boot. They whistled as they sat back down at the fire. They asked when he had died, and Fighting Hawk looked at the sky and then said about an hour earlier. They both knew the importance of that statement. When the women woke up it was like the whole village was awake. They made so much noise that Fighting Hawk wanted to kill them himself. Part of it was the smell of them he knew, but he wished that they would leave. The two scouts hustled the women through the morning rituals and got them ready to leave. Once they were ready and on their horses, the two scouts stood before Fighting Hawk and Big Cloud. "We have heard the stories of Fighting Hawk, and we have even told a few of them ourselves. But nothing that we have ever heard comes close to meeting you. Without you we would both be dead, and the women back in renegade hands. You are a great warrior, and we will never forget you. If ever need us, we will stand at your side." Fighting Hawk listened to their words. He knew that they meant them now, but also knew that they would never stand with him, unless they had to. He nodded his head and they mounted their horses and were gone. Fighting Hawk told the boys to throw the body over the cliff, as he deserved no more. They brought back the weapons, after the body was gone. Fighting Hawk knew that the wolves would feast for a time on his remains. When they walked into the village Fighting Hawk and Big Cloud were tired, but the boys were bursting with energy. They walked with a spring in their step and the confidence of a warrior. They still had a lot to learn, but they were well on their way. Now they needed to practice the skill that they had learned. With that they were all delivered home. The stories of Fighting Hawk grew larger with their return to the village. Fighting Hawk sat at the cook fire of Gray Eagle. He asked if the day that they returned, he was as tired as Fighting Hawk felt this day. Gray Eagle smiled and said that he was much more tired than that. They both smiled at each other, and Fighting Hawk told of their journey and the end of Little Elk. Gray Eagle nodded, but made no comment. When he had finished he stood to leave. Gray Eagle said, "Your women are good women, they helped Water Lilly with the cow all winter. They do your lodge proud." Fighting Hawk knew that these words were true words of thanks from Gray Eagle. He nodded his head and turned to leave. At his lodge the women went crazy. He wasn't sure that he would live through it. They all wanted to be in his arms and in his lap at the same time. As tired as he was, it seemed to vanish as he held the women in his arms. He asked who still had work that needed doing, and there were moans of disappointment. All of them except the Stars still had work, so he sent all of them out, and concentrated his attention on the Stars. As Moon Flower entered, she joined the activities. Fighting Hawk wasn't even sure when it happened, but she was suddenly there. He didn't complain and pulled her into the middle of the fun. When Bright Dove came into the lodge she waited until the Stars were satisfied, and when they moved away to hold and cuddle each other, she moved in to join Moon Flower and Fighting Hawk. Fighting Hawk had a hard time keeping up with which woman was doing what to him, but he could tell each of them apart from their taste. They were as different as buffalo and beaver. Each was woman, but they were their own woman. When Little Mule came into the lodge she did nothing with Fighting Hawk, but concentrated her efforts on Moon Flower and Bright Dove. When they could take no more and moved off, she turned on Fighting Hawk with a fire in her eyes. He knew fear of failure when he looked into her eyes. She saw the tired look on his face, and smiled as she pushed him back and concentrated on his pleasure. Her own pleasure was already at the peak even before she took him in her mouth. As the night closed in the village listened to the screams of Little Mule, and Fighting Hawk knew that he would see the smirks of the women tomorrow. For some reason he didn't care anymore. ------- Chapter 10: The Same is Different Fighting Hawk entered his fifteenth year in the reading lodge. He had applied himself almost exclusively now that he didn't have to teach the boys. He only hunted once or twice a week, and all other times he was in the reading lodge. He was surprised when Little Mule came into the lodge. Gray Eagle had never allowed anyone into the lodge. It was even stricter than the Spirit Lodge. He looked at her and asked how she got in. She said that Water Lilly had sent her in to bring the food, and she held the tray she was carrying. He nodded and pointed to the ground; at his feet. She looked around and said that he should have a table and chair. It would make it easier to study. He stared at her and asked if she could read. She blushed and nodded her head. She said that her father let her go to school when he couldn't do anything else with her. Fighting Hawk laughed. She looked strangely at him and asked him how it was that he could read, and not speak English. Tom looked at her and spoke in English, "Who said that I couldn't speak English?" She stared at him as it became clear that there were many things that she still didn't know about him. She sat down on the ground with a thump, and spilled his lunch. He laughed at the shock on her face. "You knew every word that I said to you that night that you raped me." Tom looked at her and nodded his head. "All those months you knew what I was saying, but you pretended that you didn't unless I said it in Cheyenne. You made a fool out of me, just to have your fun." She looked mad, and Tom smiled at her, "No, it was not to have fun with you. If I had allowed you to speak English you would never have learned the Cheyenne language, and you would probably still have a rope around your neck. To be accepted, you have to be able to speak Cheyenne." She thought about it for a while, and Tom saw her anger cool. She begrudgingly accepted the reason, but her curiosity was getting the best of her. "How did a Cheyenne warrior learn to read and speck English so well?" He looked at her again, and closed the book that he was reading. He sat forward and took the tray of food that she had brought, and placed it on his lap. As he ate he said," Since you will not let me read, I might as well take a break and tell you what you want to know. Yes, I am now a Cheyenne warrior, but I was not always one. I was captured from a wagon train just like you. As a matter of fact I was taken about one year before you were. In that time I learned the Cheyenne language, learned to be a Cheyenne warrior and Gray Eagle took me as his son in front of the village. I led the attack on the wagon train because I was the Cheyenne warrior that Gray Eagle appointed to lead the warriors. I was appointed to lead them because it was my plan used to take the wagon train. Now I am starting my third year as a Cheyenne warrior. When I am in here I only speak English, and when I am out there I only speak Cheyenne." Tom looked at her and waited for her to speak. With her mouth hanging open she stuttered as she spoke, "I always thought that you were born here, and that all of these things you learned from birth. Now you tell me that you have only been here for two years. In a year you became the most powerful Cheyenne warrior in the whole Cheyenne nation. In two years you have become the greatest Cheyenne warrior to ever live. I have heard the rumors, and I know that at your word, every Cheyenne warrior would follow you to wipe out every white man in the Cheyenne territory. You could have anything that you want." She stared at him in astonishment. He looked at her as he shook his head. "This is what I want. And killing all of the white men is not the answer. It would just bring more white men, until there was nothing left of the Cheyenne people. What we want is to keep the people safe, not get them destroyed. We can't do that by fighting. We can kill so many white men that their dead bodies would fill every valley in the mountains, and there would still be more coming to fight. There aren't enough Cheyenne, so we have to use what we have to slow them down. There were no wagon trains this past year, and hopefully there will be none for a long time, but they will come again. We are just trying to survive." He could see that she was confused. He stood and took her hand in his. "Remember, outside this lodge there is only Cheyenne." He then led her to their lodge. He spoke to Moon Flower and she packed provisions as he prepared horses. Fighting Hawk led her out to the horse and helped her to climb up. He then jumped onto his own horse and led them from the village. She was not used to a horse and it took a long time before they could increase the speed. It took them more than a week to get to the plains. During that time Fighting Hawk explained the life of the Cheyenne; their need for honor, and love of nature. He explained that the Cheyenne people lived by hunting what they needed, careful to only take what they needed to live. When they reached the plains it was easy to follow the vultures in the sky. He showed her the buffalo slaughtered where they stood, and since it was a recent kill she got to see and smell the rotting carcasses stripped of their hides. She vomited at the sight and smell, and her anger flared. He explained how the white man hunted the buffalo for his hides, and the Cheyenne people would soon starve if they could not think of something to feed them. He explained that there were only so many deer, antelope, beaver and fox in the forest. Without the buffalo they were doomed. They did not attack wagon trains for fun, or for gain, but just to survive. The greed of the white man was killing them all, and since they couldn't stop it, they had to slow it down. She looked into his eyes and nodded her understanding. She said, "I never thought about why you did the things that you did, only that I was a captive. Now I see why you do them, and I understand what the Cheyenne people were saying now about stopping the white man, before it was too late. I never knew what they were doing, and I never would have thought about it as bad, without seeing this. They should all be killed and driven back to their own lands." Fighting Hawk smiled at her and said, "You remember what I told you? There are too many to kill all of them, and they would just keep coming. So we try to slow them and hope to find an answer before it is too late for us." She looked at him, and he could see the frustration in her face. He held her as she cried and pounded her fist against his chest. As they rode back toward the mountains, he looked at her and said, "If you want to return to the white world I will get you clothes and take you to the fort. You can say that you escaped from the Indians and they will take you in." She looked at him with a hard look on her face. She had fire in her words as she spoke, "When you brought me out here I might have said yes. But now that I know what type of people they are, why would I want to go back to them? I will not lose you. The only way that will happen is if you kill me yourself, because I will fight anybody else to my last breath." Fighting Hawk nodded his understanding, but said, "I don't want you to feel like a captive. You have had the chance to leave and you have chosen your life. From now on, you must live that life that you have chosen." She nodded her understanding, and they started the long ride back to the village. When they reached the top of the first peak Fighting Hawk looked back over the plains. He saw something in the distance and decided to get a better look. They sat and waited until Fighting Hawk could make out the movement of a wagon train. He hung his head as he told her what it was. She still had fire in her voice when she said that they should kill them all, before they could get into the mountains. Fighting Hawk shook his head and said that it was not that easy, not if they wanted to avoid the army killing every Indian that they could find. She nodded and they mounted up again. They rode hard for the village. When Fighting Hawk returned to the village, he told Gray Eagle of the wagon train moving toward the mountains. It was earlier than they expected, and Gray Eagle sent scouts out to keep watch on their progress. Fighting Hawk told Gray Eagle of another plan that had come to him during the winter. Gray Eagle listened with a smile as Fighting Hawk told of a new deception, and how it had to be staged to make it all work. The village heard Gray Eagle laughing as they talked. The lodge was quiet when Fighting Hawk returned that evening. Moon Flower shrugged at his look, and he settled himself into his blankets. Little Mule left the lodge. Morning Star, Midnight Star and Bright Dove came and settled themselves across from him. Bright Dove spoke, but in English. "We know that you understand English, and we didn't want Moon Flower to understand what we said to you. Sarah told us about the things that you showed her, and told her. We never understood any of those things, or even why we were taken. We have grown to love our lives here, and the Cheyenne people. We are happy to be here and we don't want to leave. We understand that you do what you have to do to protect all of us, and we are proud of you for caring so much for the Cheyenne people." Each stood and leaned down to kiss Fighting Hawk, then to kiss Moon Flower as they left the lodge. Moon Flower looked at Fighting Hawk; he shrugged and said, "They now know of the buffalo and the danger of the Cheyenne people. In some small way they all feel a little bit responsible, and maybe a little bit ashamed." Moon Flower snorted and stood up. She marched out of the lodge and in short order there was four young women running though the lodge flaps, screeching and laughing. Moon Flower followed them with a stick and waved it over her head. They all were laughing so hard that they couldn't stand. Moon Flower had a crazy look in her eyes as she said, "Fighting Hawk just told me that you found out about the danger of the Cheyenne people, and that you feel somehow responsible. You are no more responsible than he is, and you see how he handles it. Be good Cheyenne women, and take care of the Cheyenne people, and you should never feel responsible about things that you cannot stop." All of the women were crying and hugging. Fighting Hawk shook his head and turned over in his blankets. The actions of women would always be a mystery to him. Fighting Hawk helped Gray Eagle prepare. Black Otter almost choked at the arrows that they wanted him to make, but since they wanted inferior arrows he could make the number that they asked for quickly. As he worked, his heart cried at the garbage that he had to make. How any warrior would even carry such a thing was beyond his understanding, but the two greatest warriors in the Cheyenne nation had asked for them. And it was such a strange thing to ask; look like Cheyenne arrows, but to have the markings wrong, no balance to the arrows and even to make them from the wrong wood. It was all so strange. When the young warriors started to volunteer for the advanced party, Gray Eagle told them that there wouldn't be an advanced party this time, but Fighting Hawk suddenly said that there was, and that they would have to compete again, just like before. The news spread quickly and the competition was in full force. Gray Eagle looked questioningly at Fighting Hawk and he explained that instead of the advanced party killing the men they could be taken with the others into the groups and it would help to insure that there were fewer deaths of the Cheyenne people. Gray Eagle smiled and said that it was a good plan. Fighting Hawk returned to his books and Gray Eagle led the advanced party on the scouting mission. When the time came to lead the other warriors to join him, Fighting Hawk set out with the warriors, with Big Cloud at his side. Fighting Hawk noticed that Big Cloud was making a name for himself among the warriors. They considered him wise and skillful, and Fighting Hawk knew that he could be trusted. When they reached the peak that Gray Eagle had decided on, they made camp and Fighting Hawk sent out scouts. They were back quickly with word that the wagon train was in the next valley. That night Gray Eagle sat at the cook fire, the advanced party was still watching the wagon train. Gray Eagle said that there were five soldiers with the wagon train, but that the wagon train itself was normal. They even had the normal animals. Fighting Hawk had a thought, but held his tongue. Gray eagle drew the wagons as they camped and showed where each person slept and how the soldiers patrolled the camp. Gray Eagle told Fighting Hawk later that he should have noticed the soldiers the last time, as there was no talking like this time. He said that everything felt right about this. Fighting Hawk suggested that a party of warriors be sent wide around the wagon train looking for signs for soldiers. He explained that they might still be keeping an eye on things. Gray Eagle smiled at the suggestion and sent word for his trusted men. They nodded at the instructions and left for a hard ride. Fighting Hawk then told Gray Eagle that he wanted the animals taken unharmed, and gray Eagle frowned. "Are you trying to have a cow in every lodge? Do you hate your fellow warriors so much?" Fighting Hawk laughed and said that he had a plan that might save the Cheyenne. Gray Eagle raised an eyebrow but didn't push. He knew that Fighting Hawk only spoke of his plans when they were completely thought out, and he knew that it was possible to accomplish his plan. Gray Eagle nodded and gave the orders to the warriors. It took three more days before the wagon train was over the pass and in the valley below. The scouting party returned and told of a company of soldiers following about ten miles behind. They were in the last valley now keeping watch on the wagon train. Gray Eagle talked this over with Fighting Hawk. Fighting Hawk considered the information. He said that they could still work things if they worked fast. Gray Eagle turned over the army problem to Fighting Hawk. Fighting Hawk called Big Cloud and a few warriors together. He said that they were going to hit the wagon train the following morning. He explained about the soldiers in the other valley and the lookouts for the wagon train. He explained what he wanted them to do. There were smiles on their faces and they rode out into the night. Fighting Hawk knew that Big Cloud would handle things right. The Cheyenne moved about an hour earlier than normal. The scouts and wagon-master were all unconscious, as well as the soldiers. Their bodies were stripped and dressed in Indian clothes. They even had braids made from horse hair, held on by head-bands. With just the light of predawn, they made their move. Quietly as shadows that entered the wagons and hit the people on the head. Then they were moved to the camp. Captives were selected as they slept. Wagons were looted for the things that the Cheyenne wanted, and the wagons rolled away quietly. Then the wagons were looted again, this time for gold and other things of value. Every man was searched and his pockets left inside out. Then the people were placed where it would look like they hid during an Indian attack. Arrows ended the life of the sleeping victims. The few scouts dressed as Indians were then shot by guns at sunrise. And the guns placed in the hands of the dead men. The scene looked good as Fighting Hawk looked around. He saw nothing that looked out of place. He picked up a lantern and started the wagons on fire. They all rode west toward the village, and then an hour later they stopped and put on the boots of the white men. They left many tracks as they threw buckskin britches into the bushes, and then they headed north toward the white settlements and La Junta. They rode hard until they came to a river. Once in the water they changed direction and covered their tracks. Not even the best warrior could follow their trail. It was slow and they moved quietly, but they left no tracks leading back to the village. They got there two days after Gray Eagle and the warriors. Gray Eagle told of the plan. The soldiers moved in quickly and they heard the yells of Indian cruelty. Then the scouts settled them down and showed them the arrows, the lack of money and gold, things that an Indian would not want. Then the white men dressed as Indians. The horses used in the raid had horseshoes. And the wagons started on fire by a lantern. All of these things pointed to white men dressed as Indians. Then they set off following the trial. When it turned north, the scouts reported that it was white bandits dressed as Indians. After the soldiers buried the dead, they set off after the bandits. The scout reported that they lost the trail at the river. They spent half a day searching both sides and as far in as the trees. When they couldn't find anything they were sure that they were heading straight to the nearest town and took off at full gallop. Two scouts stayed behind to search for a trail. They left the next morning to follow the others. Gray Eagle was happy with the outcome of the plan. He said that Fighting Hawk had once again deceived the white men into looking elsewhere, and slowing the push of the white man. Fighting Hawk shrugged, but he still felt that time was running out. He needed better ideas, if he was going to slow the death of the buffalo. Suddenly an idea struck him. He told Gray Eagle to have the scouts watching for buffalo hunters. Gray Eagle looked concerned but nodded his head. Fighting Hawk told him that when they spotted them to kill them, bury the bodies and hide the equipment Gray Eagle looked almost scared now, but Fighting Hawk assured him that he would explain it later. Fighting Hawk talked to the old men that couldn't hunt, but could still move around and do some work. He also talked to the widows of the young boys. When he had made an agreement they all met the following morning and left with the sun. They rode into the valley at the south. It was very narrow at both ends and one side was a straight drop from the top of the cliff face above. It was about five miles long and they rode to about two miles into it. There Fighting Hawk stopped the wagon. He explained that he wanted all of the trees in the middle cut down and the stumps pulled up and the trees to be used for a fence from one side of the valley to the other. They all looked at him like he was insane, but he smiled and pointed to the tools in the wagon. They shrugged and stared to work. It was not fast work, especially with old men and young boys. But they got started. Fighting Hawk provided the food and the water. The widows of the young boys provided the cooking and tanning of the hides. Small temporary lodges were set up, and they slept and worked there. In a surprisingly short time, the old men took to the work well as their soft bodies became hard once more. The horses provided the muscles for the difficult jobs and the trees started to disappear. Fighting Hawk checked the amount of food and said that he would return in a weeks' time to hunt and do as he promised to do. ------- Chapter 11: The Face of Change Fighting Hawk sat at the cook fire of Gray Eagle. He was concerned about the orders to kill the buffalo hunters. Fighting Hawk smiled and said that the army was going to hunt them down for a while. Gray Eagle stared at him in disbelief. Fighting Hawk explained that when they were ready he would lead the warriors out to the plains and the next wagon train would be ambushed by buffalo hunters that couldn't find any buffalo. They would kill the people of the wagon train with their buffalo guns from far away, then move in and take what they wanted and leave. The army would hunt the buffalo hunters, and they would keep the hunters too busy to shoot the buffalo. Fighting Hawk said that it was only a small thing, but it might give them some time. Gray Eagle saw the simple plan, and knew that it would be good to scare the hunters; he just hoped that the army would believe it. He relaxed again with the decision made and asked what Fighting Hawk was doing in the southern valley. Fighting Hawk said that he was building a fence, and when it was finished he would show Gray Eagle the whole plan. Gray Eagle smiled and shook his head. Sometimes he thought that Fighting Hawk would find a way to hide his own dead body, until after the funeral celebration. Big Cloud helped him with the hunting, along with the boys. They even helped with the hard parts of the clearing the trees. Fighting Hawk found that too much of his time was being taken up with the project, but by midsummer the fence stretched across the whole valley. With so much time left over, Fighting Hawk had them clear the rest of the trees that covered that end of the valley. Without the need of a fence, he had the logs split and the construction of a large barn was discussed. Fighting Hawk had a hard time getting the idea of the construction across to people who had no idea of what he wanted. Some of the boys had come from wagon trains, and they could understand. By explaining and drawing pictures, he could have the boys directing the work. Fighting Hawk couldn't believe how easily the older men accepted the direction of the boys, until he realized that his own young age, coupled with Big Cloud and the other boys doing the hunting that they had become accustomed to the situation. By the end of summer the northern end of the valley was fenced off with a large barn built. The required nails were gotten from the wagon train ambushed in the plains. The army was busy hunting down the buffalo hunters responsible, and the word had spread back to Kansas City of disease and bandits that awaited the settlers. The wagon trains moved to the Northern pass of the Oregon Trail and South to the Santa Fe Trail. The hunting of the summer supplied a large number of pelts that Fighting Hawk had no real need for. Big Cloud and the boys refused to accept them, as they said that they belonged to Fighting Hawk. It was for him that they hunted, so the pelts belonged to him. He suddenly had an idea and accepted them. He motioned for Big Cloud to follow and they went to visit with some of the older men. Some of the men had shown a talent for doing certain jobs. Those jobs were left to them while the others did things that they were good at. Now Fighting Hawk went to visit with some of them. He asked if they would like to learn how to do the jobs better. When they said that they would like that, he asked them to be ready to take a long ride the next morning. Fighting Hawk and Big Cloud prepared four horses to carry the skins. The next morning they all set out to travel to La Junta. It took them almost a week of hard travel to get there. Their journey was uneventful, and the old men traveled well. When they got to La Junta, the solders wouldn't let them into the fort. Fighting Hawk asked to talk to two of the scouts. This brought raised eyebrows, but the scouts were called. Fighting Hawk waited patiently until they came. When they arrived and saw Fighting Hawk, they quickly got him inside to talk with an officer of the fort. The officer treated Fighting Hawk like a child. Fighting Hawk was amused, but hid his feelings. The scouts had a hard time with the soldier. Fighting Hawk watched as they quietly tried to get him to understand that Fighting Hawk was a very important person. They explained that offending him could get a lot of people killed. The soldier still acted like an idiot, but at least he was respectful about it. The scouts translated Fighting Hawk's words. Even though they knew that he spoke some English, they didn't know how much, and were happy when he didn't seem to take offense at the officer's words. It made Fighting Hawk smile to himself. He explained that they had furs to trade and wanted to come into the fort to trade and look around. He realized that it was to his benefit now that the officer thought that he was nothing but the young boy that he looked like. Fighting Hawk watched as the officer wrote the pass for them to enter the fort, and stared amused as the officer put it in his hands and pointed to the guards at the gate. Fighting Hawk asked the scouts if he was as stupid as he acted, and saw them both turn red. As he turned to walk back to the guard, he heard the scouts talking quickly as they dragged the officer away with them. Fighting Hawk and Big Cloud led the older men into the fort. The guards took their weapons, at least everything but their knives. Fighting Hawk smiled at that, a Cheyenne with a knife was more dangerous than the other white men with muskets. Fighting Hawk explained that he wanted the older men to wander around and watch the smith, carpenter and other workmen. These men were craftsmen in their own right, and quickly understood the benefit of watching how others worked. He told them to see how the buildings were made and to see everything that they could learn while they were there. As they wandered off Fighting Hawk and Big Cloud moved to the trading post. It was very large and anywhere else Fighting Hawk knew that this would be more like the general stores of the big towns that he had seen. The old man running the post was a shrewd man. Fighting Hawk watched him closely while he and Big Cloud argued about the price that they wanted for the furs. After a few insults directed at the cheating white man Fighting Hawk was sure that he spoke Cheyenne. Fighting Hawk signaled to Big Cloud and the bickering stopped. Fighting Hawk stood before the store keeper. "What you give for furs." He knew that it was unnecessary to speak English, but he had to carry on with the fiction to get what he wanted. The shop keeper pretended that he wasn't interested, and said that they were poor quality and that he couldn't use them. Fighting Hawk smiled at him. Fighting Hawk then spoke smoothly in Cheyenne, "Do not pretend that you don't speak Cheyenne. These are good furs, and with the army hunting the buffalo hunters you have nothing. What you do have you have had to pay twice what you normally would. If you want us to take them to the trading post down south, we will go there and not bother you." Fighting Hawk waited as the man looked at him hard, and then he burst out laughing. The old man still eyed them sharply, but he spoke with good Cheyenne, "You are one of the smart ones. Yep, I need furs and they are good, but I have seen better. I still can't give you that much. I will still get other hunters bringing me their furs. I will offer you one blanket for each fur." This time it was Fighting Hawk that laughed, "If you want to rob us, use your gun, but don't insult us. We are not stupid, and I know what you will sell this fur for. We want four dollars for each fur." The shop keeper looked at them in surprise. "What would you do with dollars?" The shop keeper was now suspicious. He watched them closely. Fighting Hawk smiled again and said, "We will buy things here at the fort, but they don't have to be from you." The shop keeper looked like he had just swallowed his tobacco. He sputtered and choked before he said, "Well you just tell me what you want and I will get it cheaper than you can." He looked hard at Fighting Hawk waiting for him to call his bluff. Fighting Hawk smiled again and said, "Yes you can get it cheaper than we can, but if you buy it for us, it will still cost us more than if we bought it." This time the shop keeper turned an angry red color, and Fighting Hawk hoped that he hadn't gone too far. When the shop keeper reached under the counter, Fighting Hawk was on the counter with his knife at his throat before he even knew what was happening. He froze with his hand below the counter and suddenly two guards were standing close by with guns pointing at Fighting Hawk. Fighting Hawk ignored them, if they shot they would probably kill both of them, and the shop keeper knew it too. He waved them away, and slowly brought his hand back to the counter. Fighting Hawk eased the knife away from his throat. The shop keeper rubbed his neck where the sharp blade had rested. The shop keeper looked at them again and said, "You're fast too, but I wasn't getting a gun." This time the shop keeper reached down slowly and lifted up a book, and opened it. As he looked up at them and said, "what if I give you my word that I won't cheat you?" Fighting Hawk looked at him hard before he answered, "How good is your word to a Cheyenne?" The old man looked back at him again, and this time there was no smile on his face when he spoke, "My word is good to everybody, white man and Cheyenne alike. There may be others that cheat the Indians, but my word is good." Fighting Hawk could see something in his eye, and he heard the tone in his voice. He believed this man, and he nodded his head. "How much will you give for the furs?" The old man held up two fingers, and Fighting Hawk held up three. The old man laughed and said, "Ok two dollars and fifty cents a fur. And that is a good price." Fighting Hawk looked around the store quickly taking in the prices marked on things, and nodded his head. The old man smiled. Not a big smile like he had just gotten something for nothing, but more of a deal where everybody left happy. The old man waved his arm around the store and said that they could start picking out what they wanted. Fighting Hawk reminded him that they wanted things from others and the old man frowned, but shook his head. He called into the back room, and an old woman came out. They spoke for a few minutes and then he motioned for them to lead the way. Once outside they headed to the carpenter shop. As they walked in they saw Black Otter and the carpenter deeply involved in an argument of hand motions. All three looked at each other and approached. Black Otter stopped when Fighting Hawk approached and asked him to try and explain what he was trying to say. Fighting Hawk looked at the shop keeper and he nodded. He listened to Black Otter and translated what he said. The carpenter listened closely, and then told the shop keeper what he wanted to say in return. Black Otter then moved around and took the tool in hand and demonstrated what he had been trying to say. The carpenter watched closely. Once the ice had been broken between them, it seemed that they didn't need words any longer. After a time Fighting Hawk motioned for the shop keeper and Big Cloud to follow. It had become obvious that the two wood workers didn't even know that they left, and they would have to come back. So, they walked to the smith's forge. Here they found Running Deer watching closely every movement that the smith made. You could tell just by looking that he was nervous; he had sweat on his brow, but it wasn't from the heat. When two more Indians came in that was the last straw for him. He turned with hammer in hand, but the shop keeper quickly stepped up to settle things out. After he explained that the Indian was just watching because the also worked with metal, he looked at him curiously and visibly relaxed. Unlike the carpenter, there was no knowledge to exchange. Here Running Deer just watched and learned. He told Fighting Hawk that there were things that he still didn't understand, but that he had learned much. The shop keeper asked if there was anything that he wanted to ask the smith, and Running Deer thought about it. He asked three questions, and the shop keeper translated the questions. When the smith heard them he got a big smile on his face. He finally felt at ease, as he explained the answers to the shop keeper, and he to Running Deer. After the smith had answered the questions Running Deer had a big smile on his face and offered his hand to the smith. They shook hands and they were both smiling. Fighting Hawk asked Running Deer if there was anything that they needed to buy from the smith, and Running Deer had a faraway look in his eyes. He pointed to a few of the tools, but Fighting Hawk drew the line at the anvil. Running Deer seemed unhappy, but looked better when the shop keeper made a deal for the tools. Running Deer watched as each tool went onto a pile. When they were finished Running Dear wrapped the tools gently in an old cloth and cradled them like a fragile child. Before they walked out Fighting Hawk and the shop keeper looked at Running Deer and both of them shook their heads. When they got back to the carpenter shop they found the two men busily working away together like a pair of old friends. The shop keeper asked Black Otter what tools that he wanted to buy from the shop. Like Running Deer, he had a dream like look in his eyes. He started pointing to tools and the shop keeper explained to the carpenter what was going on. He smiled as he watched the selection. The carpenter placed every tool and clamp in a large pile. When Black Otter was finished, the carpenter went through the pile and separated them into three piles. One pile he dropped into an old cloth bag. The other he hunted here and there until he found another just like it, but older. Those went into the bag. He handed the bag to Black Otter. The last pile, he told the shop keeper the cost for the rest of the tools. Once the price was settled the rest went into another bag and Black Otter beamed proudly. They shook hands and Black Otter waved as they left the shop. Back at the trading post Fighting Hawk and Big Cloud waited for the shop keeper to subtract the costs spent. Fighting Hawk already knew the amount, and waited to see if the shop keeper would try to cheat them. He was good to his word and named the cost to the penny. Before they started to spend the rest, Black Otter said that they needed nails. The shop keeper looked curious, but showed them his selection. Black Otter motioned to the nails and said that he wanted them all. The shop keeper once again raised his eyebrows, but said nothing. He collected the nails and put them in kegs. Then Black Otter went and set quietly by the door to wait and gently caress the bags of tools, Fighting Hawk and Big Cloud moved through the trading post. They picked up little things, until Fighting Hawk thought about cloth. He found that he could buy a whole bolt of cloth for fifty cents. He bought ten bolts, of various colors, along with needles and thread. Big Cloud bought a set of leather working tools. The rest of the money was spent on grain and seeds. The shop keeper was past being surprised and just added things up. With the last few pennies they bought hard rock candy for the children of the village. When all was settled they carried the things out to tie it onto the horses. Fighting Hawk sent Black Otter to get Running Deer. They mounted their horses and went to the smith. When they got there Black Otter and Running Deer came out and got on their horses. They moved toward the gates. Before they reached the gates, a soldier came up to stop them. Fighting Hawk handed him the pass, he looked at it and motioned for Fighting Hawk to come with him. He motioned for the others to stay on their horses. Fighting Hawk frowned and told the others to wait. Fighting Hawk dismounted and went with the soldier. This soldier did not treat him like a boy or an idiot, but a dangerous enemy. Fighting Hawk was alert, and ready for any action. He was led to a building. He could read that this was the headquarters, and suspected that something had attracted the notice of the officers. Once inside he was shown to a door that read 'Commanding Officer' and he was instantly weary. As he entered he saw the older man sitting behind a desk. This man was a dangerous man; he had the same quick apprising eyes that Gray Eagle had. He was no longer intimidated by things like that, and he stood and looked the man in the eyes, trying to read what was there. He had seen two guards and one of the scouts that he knew, as well as the idiot officer. The Colonel was sitting at his desk. The idiot officer was sweating in a chair across from him. The guards were on each side of the room, close to the door, and the scout was resting against the wall beside the Colonel's desk. The scene almost looked staged. The idiot officer was the only one that looked out of place. Fighting Hawk got a firm grip on his emotions and shut down every one that he could. His face showed nothing. The Colonel looked in the face of the boy and revised his opinion. This was no boy; this was a dangerous man. He had seen that look before; it usually came from years of combat. Rumors said that this boy could grip the whole Cheyenne nation in his hand, and at his whim it would be war. He didn't know how true the rumors were, but his scouts assured him that they were true. Now that he had seen the boy himself he suspected that it was true. He slowly stood and took out his revolver, aimed it at the boy and pulled the hammer back. Fighting Hawk didn't flinch. He looked the Colonel in the eyes and waited, he even gave him an amused smile. When the Colonel saw Fighting Hawk smile at him, he lowered the pistol to the desk and sat back down. He looked at the idiot officer and said, "Lieutenant, I think that thirty days of patrol duty might sharpen your senses, if it doesn't you can look forward to another thirty after that. Now get out of my office." Fighting Hawk watched the idiot officer almost run from the office; he wouldn't meet his eyes as he went by. The Colonel motioned to the guards and they followed the lieutenant out the door, and it closed behind them. The colonel motioned to the chair and leaned back. He watch as Fighting Hawk moved gracefully to the chair and noticed that he sat comfortably in the chair. "I understand that you speak some English. I asked William to translate our words so that you could be comfortable." He waited until the scout had translated the words for him. He looked at the Colonel and answered, "I know your words." The Colonel smiled and nodded his head. "I am sorry that I aimed my pistol at you, but I could see that it wasn't the first time that you had faced death." Fighting Hawk found it easier to let the scout translate, as it gave him time to consider the words. Fighting Hawk slowly stood and let his vest fall to the floor. The scars on his body were easy to see; mostly knife wounds but there were a few bullet wounds. Fighting Hawk sat back down. The Colonel knew that this boy had probably seen more fighting than any of the men in his command, including himself. He had been just a boy himself during the War of 1812. Since then, the only action had been with the Indians, and this boy was no stranger to that. "What made you think that I wouldn't shoot?" Fighting Hawk laughed at that. He looked at the Colonel and said, "I am ready to die, today or tomorrow, it makes no difference to me. But it does to you. If you kill me, none of you will ever leave Cheyenne territory. Every warrior in the Cheyenne nation will descend on you and leave your head on a pole. Every man, woman and child would die, because of you. You don't want that, and I don't want that." The Colonel looked at him again. This boy knew the power he controlled, and he didn't have an inflated ego. He was smart and calculating, and the Colonel was afraid of him. If there was war this boy could quite possibly destroy them all. Fighting Hawk stood and put his vest back on. He looked the Colonel in the eye again, "Colonel, as long as you leave my people alone, we will not have war. There are bad people on both sides that cause trouble; they will die as they deserve to die. But when you bring your soldiers to do battle, you will start a war that neither of us wants. It will signal the end of the Cheyenne people, but in our death we will run the mountains red with your blood, and none will be spared. When this war starts, it will be the white man that starts it." Fighting Hawk waited until the scout had translated his words, and then he turned and walked to the door. The Colonel's last words sounded encouraging. "Fighting Hawk, As long as I command this fort there will be no war. You will be welcome here any time that you come here, and I will guarantee your safety. I can only answer for while I am here, and we will have peace as long as you do not start the war." Fighting Hawk nodded over his shoulder as he left the office. Once Fighting Hawk was back on his horse the small group headed toward the gate once more. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed the scout; William, the Colonel had called him, mount his horse and lead a small group of soldiers out of the gate. It was easy for Fighting Hawk to tell that he was being followed. It was a few hours later, at bend in the trail where they were hidden, Fighting Hawk and Big Cloud slipped from their horses. The other two continued on along the trail. When the group of soldiers came around the bend two arrows struck the ground at the same instant, from different directions. The scout barked a quick command and every soldier stayed still in the saddle with his hands on his reins. The scout raised his hands showing no weapons. Fighting Hawk dropped from the top of a large boulder at their side and stood before the scout. He bent and pulled the arrows from the ground and placed them in his quiver. He stood casually with his hand resting on his knife, as he looked at the scout. William cleared his throat. "The Colonel was serious when he said that he guaranteed your safety. We are to escort you as far as the river, before we turn back. We mean you no harm, but the Colonel doesn't want anything happening to you either." Fighting Hawk smiled and said, "Your following me is more of a danger to me, and yourselves than if we traveled alone. You should go back before anyone gets hurt." William looked pained as he nodded his head, "I agree with you, but we have to do as the Colonel orders, even if we don't agree with it." Fighting Hawk could tell that the scout meant his words, and that he was just as caught in this situation as it appeared that Fighting Hawk was. He nodded his head and gave a sharp whistle. Big Cloud suddenly appeared from behind the group and walked to join Fighting Hawk. The soldiers watched as the other two Cheyenne slowly walked their horses back along the trail to stop behind Fighting Hawk. Fighting Hawk and Big Cloud easily jumped onto their horses. He turned and told William that if they had any chance to stay alive through this trip, then they had better all ride together. William breathed a sigh of relief and nodded his agreement. The group set off once more to the South West. Traveling with the soldiers set everyone on edge; at least the soldiers and the older two Cheyenne. William and Big Cloud seemed just as relaxed as Fighting Hawk. William noticed that Fighting Hawk never seemed nervous or tense, and when he mentioned this to Big Cloud he laughed and said, "Fighting Hawk is not ever nervous or tense. Why should he be? He is ready to die at any moment, but I know that any that would try would not live to tell if they were successful. He is the greatest man in the Cheyenne Nation. All warriors bow to his words." He shrugged to say that it answered everything that he could ask about Fighting Hawk. William thought for a moment before he said, "I hear that Gray Eagle was the chief and the greatest warrior in the Cheyenne Nation. What does he think of Fighting Hawk?" Big Cloud stared hard at the scout before he answered. "Gray Eagle is very proud of Fighting Hawk, after all Fighting Hawk is his son. And I have seen Gray Eagle bow to the wishes of Fighting Hawk. He trusts him completely." The scout was so stunned that his horse stopped and he had to kick it to catch up. Big Cloud looked at him and smirked. William gasped, "I never knew. I didn't think that he was that important. Why does he ride around without twenty warriors with him?" Big Cloud laughed, until tears were on his face, before he could find the breath to answer him. "Fighting Hawk doesn't think that he is that important, and he doesn't need twenty warriors. He could do anything that twenty warriors could, but a lot quicker and easier." The scout looked at Big Cloud suspiciously and tried to determine if he was telling the truth. He then looked at Fighting Hawk again and tried to see what was inside the man. He was just a mystery to the scout. It was three days later that William found himself riding with Fighting Hawk, and he couldn't resist the chance to talk with him. "Big Cloud told me that you are the son of Gray Eagle. He was said to be the greatest warrior of all of the Cheyenne. He also says that you don't travel with a group of warriors because you could do the same things, faster and easier." Fighting Hawk looked briefly at Big Cloud. He then looked back at William and said, "I trained Big Cloud to hunt and to be a man. He thinks me better than I am." William laughed and shook his head. There was no surprise in his voice. "No, I believe him. I've heard the stories, and I've seen what you can do." Fighting Hawk laughed and said, "Nobody is as good as stories say." William laughed with Fighting Hawk and shook his head in agreement. The next day they reached the river, and William and the soldiers watched as the Cheyenne crossed the river, all but Fighting Hawk. He talked to William and wished him a good journey. The scout nodded before he said, "I suspect that you know what kind of trouble the wagon trains have had the last few years. I don't blame you; I would fight for this land myself. But you won't have to worry about that for a while, as the wagon trains are moving farther south to Denver City, then on down to the Santa Fe Trail. Most of them will be moving farther west from there. Let the people move through, they mean you no harm." Fighting Hawk looked at the scout. He showed no emotions, "I have seen the wagon trains. I have seen what happened to them. These mountains do not like the white man. It is good that they go south, and not stop in Cheyenne land." William smiled. "I have seen the Cheyenne village. There are too many white captives there, and not enough dead women and children in the wagon trains. The army is stupid, and I haven't told them what I think. Now I don't have to. The army has told the people that they cannot protect anyone trying to come through the mountains. If there are any others, leave nothing that the army can find. Burn and bury everything." William looked hard and there was no sign of treachery. Fighting Hawk looked at him suspiciously, "Why would you tell me to kill and bury white men?" William moved closer to Fighting Hawk and spoke softly, "Gold has been found. Word will spread, and they will come by the thousands. They will not be innocent settlers, but gold hungry killers. They will kill anything, and everything to get it. No one will be safe from them. The army will be too busy just trying to protect the settlers and to keep peace in the settlements to protect the Indians. You will have to protect yourselves, and don't leave anything for the army to ask questions about." William looked around to make sure that nobody had overheard him and said in a more conversational tone, "But it will still take some time, at least a couple of years before you start seeing things like that. Word won't spread from here until spring. It will take at least a year from then before they start to show up, probably longer. If they get here too close to winter they will freeze or starve. So a couple of years are what we are looking at." Fighting Hawk looked at William and asked, "Does the Colonel know that you have told me?" William looked away for a moment before he answered. "No. Don't misunderstand. The Colonel is a good man, but he doesn't understand what is going to happen. I have tried to tell him, but he won't listen. By the time that he does understand, it will be too late to do anything. If you don't protect yourselves, we will be in the middle of a war before he even knows that it is happening." Fighting Hawk nodded his understanding and his thanks. Fighting Hawk turned to leave, before he turned back again. "I will send you warriors. They will scout for you, and do as you tell them. If you need to send word to me, they will make sure that I get it." William thought for a minute and nodded his head. He raised his hands in the traditional Cheyenne way, and Fighting Hawk returned the parting as a sign of respect. ------- Chapter 12: The Time has Come When Fighting Hawk got back to the village the warriors all separated to their lodges. Fighting Hawk went to the lodge of Gray Eagle. As they sat around the cook fire Fighting Hawk told him of the news from the scout. Gray Eagle asked if he could be trusted, and Fighting Hawk thought for a long moment before he answered. "He has always been honest with me, and he could not benefit from telling me. It could be a trap, but our scouts would see them. I think that he has told me the truth. I don't think that he wants a war with the Cheyenne." Gray Eagle listened and nodded his head. He thought about the news a long time before he answered. "It is time to tell you of my plan." Fighting Hawk stood when Gray Eagle motioned for him to follow. They went into the reading Lodge. Fighting Hawk had noticed a large chest at the end of the lodge, but Gray Eagle had said that when the time was right he would explain everything. Gray Eagle stood in front of the chest and paced off three steps. He dropped to the ground and dug, using his knife. It took him only a few minutes to dig up a small skin. He pushed the dirt back into the whole. Then he unwrapped the skin to reveal a key. He fitted the key into the lock on the chest and turned the key. When he opened the chest Fighting Hawk was shocked to see that it was filled with valuables; gold coins, silver coins, paper money and even jewelry. It was truly a fortune, and Fighting Hawk frowned. This was against everything that Gray Eagle had always taught him, and he was confused. Gray Eagle made sure that he had seen what the chest held, before closing it and locking it again. He motioned to the skins on the ground, and they sat. When they were settled Gray Eagle started, "Long ago, even long before I met you, I had a plan. I didn't know how to make it work, but I knew that I needed the right boy to make it work. When I met you I prayed that you would be that boy. Since I have met you, you have been a constant surprise. Your brain is quick and you are smart. You have made me proud every day since I have taken you as my son. I knew that you would turn out to be the right man, but still I had to wait. Now I can wait no more." Little Mule made a polite noise before she entered. She carried drinks, and sat them on the ground in front of Fighting Hawk. When he nodded she understood that he wanted her to leave. She quickly clasped his hand, and left the lodge. Gray Eagle frowned and took his head in his hands. Fighting Hawk poured them each a drink and waited for Gray Eagle to continue. Gray Eagle sipped the drink and as he sat it down he said, "I had hoped that before now you would have read all of the books in here and we had sat down to make plans. But with the news, you need to know what I had hoped. The valuable things in that chest are for you. For many years we have been taking these things from the wagon trains, and even the soldier's money trains. I hope that we have taken enough. When you leave the Cheyenne village, it will be as a white man, once more. As an important white man, with valuables, you will be able to help the Cheyenne. I still don't know how, but I do know that you will have to have what is in that chest before they will listen to you." Fighting Hawk was stunned. The thought of living as a white man again was disgusting, but he saw the hopes of the Cheyenne in Gray Eagles eyes, and felt the weight on his shoulders. He spoke slowly, "I have never thought of living as a white man again. The thought disgusts me. But I see that it is what I need to do. I have already worked out a plan, and I have already started in it. The valley to the south that you were curious about; that is what we need. Already I have fenced the north end, and there we will keep cows and other animals. The south end we will grow corn and wheat." Fighting Hawk looked to see Gray Eagle staring at him. Gray Eagle shook his head and said, "No. We need to find a way to make the white man leave, not to become white men." It was Fighting Hawk's turn to stare. He couldn't believe his ears. Fighting Hawk spoke softly and with real concern, "Gray Eagle, I thought that you understood. The white man will never go away. If you give them what is in that chest, they will just come back again looking for more. You will never have enough. They are here and they will stay, and more will follow. You have two choices; kill them all and keep killing them until you are all dead, or learn to adapt to the situation. These books have taught me to learn the ways of your enemy; use what is good, and improve what is not. Anything else is death, or defeat." Gray Eagle spoke heatedly, "So, we are to become tame children to the white man. Let him pat us on the head as he comes and takes what he wants from us, and we smile and lick his hand? I would rather see all of the Cheyenne dead!" He looked hard and angry. Fighting Hawk shook his head. "No. We are not to become tame, or allow the white man to take anything from us. We will be strong and live the way of honor that you have taught me to live. But we have to live to do that. Is eating a cow so much worse than a buffalo? With the buffalo dying out, we have no choice but to find something else. It does not make the white man weak to eat cattle. And corn and wheat will allow us to grow strong without stealing from the white man. You don't want the white man to take from us, but you want to steal from him? Is this the way of honor that you talk about?" Gray Eagle lost some of his anger as he looked at the ground. Fighting Hawk knew that he was right, but that Gray Eagle had to work it out for himself. Fighting Hawk stood and said, "Think about my words, and my plan. If you wish me to abandon the plan, tell me what you want me to do, and how you want the Cheyenne people to live. You are the chief of the Cheyenne, and I will follow my chief to my death, or my life." Fighting Hawk walked from the lodge, and went to his own lodge. He had not gone more than a dozen steps before Little Mule was at his side. "Fighting Hawk, is there trouble with Gray Eagle? I heard him yelling all the way outside the lodge." Fighting Hawk looked at her concern. "No. Gray Eagle has seen the pictures in the fire. He wants the pictures to be real, but he has to see that it is still just a fire. Once he sees the truth, we will speak again." He saw her nod her head, but her look said that she didn't understand. He spoke softly in English to her. "He wants his dreams to be real, but he must see that they are dreams, and we must live in the world as it is." She looked at him curiously, but when she nodded her head this time he knew that she understood. He only hoped that she didn't understand too well. That night he slept alone in his blankets. The women could sense his mood, and Little Mule had told them about the words with Gray Eagle. He did not sleep well, and the women were too concerned about him to sleep well either. The sun rose to find a lodge of red eyed people moving slowly to the river for the morning bath. After their bath they felt better, but they still looked tired. Water Lilly came to sit at Fighting Hawk's cook fire. When she saw him she made the comment that Gray Eagle looked the same as he. He smiled and they laughed. When she asked if they had fought, he told her that they had not, but that it was something that Gray Eagle had to work out for himself. She looked curiously at him, but said that it had been a long time since she had seen him like this. As she stood to leave she said that it was good. He needed to have something to make him think sometimes. Fighting Hawk laughed as she walked away, with Little Eagle stumbling along beside her. Black Otter came to visit with Fighting Hawk shortly after Water Lilly left. He suspected that he was waiting, but was too polite to be where he could be seen. He sat easily when Fighting Hawk motioned him to the fire. Black Otter was excited as he spoke, "I have learned much from our trip to the white soldier's fort. I want to build another barn, and practice the things that I have learned." Fighting Hawk thought about this. He nodded as he said, "Build another barn close to the north mouth of the valley. Get the boys to help you move the trees, and tell their mothers to start cutting the tall grass in the valley. Ask Running Deer if there is something that he can do to make their job easier." Black Otter listened closely to all of the instructions and nodded at each. When Fighting Hawk was finished, he jumped to his feet eager to get to his tasks. Fighting Hawk watched the activity of the camp as Black Otter delivered the instructions to the lodges. He watched as less than an hour later two wagons rolled out of the village. He reminded himself to have them leave the wagons in the barn as they would attract attention in the village. Fighting Hawk went to see Big Cloud and the boys, and asked them to do a little hunting for him. The boys smiled as they grabbed their bows. Big Cloud shook his head and went along to make sure that they didn't bring back too much. Fighting Hawk went to the reading lodge to resume his studies. He now had good reason to work harder than ever before, and Little Mule was at his side the whole time. She refused to leave his side, unless he specifically ordered her to do it. He knew that she would only be waiting outside if he did, so he let her stay. When he found out that she could read he had her helping him; she would fetch a book here and look up a word in the dictionary, and put a book there. He found it nice to have someone to help him. It was three days before Gray Eagle came to sit at his cook fire. He was quiet for a long time, but when he spoke his voice was clear and strong. "You were right. We must learn the ways of the white man, or die. He is not weak or stupid, and we can learn some things from him." Gray Eagle got a big grin on his face as he said, "And I can think of one cow that I would truly love to eat." They both burst out laughing, but Fighting Hawk knew that Gray Eagle would only get to eat that cow over the dead body of Water Lilly. Before the first snows of winter both barns were full of hay. They had filled the barns quickly, before Fighting Hawk told them that they needed to tightly press the hay together and tie it up into bundles. The bundles were stacked together without any space being lost. After Fighting Hawk told Gray Eagle of the activities of the last month, he explained that they would use the hay to feed the few cows that they had and the horses all winter. Gray Eagle saw the benefits of some of the white man's ways. Fighting Hawk settled himself for a long winter of study. He found that with each book that he read that the next went quicker. He was easily reading three books each week, at least until he encountered the math books. Some of the ideas in the books defied common sense, and he had a hard time understanding them. He wished that there was someone that he could talk to about it. Without help he had to work each problem out on his own, but he found that once he understood it, it made learning the next easier. By the time that spring came he had finished all of the math and science books that they had, and he encountered a book of chemistry. He couldn't figure out anything that it said, no matter how hard he tried. He threw it across the lodge, but always picked it up again. He finally figured that there was another book that he needed to read first, and set it aside. It constantly nagged at him with each book that he finished. The beginning of Fighting Hawk's sixteenth year found him standing at the celebration fire. He and Big Cloud stood before the warriors with the four boys that were to be named as warriors. There were no challenges, until Swift Pony was named. There were voices that said that he was too young to be a warrior. Swift Pony quickly removed his vest, and took up his wooden knife. The warrior that stood before him smiled, but took an easy jab at him. He was surprised when Swift Pony made a quick cut and his knife went flying. The warriors hooted and laughed. That ended the play, and it became serious. It was short but violent. The warrior landed a few good blows, but Swift Pony ended it. He dove between his legs, and used his elbow at the back of his knees. When the warrior went down, Swift Pony had his hand in his hair and the wooden knife at his throat. A quick movement and the warrior had a rough scrape across his throat. Swift Pony stood proudly and waited. There were no other challenges, and the warrior even smiled and clasped his wrist. He even told Swift Pony that he was welcome to hunt with him anytime. Gray Eagle stood and silence slowly descended over the crowd. He looked around and made sure that he had everybody's full attention, "It is time to acknowledge what we all know and already accept. I name Fighting Hawk as War Chief of the Cheyenne. He has already shown his abilities and we all follow him against our enemies. It has been too long since our last War Chief, and I don't want the job any longer. My responsibilities as Chief keep me busy enough." Gray Eagle looked at the stunned look on Fighting Hawk's face and smiled. He knew that no matter how he felt about it, he would still do the job, and Gray Eagle knew that he would do a good job of protecting the Cheyenne people. He noticed the look that Fighting Hawk shot at him, but pretended that he didn't. Suddenly the people came alive and swarmed him, offering congratulations. Gray Eagle sat back down and waited. He knew that he would still have to answer for his decision, but he knew that Fighting Hawk would see the truth. It was after the congratulations died down that Fighting Hawk made his way to Gray Eagle and sat down beside him. He spoke quietly so that only Gray Eagle could hear him, "That was not a nice thing to do to me. I think that I have enough to worry about." Gray Eagle snorted, "Don't act like you aren't already the War Chief. You have been leading our battles since I named you. I have never seen anybody more suited to the job. But, if you don't want the job, tell me who I should name in your place?" Fighting Hawk growled and stalked off. Gray Eagle smiled as he watched him leave as the festival started in earnest. As the festival ran on there were a few women that approached Fighting Hawk and Big Cloud. They asked if they would teach their sons for the next festival. Fighting Hawk declined, but said that Big Cloud and the new warriors would be teaching the younger boys. There were smiles on many of the women's faces that night. As they sat at the fire, Gray Eagle noted that there weren't many widow's cook pots that needed filling any more. He smiled as he said that the young warriors were good for the village, as they were honorable young men. Fighting Hawk smiled his thanks. The next morning Fighting Hawk was waiting at Big Cloud's cook fire when he came out of his lodge. Big Cloud was no longer surprised at the event, but sat and waited for Fighting Hawk to speak. "There are hard times coming." Big Cloud didn't look up. He had heard enough things while he traveled with Fighting Hawk to know that something was happening. He waited for Fighting Hawk to say what he come to say. "I want you to send two warriors and one of the boys to the White fort. They are to go to the scout William; that escorted us to the river. They will work as scouts for the white man's army. They are to stay there and do what they are told to do. Tell the boy that he is to tell William, that he will come to me if needed. Tell all of them that they are not to talk of the village, or anyone here. Tell them that they are there to watch, listen and learn. Tell the boy that we will send another to take his place, before the snows fall." Fighting Hawk waited for the questions, but Big Cloud simply nodded his head and suggested a few warriors to send. Fighting Hawk smiled his approval. When Fighting Hawk returned to his lodge he found White Wolf waiting at his cook fire. He sat and waited until White wolf spoke, "Fighting Hawk I have come to offer a price for Bright Dove." Fighting Hawk was surprised, and he showed it on his face. He looked around to see that only Moon Flower was close by. He called to her, and asked her to go to Water Lilly and collect his butter and cheese, as it had been some time since she had given him any. Moon Flower looked at the two warriors, and then left quickly. Fighting Hawk looked at White Wolf closely, "Why do you want Bright Dove?" White Wolf looked at his feet before he answered. "That day that we came back from the training that you made us do, and she met you at the edge of the village. I knew then that I wanted her. I wanted a woman that would love me like that." He looked expectantly at Fighting Hawk." Fighting Hawk shook his head, and said, "She will not love you like that. I will not sell her to you, if that is what you want." Fighting Hawk stood up and signaled the end of the negotiations. Before he could walk away White Wolf said, "Can we speak of this again?" Fighting Hawk thought for a minute and answered, "Think about what you want, and what you would do to get it. If you want to speak of this again, I will listen." White Wolf left the cook fire with his head down, and lost in thought. Fighting Hawk watched him go. He saw Moon Flower waiting behind a lodge, once White Wolf was well away, Moon Flower stepped out and walked back to the lodge. Fighting Hawk looked at her and asked, "No butter or cheese?" Moon Flower smiled at him as she answered, "You know that Little Mule brings the butter and cheese with her when she returns with you from Gray Eagle's lodge." He looked at her again, "I guess that I should have sent you for fire wood." She didn't smile at the joke, but answered seriously, "I would still stand here with empty hands. Will you sell me?" Fighting Hawk seemed surprised at the question. He asked her why she would think that. She answered, "A warrior always sends a woman away when he speaks of selling her." Fighting Hawk nodded his understanding. He thought for a minute before he answered, "White Wolf was asking about buying a woman, but it was not you. I told him that I would not sell her, at least not for the reasons that he wants her." Moon Flower nodded her head in understanding. She seemed quiet as she said, "He didn't offer you enough." It was said as a statement of fact, and Fighting Hawk smiled as he answered, "We didn't discuss price. I didn't like his answers to my questions." Moon Flower was suddenly curios, and wanted to know what questions that he asked, but he just smiled and shook his head. Fighting Hawk spent any time that he was not asleep in the reading lodge. Big Cloud and the boys dropped off a deer, but Fighting Hawk never noticed. He was too absorbed in his learning. It became an obsession for him, and the books waiting to be read began to vanish at an alarming rate. Gray Eagle barred the reading lodge door and wouldn't let him in, after he had stayed there for four days. He told Fighting Hawk, "Go hunting and rest your mind. You have spent too much time in here, go out and remember what you are learning this for." Fighting Hawk complained, but found that the hunt calmed him even though he didn't realize that he had been tense. When Fighting Hawk returned to the lodge he found White Wolf waiting to speak with him. He suddenly remembered that Moon Flower had said that he had come many times while Fighting Hawk was in the reading lodge. He gave Moon Flower the Deer and motioned for White Wolf to follow him. They sat beside the river and Fighting Hawk said, "So you have been thinking?" White Wolf nodded his head and pressed on, "I have thought about what you have said. I will give you whatever that you want for Bright Dove; if I haven't got it I will try to get it." White Wolf smiled at his answer. Fighting Hawk shook his head and said, "Still you don't understand. Why do you want Bright Dove?" White Wolf's smile vanished, but he had thought of this question also. He didn't hesitate in his answer, "I want Bright Dove because she is all that I can think about. I think of her day and night. I have to have her!" White Wolf had a violent expression on his face, and as Fighting Hawk watched it slowly faded back into his normal features. Fighting Hawk spoke softly, "So you are telling me that you love Bright Dove?" He looked at White Wolf and waited. White Wolf thought for a minute and then nodded his head, but didn't meet Fighting Hawk gaze. Fighting Hawk spoke again, "If you love her you should be proud of that, not hide your face. If you are ashamed to love her, how can you care for her? You do intend of taking good care of her don't you?" Fighting Hawk looked expectantly at White Wolf. White Wolf looked at him again. He had a troubled look on his face. "I would care for her as I would any woman that I owned. You talk like you want me to take her for my squaw, not just to buy her. She is a captive. No warrior would ever take a captive as a squaw and still hold his head up." White Wolf looked defiantly at Fighting Hawk and waited for his words. "So, no warrior would do that. All of the warriors would laugh and look down on you, is that what you are saying?" White Wolf nodded his head, and seemed relieved that Fighting Hawk understood the problem. Fighting Hawk snorted and grimaced at him, "You are even more of a fool than I thought. Any real man doesn't give a shit about what the others think. You say that no warrior would ever marry a captive and still be respected. Gray Eagle married Water Lilly; a captive. If you do not respect him, I think that you should tell him to his face what you think." White Wolf stared at Fighting Hawk with an open mouth. He sputtered a few times before he finally got any words out, "I never knew. I have always respected Gray Eagle, and I would never say anything about him. Water Lilly was truly a captive?" He watched as Fighting Hawk nodded his head. Fighting Hawk stood and looked at him hard, "You are still young, and should be willing to learn. If you are ashamed of taking Bright Dove for a squaw, then don't ever speak of this again. If you are not willing to spend every day making her happy, and defending her, then you don't deserve her. As to what the other warriors will think, if you care so much about their words then go and ask for one of their sisters. But a real man doesn't care what others think because he knows that what he is doing is right, but if it makes you feel any better go and talk to the old warriors. Let them tell you about Gray Eagle, and his happiness. If you ever speak of this again, you know what I expect from you, so don't waste my time again." Fighting Hawk walked away feeling that all of the warriors needed lessons on how to be a man. Over the next few days Fighting Hawk heard that White Wolf had taken his advice and made the rounds of the older warriors. He also heard that most of the older warriors had laughed at him. White Wolf went on a hunting trip. Fighting Hawk heard that he had left saying that he would be gone for a long time. Fighting Hawk shook his head at the news and wondered if he would ever grow up. White Wolf was soon forgotten as Fighting Hawk continued his studies, once again ignoring the outside world. He had found books on blacksmithing and carpentry. After he thought about it, he sent Little Mule to the valley to see Black Otter, and Running Deer. They had moved their lodges to the valley, Running Deer had moved close to the shear mountain wall. He had said that he needed to get ore to work in the forge that he had setup in the mouth of a cave. Black Otter wanted to be close to the trees and his work. Little Mule was gone for almost a month as she read the books to the men. They listened to the words raptly and looked at all of the pictures. When Little Mule was finished she left the books with them. She told Fighting Hawk that they held them like sacred treasures. Fighting Hawk smiled at the thought. It was mid-summer when Swift Pony arrived unexpectedly. He went to see Fighting Hawk. He listened as Swift Pony told him the news that the first gold prospectors had been spotted. Fighting Hawk nodded his understanding of the news and sent him back to the fort. Swift Pony nodded and after visiting with his mother, he slipped quietly from the village. Fighting Hawk spoke to Gray Eagle, and scouts were sent out to keep watch. The instructions were clear; make sure that there were no soldiers, and then leave no trace of them once they were dead. Fighting Hawk was informed that their small herd of cattle had multiplied since early spring and calves were running in the valley. He smiled at the news. ------- Chapter 13 Fighting Hawk had left with Big Cloud to hunt in the forest. They were often hunting together, and as they trailed their quarry it was Big Cloud that surprised Fighting Hawk. "Fighting Hawk I have spoken to mother about this. And even though she is not as sure about it as I am, I believe that it is time that I take a woman. I have given this much thought and I think that I know who that I want to ask to marry me." Fighting Hawk showed his surprise, but realized that Big Cloud was older than he was when he had four women. He could understand why Pretty Storm had concerns. Big Cloud waited to see how Fighting Hawk would react to the news before he continued. When he only nodded his head, Big Cloud ventured forward with the rest of the story. "Who I would like to ask is Morning Star, and Midnight Star." At this Fighting Hawk stopped in his tracks to stare at Big Cloud. After the shock had worn off he said, "Why would you want to ask them?" Big Cloud motioned for them to sit, and with the hunt forgotten they sat, and Big Cloud surprised Fighting Hawk yet again. "I have watched them with you for years. I can't tell you how much I feel for them. They are never apart, and I have talked with them; at the river, and in the valley when they come down to help. They do not try to hide what they are to each other, and that is why I want to marry both. Mother wasn't happy with my choice, but I told her that I loved them, and if you could accept them, then what kind of man would I be if I couldn't? She had to admit that I had thought it out, and she gave me her blessing. She still wasn't happy, but she gave it. I know that you would never force them to go with me, but I would like you to talk with them for me." Fighting Hawk starred with an open mouth. It was obvious that Big Cloud had indeed thought things out and had prepared well for this talk. He thought about the women. He realized that he hadn't thought of them as girls in a long time. He considered the attention that Big Cloud would give them, and knew that if they were willing he would do what he could. He nodded his head and said that he would speak to the women when they returned from the hunt. Big Cloud looked around and said, "Well, we don't seem to be hunting anymore, so can we go back now?" Fighting Hawk laughed at his enthusiasm and stood to head back to the village. All the way back to the village Big Cloud wanted to run, and Fighting Hawk almost had to hold him back. At the lodge Fighting Hawk asked Moon Flower where the stars were, and she said that they were doing the washing at the river. He smiled and thanked her, and set off to the river. When he got there he found them busy. When they saw him they ran to him. It had been a long time since he had been to see them while they worked. Fighting Hawk sat down on the bank of the river and talked with them. He worked the conversation to Big Cloud and noticed that he saw them both blush. It was a good sign. When he pressed they admitted that they thought that he was the only man in the village, besides Fighting Hawk that they had any feelings for. This made Fighting Hawk smile. They realized that from his reaction that something was happening. They pressed him for the news, but he just said that their washing was taking too long. He watched as they finished quicker than they ever had. When the wash was finished and laid out to dry, they both sat at his side. He smiled and decided that the direct approach would be the best. "The reason that I was asking about Big Cloud was that I found out today that he is planning to get married. He asked me what I thought of the idea." Fighting Hawk watched their reaction, and saw that the news was not as happily received as he thought that it should have been. They both looked a little sad, but Morning Star said that they were happy for him, and hoped that he would be very happy. Fighting Hawk smiled at them and continued, "Well, I am sure that he will be happy, but I don't know how long it will take. He certainly picked a strange mate, and I don't know how the match will work out. They will really have to try hard to be happy." Both of them had concerned looks on their faces. It was Midnight Star that asked who he had chosen. Fighting Hawk held his smile as best as he could when he said, "Well actually he chose the both of you. He has asked me to speak with you and see if you would be willing to marry him." Both girls looked stunned for a second, and then it was Morning Star that screamed. Midnight Star was only a half of a breath behind her. Then they were both on him; hitting him for teasing them. Together they were a formidable opponent. But Fighting Hawk was too busy laughing to really defend himself. Then suddenly all of the play stopped and Fighting Hawk noticed that both of them looked close to tears. He had thought that it was tears of joy, but once again he found that women's tears still confused him. He asked what was wrong, and got the news that they couldn't marry Big Cloud. When he asked why, he was told that as his property they were not allowed to marry. He laughed again and told them that as his property that it was his decision, but that he would never force them onto anybody that they didn't love and want to be with. They looked at him and covered him with kisses. He asked if that meant that they were interested in marrying Big Cloud, and he received an enthusiastic reply. Fighting Hawk left them to finish their work and went to tell Big Cloud the news. He screamed and shouted, bringing people from their lodges. He had to apologize, but when he explained they were very understanding. Even Pretty Storm seemed happy. Fighting Hawk suggested that he come by the lodge that evening and speak with them himself. Fighting Hawk watched as Big Cloud spent the rest of the day with his head in the clouds. For the next few weeks the women were constantly giggling and laughing and working on marriage dresses. Custom demanded that Big Cloud buy the captives from Fighting Hawk before he could marry them. The Stars wanted a terribly high price so that everyone would know their worth, but Fighting Hawk said that something like that would take Big Cloud a long time to get, but if they were willing to wait, then he could demand the price. They quickly changed their mind. Both Fighting Hawk and Big Cloud were greatly relieved. Fighting Hawk said that it was best that nobody knew what was paid, and then they could think what they liked. The Stars loved the idea, the mystery was better, as they could make people think it was even larger than they could imagine. The men just smiled and shook their heads. When the day came, Fighting Hawk presented the Stars to Big Cloud and walked with them to Gray Eagle to perform the ceremony. It was unusual to marry more than one woman, but not impossible. Everyone that was curious gathered to watch the event. Fighting Hawk didn't think that there was a woman in the village that was not at the ceremony. Few warriors attended, but the ones that were there, were their friends. Once the ceremony was done Fighting Hawk slapped Big Cloud on the shoulder and wished him the best of luck, as he felt that Big Cloud would need it. It took time for things to settle down again, but life goes on, and in time things did return to something resembling normal. Fighting Hawk returned to his books, and Moon Flower adjusted the work without the Stars. The other women now got to spend more time with Fighting Hawk when he was in the lodge. It made everyone happy. When Fighting Hawk visited the valley he was shocked to see that there were not only barns, but store houses and corrals set up. When he asked Black Otter about it, he proudly showed him every feature and explained the reason. He also said that a number of barns and store houses were being built between the two existing ones. That way they could store more for when the herd of cattle grew larger. Fighting Hawk nodded his head and realized that others were thinking farther ahead than he was. He took Black Otter to the other end of the Valley and pointed out the trees there. He explained that the land there would be used for planting, and it needed to be cleared. Black Otter got a huge grin on his face as he saw the new supply of wood to work with. As they rode back Fighting Hawk noticed an overhang in the steep mountain wall, and had seen the benefit of it, that Running Deer had with his forge. He turned to take a look. When he got there he saw that it was very large and when he investigated he found a small cave entrance in the rear. He decided that it would be the perfect place to setup the house that he was being forced to have. He still didn't like the idea of returning to the white man's world, but since he had no choice, this was as good a place as any. He explained what he needed and how he wanted it to look and Black Otter got a big smile on his face when he heard that he would get to practice even more of the skills that he had learned. Fighting Hawk just shook his head as he slapped him on the shoulder, leaving him to his day-dreams. Fighting Hawk returned to the village and to his studies. Each time he entered the reading lodge, his only passion was for knowledge. To learn everything that he possibly could. He forgot the world outside the lodge, and saw only the lure of the books. He had even thought enough ahead to have Black Otter prepare a library in his new house. Since he didn't have to explain the value of a book to him, he immediately realized what he wanted. His only question was the number of books that he wanted to keep safe. Fighting Hawk explained that shelves were the easiest way to keep books, and once he showed him a diagram of how they should look Black Otter was dismissing the whole thing, as something already done. It was early fall when Fighting Hawk returned to his lodge one evening to find White Wolf sitting at his cook fire. Behind him were five horses, packed with pelts; everything from buffalo to beaver. Before Fighting Hawk sat at the fire he called Bright Dove to him. He ordered her to sit with them. She looked nervous as she sat close to Fighting Hawk. Fighting Hawk looked at White Wolf and asked, "Why are you here? Do you have something that you want to talk about?" White Wolf looked at Bright Dove, before looking at Fighting Hawk. It was against custom to have the woman present while they were discussing her fate. He knew that Fighting Hawk did many things for his own reasons, and since he wanted her present, he began. "I have been hunting a long time. I have gathered skins and horses to trade for Bright Dove. I love Bright Dove and I want to take her for my squaw." Fighting Hawk felt bright Dove's hands on his own arm. She gripped him tightly, and when he looked at her he could see the there was interest, but also fear. "Do you know that Bright Dove was tied to many Lodge posts? She was even tied to my post the night that I fought Little Buffalo. I have to tell you that she really doesn't like, or trust men. She does enjoy finding pleasure in a woman's arms. Does this change your mind about her?" Fighting Hawk watched White Wolf, but his expression only showed determination. "I have heard all of those things before. If she needs a woman to be happy I will get a captive for her, but I still want Bright Dove." He looked straight into Fighting Hawk's eyes, and didn't look the least concerned. Fighting Hawk smiled and said, "What would the other warriors say if you married a woman, and then got her a woman to keep her happy. Wouldn't they think that you weren't enough of a man to do the job yourself?" Fighting Hawk felt Bright Dove's hand grip almost painfully on his arm, he knew the reason. He was insulting White Wolf's manhood with such a question, and she was concerned. White Wolf smiled at them both. "I don't care what any of the warriors think! If they want to challenge my manhood, I will show them that I am a man. But their words mean nothing to me. I only want Bright Dove to be happy in my lodge." Fighting Hawk pressed his point, "You know that Bright Dove loves me. You have seen it yourself. If you did marry her, how could you live knowing that she loved another?" Fighting Hawk watched as White Wolf smiled. He didn't show what he was feeling, but his face said that he had answered this question many times in his mind, and now he was going to get the chance to say those words. "Do you think that I have never thought of that? Every woman loves her father, or brothers, or if she is a widow she still loves her husband. There is always another man in her life. As long as I can love her, and she will try to love me, what more can any man do?" White Wolf barked a hard laugh, as he waved his arms. "Hell, half the women in this village dream of Fighting Hawk, and I have heard of many men that have heard the women speak your name in their sleep. A few have even called out your name while the warrior was using them. At least she would have a reason to call your name, the others don't." Fighting Hawk nodded his head. He thought that White Wolf had finally come to terms with himself. He hoped that he was man enough to understand what he now must do. "You said that you would get Bright Dove a woman, to make sure that she was happy. I can understand that you want to make her happy. But I also want to make her happy. So I will tell you this; I will only sell you Bright Dove if she asks me to. Only her happiness is important, not yours or mine. If you can convince her and she asks me to sell her to you, then I will." Fighting Hawk stood and told White Wolf and Bright Dove to sit by the fire and talk. As he walked away he said, "White Wolf, a man admits that there are things that he does not know, but a real man asks to be taught how to do them. And before you ever bring a woman into your lodge, you should realize that she will know everything about you. You will have no secrets. If you can't live with these truths, then you should not marry, until you can." Fighting Hawk didn't look back as he walked away. He went into the lodge to find Moon Flower and Little Mule looking innocently into the fire. He knew that they had been at the lodge flap the whole time, and now they were trying to look innocent. He smiled at them as he moved to his blankets. He spoke softly to them, "Why don't you listen at the flap, just to make sure that she is safe." They moved in a blur, so fast that he had a hard time seeing it. Instantly they were both standing at the flap with their ears pressed to the openings. He smiled as he crawled into his blankets. The next morning Bright Dove was waiting for Fighting Hawk when he came back from his morning bath at the river. He settled down at the fire and waited for her to say what she was thinking. She was slow to start and he knew that she was nervous at bringing up the subject. "Fighting Hawk, why do you want to sell me? Have I done something wrong, or have I failed you in some way?" She looked at him expectantly. Fighting Hawk was surprised at the question, and shook his head. "No Bright Dove, you have done nothing wrong, and you have done everything that you could to please me. I care for you very much, and I don't want to sell you. But you have the right to be happy and to have a man of your own, not just one that you share with the other women of the lodge. He would be your husband, and as his wife you could never be sold. He would love and care for you. But if you don't want White Wolf as a husband then all you have to do is say no, and I will not sell you to him. It is your decision, not mine." He looked to make sure that she understood, and he saw her thinking about it. He waited until she said, "If I tell him no, then you will tell him to go away and leave me alone?" Fighting Hawk smiled and nodded his head. She smiled at him and kissed him before she was up and off to start her daily chores. Over the next few days Fighting Hawk found that White Wolf was visiting as much as Bright Dove would allow. He would walk with her to do her work, and sit and talk while she worked. In the evenings at the cook fire they would sit and talk and the other women would listen at the lodge flap. Fighting Hawk teased them about it, but they just smiled and said that they wanted to make sure that she was safe. He shook his head and crawled into his blankets. Many times he would hear what had been said, either through one of the women, or from Bright Dove herself. He had to admit that White Wolf was doing his best to win her over, and he wasn't giving up. It was a couple of weeks later that Fighting Hawk found White Wolf waiting for him as he came out of the lodge. He had his bow and explained that he would like to accompany Fighting Hawk on his hunt. Fighting Hawk sighed as he realized that he wouldn't get much hunting done on this hunt either. He decided that hunting with prospective suitors was not a good idea, but he got his bow and they headed into the forest. Fighting Hawk was surprised when White Wolf kept silent and they hunted. It was only after Fighting Hawk had tracked a deer, and killed it that White Wolf began telling Fighting Hawk of his problems. "Fighting Hawk, I have been talking to Bright Dove. She has told me of the things that women do together, and what you do with your women. As much as I want to please Bright Dove, and as much as I respect you, some of the things sound repulsive to me. I don't think that I could do them." He was silent and watched Fighting Hawk for his reaction. Fighting Hawk laughed loudly. He smiled at White Wolf and shook his head. "Do you think that the idea was all that exciting to me when I heard it? I had the same opinion as you, but I have to admit that once I started, it turned out to be very exciting. The act itself fuels your mind and body, as well as the smells and the taste. I can't tell you that you will like it, only that I like it. Everyone has to experience things for themselves. If you find that you don't, just get her a woman and let them do the things that you don't like, and continue from there. If you are willing to try something once, then you might surprise yourself sometimes." Fighting Hawk hefted the deer onto his shoulders and they headed back to the village. White Wolf was silent, lost in thought. It was just before the first snows that Bright Dove asked for Fighting Hawk to sell her to White Wolf. Fighting Hawk gave the news to White Wolf, and found that he was so excited that he couldn't sit still. Before Fighting Hawk left he said, "One last thing White Wolf, if you ever hurt her like Little Buffalo did, I will cut out your heart and nail it to my lodge post." White Wolf swallowed hard, but nodded his head that he understood. Once again the women were busy preparing for a wedding. Fighting Hawk talked to Big Cloud and had him send replacements for the warriors at the fort. The Stars were excited for Bright Dove and were constantly buzzing around her; giving advice and recommendations. Fighting Hawk was glad when he could spend his time in the reading lodge; he could forget about all of the fuss. It was the day of the first snow fall, and thick heavy clouds filled the sky. The couple walked to Gray Eagle's lodge leaving the first foot prints in the falling snow. The ceremony was short, but Fighting Hawk found it comforting that she would be happy. He knew that White Wolf would try his best. After the ceremony Fighting Hawk went back to the lodge with Moon Flower and Little Mule. They settled into his blankets to spend a quiet day in his arms. Little Mule's cries of passion rang through the village. Fighting Hawk wondered if it really did make others engage in similar activities. He found that he hoped that it did as he cuddled the two women left in his lodge. The winter was long and cold. The cattle spent much of it in the barns, as well as many of the horses. The hay put up for food went fast, but Fighting Hawk was sure that it would last. There were many storage barns in the valley now, and all of them were full at the first snow. During the winter months Fighting Hawk finished the last of the books that he had to read, and found the loss of books to be depressing. He wished that he had more. The only thing left were the ones that he had never figured out; the chemistry book, and the set of law books. They had seemed so boring that he had found it impossible to stay awake when he tried to read them. They were nothing more than each law of the territory, listed in the order that they had been enacted. Then the other books contained cases of law. Big Cloud and two of the boys had taken a new group of boys out for the winter hunt. Their training was going well. At least Big Cloud said that it was. He had only been out with them a few times, and wondered if he should have gone with them. Moon Flower and Little Mule frowned at his words. They were happy to have him with them this winter. After a month with nothing to do, he tried to read the chemistry book again. Once again he threw it across the lodge in frustration. Then he picked the first law book and decided to see how far he could get before he fell asleep again. He was surprised that this time he found it interesting. When he had mention his strange interest in the books to Gray Eagle, he only smiled and said that he would probably have found beaver tracks interesting, as bored as he was. Fighting Hawk looked surprised and then they laughed together. Little Eagle was now big enough to be causing his share of trouble. Gray Eagle mentioned that he had thought of tying a rope to him, just to keep up with him. Water Lilly scowled at the statement, and then she was off after him again. Fighting Hawk had to admit that she was looking more tired than he had ever seen her, but when he looked into her eyes he saw that there was love and pride, but no sign of weariness. He smiled at her and she beamed back. He suddenly grabbed his little brother and wrestled him to the ground, with Little Eagle screaming and laughing all the way. The rest of the winter passed quickly with Fighting Hawk having something to read, and learn. He found it interesting and made notes from the books. A plan came to him as he read, and with each item that he looked up he found himself smiling. By the time the snows started to melt he had found that being a lawyer was no more than knowing how to look up references in the books, and put together an argument. Even though he didn't find it difficult, he knew that he could never be a lawyer. The thought of doing that for the rest of his life was almost as bad as the thought of war. But like war, he knew that the knowledge might save them, if he knew how to use it. At the spring festival there were six more warriors that were to be named. Four of them had come from Big Clouds teachings, and the other two from proud fathers of the village. There were the usual challenges. One of the proud fathers had done a good job, and his son defeated his opponent with only minor injuries. The first two of Big Cloud's group were challenged. They fought with a savage intensity, and skill that Swift Pony had shown the year before. The other two weren't challenged, and all of the happy new warriors strutted around the ceremony fire. Fighting Hawk smiled at their actions. After the important things were done, Gray Eagle stood and waited until it was quiet. "I have to tell you that it is time for a change. You know that the buffalo are almost gone. Few herds roam the plains any more. And each year there is less. I have said that we have to prepare for the time that there will be none." Gray Eagle paused and looked around the fire. Many faces were looking at the ground in thought, or maybe they were just remembering the old days. Many were watching Gray Eagle, hoping to see what he had in mind. "I have said that all we could do is slow the white man. He can never be stopped, as there are just too many. More keep coming every year. And soon they will come in great numbers. The white man prizes the yellow iron from the mountain. They have found it here, and soon there will be thousands seeking it. We have to be ready for the time that they come." Gray Eagle looked around to see the solemn faces; many with looks of anger and hatred, but all waiting for his words. "I said that we had to wait, and that I had a plan. I have done everything that I could to make my plan work. I will now show you my plan." Gray Eagle turned to Fighting Hawk. He stood slowly. He had known that this time would come, but he had hoped that it would be a long time away. He knew that he was kidding himself, but he had still hoped. As Fighting Hawk moved to stand beside Gray Eagle every person fell silent. They didn't understand what Gray Eagle had meant, and they waited to see what he would say. Gray Eagle turned to Fighting Hawk and smiled as he moved to the side and sat at the fire to listen himself. Fighting Hawk stood before the Cheyenne village. He smiled to himself as he remembered the passage of a book, 'the time has come to speak of many things.' He looked at the Cheyenne people gathered at the festival fire. Many had come from some of the other villages. He cleared his throat and said, "I am the plan that Gray Eagle spoke of. He has taught me the Cheyenne ways and traditions. He has shown me the evil of the white man, and the ways of greed. He makes me proud to call him father." There were nods around the fire, and voices of agreement. Fighting Hawk waited until the voices died down before he continued. "His plan was actually a simple one. He needed a white man to fight for the Cheyenne people. But no white man would do that. So he needed a Cheyenne warrior to fight for the Cheyenne people, a warrior that was also a white man. I am that Cheyenne warrior that is also a white man." There were no voices or murmurs now, but there was stunned silence. Fighting Hawk looked into the eyes of his friends. They silently voiced their concern, he smiled at them. "The white man will come here and take whatever he wants, and the white man's law will let him. That can't be changed, but as a white man I can use the white man's law to help protect the Cheyenne people, and make sure that they live. I have already prepared the valley to the south to raise cattle for the Cheyenne, as well as growing crops." There were cries of outrage from the warriors. Gray Eagle stood and raised his hands. Slowly the warriors became silent. Gray Eagle spoke softly, and Fighting Hawk knew that it pained him to say the words that he had to speak. "My people, I said the same things that you have said. I swore that I would rather die than live like a white man, but I have had to think about this for a long time. The white man is not weak, or stupid. He will come here and take what he wants, and kill as he likes. This is not the actions of a weak people. They do not fear us, they call us savages. We do not want to be like them, but some things that they do are smart. The Indians were farmers long before the white man came to this land, and he learned from us. Now we must learn from them. Not how to kill and take from him, but to live and to grow. He uses cattle and corn to feed his people, and if we can't be like him then we will die." Gray Eagle met the eyes of the warriors. He knew that they would have to think about this before they would accept it. He sat quietly to let Fighting Hawk continue. Fighting Hawk cleared his throat again, but one of the warriors shouted, "We won't live like the white man, we will kill them all!" There were choruses of agreement from many of the young warriors. Fighting Hawk saw that the older warriors had listened and were thinking about what was said. Big Cloud and the boys that had been trained by him were also quiet. The boys waited for Big Cloud to make a move, and then they would follow him. But Big Cloud had already made his decision, if Fighting Hawk thought that it was necessary then he was willing to accept that. He knew him too well to think that he would make a decision like that easily. Fighting Hawk shouted into the night, "Have fighting the white man taught you nothing? They come a few hundred at a time and you think that is all that there is? What will you do when they send thousands of soldiers at a time? A hundred for each warrior, and then they will send more. They have enough white men to fill every valley with their dead bodies and still they will send more. How many do you think that you can kill? You with your arrows and knives, and them with their guns and cannons; if you wish to end the Cheyenne people, just kill each other and be done with it. Because in the end, it will make the same difference to them; they don't care about the soldiers that they send to die, they only care about themselves. Their chiefs are far away, and they send them here. They care less for them than you do for them." The warriors were quiet, but Fighting Hawk continued, "The soldiers will die by the thousands, and more will come. But what about the Cheyenne people; for each of you that dies there will be a widow, or a mother and maybe an orphan left behind to grieve for you. What will become of them? With all of the warriors dead, they will have to turn to somebody to live; the Utes, or the white man; just which would be worse? Or do you want to kill them before you go to war, and then there will be nothing to fight for. And in the end the white man will win. Because in the end the Cheyenne people will be dead, and he will take what he wants anyway." There was silence at the fire. The warriors were looking at their families, and in their eyes they could see the truth of the words. The women had a haunted expression as the thoughts of death filled their hearts, and the children clung to their mother's legs. When the last of them had sat Fighting Hawk continued. "I do not love the white man either, and the thought of living like one of them again is disgusting to me, but I will do as I have to do for the Cheyenne people that I love. The white man could kill us as easily as the buffalo, if we anger them. That is why we attacked the wagon trains as we did. When they didn't know it was us they didn't come to kill us. We must be brave and smart, not brave and stupid." Fighting Hawk watched the warriors looking at each other. They could see the truth of these words, and he could see that maybe a few were now willing to listen. Fighting Hawk didn't need to shout, and he didn't want to make the people any more scared than they already were. He spoke just loud enough for his voice to carry to all of the people. "I will go to the white man's town and buy the valley. The white man's law will stop others from trying to take it. Then the Cheyenne people will always have food. We will use the white man's law against him, and to help the Cheyenne. I am not saying to throw away your bow and live behind a plow. You didn't live only on buffalo meat, so you will not live only on cattle. I am saying that it will not kill the Cheyenne people to plant crops, or to raise cattle. We take the best of the white man, and the best of the Cheyenne, and it will make us stronger. Every day we change a little bit, stronger, faster, fatter, slower or just older, but we change. I am just asking you to make a change a little faster than you normally would. Think of the words that I have said." Fighting Hawk then turned to Gray Eagle. Gray Eagle stood and handed him a bundle. Fighting Hawk slowly removed his clothes. When he was naked before the Cheyenne people Gray Eagle stood behind him and used his knife. He cut the long hair of Fighting Hawk until he had the hair of a white man. There was no paint on Fighting Hawk's face. He opened the bundle and slowly put on the clothes of the white man. He slipped on the boots and stood up, and as he looked around he spoke. "To anyone not of the Cheyenne, Fighting Hawk is now dead. He has passed to the spirit world. To the Cheyenne people there is now Tom; the white man that has lived the life of a Cheyenne warrior. I will now have to live in the valley to the south, but I will still fight any challenges, of those that believe that I am anything less than I was." As he looked around the fire none would hold his gaze, except Big Cloud. He showed only the same smile that he had always shown for Fighting Hawk. Tom smiled back. Tom turned and left the festival fire. He noticed that Moon Flower and Little Mule were moving quickly behind him. He went to his lodge and the first thing that he did was to remove the boots. He found that they hurt his feet. Once the women were in the lodge they were in his arms. Both had tears on their faces. He tried to sooth their fears, but found that he had tears of his own. He already began to miss his life. ------- Chapter 14: A new Beginning The next day Tom moved into the house that Black Otter built. Tom was very impressed with his skill. It was bigger than he had imagined, and had many rooms. There were tables and chairs, and there was even a bed. Black Otter simply shrugged and said that Gray Eagle had told him that it needed to have all of the things that a white man would need, and Black Otter had seen many things while raiding wagon trains. He had tears in his eyes when he looked at Tom, "You were the best thing that has ever happened to the Cheyenne people. I am sorry that you had to die. I had hoped that one day you would take Gray Eagle's place and lead the Cheyenne people. But I will still enjoy your spirit when I come to visit with you." Tom held his arms as a Cheyenne warrior would. He smiled and thanked him for his words. In the library Tom found that all of the books were there on the shelves, and there was the chest. On the top of the chest was the key, but he wasn't concerned, nobody here was concerned with the contents of the chest. In the bedroom Tom found a wardrobe, and when he opened it he wasn't surprised to see clothes that he knew would fit, as well as the ones that he now wore. He walked through each room and looked at the life he was destined to lead. When he walked outside he examined the smoke house. It was only different from the smoke lodge in that it was made from wood. Inside he found two deer hanging, and a low fire smoking the meat. He smiled at the thoughtful gesture of Gray Eagle. He knew who had done this. He had seen the pain on the man's face when he had put on the clothes, and knew that he felt much worse than Tom did. When Tom entered the barn that was beside the house he found that his favorite horse was there, along with three others. Each of the others was a white man's horse. They had shoes on their feet and as you looked you could see their skittish nature. They calmed as he approached. He stroked their noses and fed them some hay. When he walked back outside the barn he was surprised to see two white men walking toward him, with their belt guns resting on their hips. He was instantly suspicious of them and wondered how they had come to be there. As they got closer he was shocked to see that they were Cheyenne warriors. Like himself they had been taken as a young boy, and had grown into manhood as a Cheyenne warrior. One had light brown hair and the other was as bright as the sun. It made him think of Bright Dove, and realized that they could be brother and sister. They spoke in English when they got closer. He nodded and greeted them. The dark haired man was named John, and the Blonde one was named Ben. As Tom looked at them he could tell that they were both a few years older than he was. Since it was rare that any boy was as old as Tom, it meant that they had been in the village for more than half of their life. He asked about it, and they confirmed it. He asked why they were there. They both frowned and said that Gray Eagle had insisted that they be with him. Cheyenne warriors could watch the valley without being seen, but outside the valley the two white warriors would always be at his side. He frowned at the idea, but they said that Gray Eagle had charged them with his life, and to fail meant death. They would always be at his side when he left the valley. Tom frowned and shook his head. He might not be able to fix it yet, but when he got back, he would have a long talk with Gray Eagle. He nodded at the belt guns at their sides and asked if they knew how to use them. Without a blink John's hand dropped to the Colt Patterson .36 pistol and it slipped into his hand. The pistol was out and pointing at Tom before he had a chance to blink. Tom had watched exchanges at the fort, and knew that the faster the gun is used, the longer that the person lived. He was sure that John was faster than any white man that he had ever seen. He nodded, and John dropped it back into the holster. Tom asked how they had become so good at using the pistols in so short of a time. John smiled and said that it was not so short, as Gray Eagle had them practicing with them for more than three years. Ben spoke for the first time when he said, "The first year was just learning to shoot, but the second we didn't even have shot, as all we learned was to get it out faster than anybody else. But the worst was the last year, then we had to draw and shoot, and hit what we were supposed to, and some of the things that Gray Eagle wanted us to hit got pretty small, and pretty far away." John still had a disgusted look on his face as he said that it was easy to kill with it, but that there was no honor. Tom nodded his head showing that he understood. Then he turned to leave and his escort followed. That afternoon they prepared to leave. They packed everything that they would need into saddle bags. When all was ready they lay down to sleep. It was well before sunrise when the three silently left the valley to the south. They rode hard for many weeks on their way to Kansas City. Tom said that it was the only place that they could apply for the land grant. John and Ben didn't have a clue what he was talking about, but just nodded their heads. All that was important to them was that they had to go to Kansas City. That was enough for them. Tom asked how that they still spoke such good English, as most of the boys lost the ability in the first couple of years. They just shrugged their shoulders and said that Gray Eagle had made them teach the young boys Cheyenne. He had even made them talk to each other every day. Tom nodded his head. He was sure that if he had not been found in the wagon train, or somebody like him, then these two would have had to do his job. Right now Tom wished that they had the job, but pushed the thought out of his mind. What he was doing was necessary and he had to accept it. ------- Kansas City was still a ways in the distance when the three got their first smell of the city. They all wrinkled their noses, and shivered. Tom made a comment and Ben agreed with him, but still they rode on. Tom had spent the last couple of days working on their story. He had worked it out on the first day and then started making his two new friends memorize it. Tom quizzed them all day on details, and had kept it up for days. They were getting short tempered when he reminded them that there were many people depending on them, and they couldn't make a mistake. So they settled in and worked hard to learn what they needed. As they rode into Kansas City he felt secure in the knowledge that they would be able to keep up the story if they had to tell it The busy town was disgusting to him, with the filth of the people. They smelled and there was garbage everywhere. He didn't understand how anybody could live like that. He could see that John and Ben had similar thoughts from the expressions on their faces. He called to them, "Keep your mind on what we are here to do." He saw that both of them were suddenly alert for any signs of danger. He smiled as he saw that it removed the looks on their faces. He didn't want to stand out, as it was important that they fit in. As they rode slowly through town he noticed the Sheriff's office and pulled up short in front of it. Sitting in a chair with his hat pulled down and his feet resting on a rail, was a deputy. He called to the man. He watched as he slowly pushed his hat back on his head and gave them all a quick once over. He saw that the deputy noticed that he wasn't wearing a gun, but John and Ben were. His gaze settled on Tom, "What you fellers want?" Tom knew that he had picked him out as the leader of the group too easily. He had made a mistake, but it couldn't be helped now. He smiled and asked where he could find the land office. The deputy looked him over once again and then dismissed him. He slipped his hat slowly back down over this eyes and jerked his thumb down the road. "Take the second left. It will be on the right about half way down." Tom smiled again and said his thanks as they moved off. When they had gone a few yards he spoke softly, "I'm sure that all of them aren't as bad as he is." John and Ben both gave a noncommittal grunt, but Tom had to agree with them. They found the land office just as they had been directed. As they dismounted the horses Tom pulled his saddle bag off and slipped it over his shoulder, as he had seen others do at the fort. He found that it felt natural there, as it left his hands free. As they entered the office Tom noticed that nobody paid any attention to them. He moved to the cage window and a tired little man looked up with an enquiring eye. Tom found himself wishing once again that he didn't have to be there, but he still put a smile on his face as he spoke, "Good morning. I need to speak to someone about buying some land." The little man still had a bored expression as he said, "Homesteads are a dollar an acre and grazing land is fifty cents an acre. Fill out a form and pencil in the acres that you want from the chart on the wall. The ones that are filled in are already taken." He pushed a form through the little window and turned back his ledger book. Tom took the form and looked it over, then went to the chart on the wall. He could see that this would take considerably longer than he had thought and more forms than this one. He moved back to the little window and the little man now looked irritated, "Now, what is it? If you can't read or write you will have to get somebody else to do it for you, we don't have the time." Tom's smiled slipped from his face as he lost his patience, "I can read and write just fine, thank you. But if you are too busy to do your job, then maybe they should get somebody that is better then you to do the job." Once again Tom smiled at the little man. He looked like the veins on his forehead were about to pop as he picked up the heavy blotter beside him. Before he could start to move it there were two guns sticking through the little window inches from his face. He paled as the blotter fell from his hand and dropped to the floor. Tom made a quick movement and the guns disappeared. Suddenly there was another man standing beside the little man. He had obviously heard and seen what had taken place, but pretended that he hadn't, "What seems to be the trouble here?" Tom smiled once again but decided that trying to explain anything would be a waste of time. So he ignored it as he moved back toward the chart on the wall. "I want to purchase a large block of land, and this one little form will not do the job. If you have something easier to fill out it would be appreciated, or possibly you have clerks to do that job?" Tom turned and looked at the man obviously in charge of the office and waited for him to get a handle on things. He noticed when he suddenly smiled and moved to talk with Tom at the wall chart. As they talked Tom knew that this man was a typical white man. He was greedy and was only out for what he could get for himself. Tom took the pencil that the little man had pushed through the cage with the form and marked the four corners of the area that he was interested in. The man sucked in his breath and whistled it out. "That is some little piece of land that you marked off there. It would cost you a lot of money. Why a homestead that size would..." Tom interrupted him, "Look mister, I think that you heard me telling the other man that I can read, and the sign over there clearly says that mountain areas are a fifteen cents an acre, and wooded mountain tracts are a twenty five cents and acre. We both know that this whole section is nothing but mountains and woods. There isn't even a trail up there." Tom watched as the man pursed his lips and sucked on his teeth. Tom knew that this could still be a problem. If he really wanted to, he could probably push for some of the land to be considered a homestead, and then he would have to pay more than he wanted to. He saw that with this man, there might be an easy way to fix the whole thing. "I'll tell you what I'll do. Why don't we just say that everything is wooded mountain, and I'll pay a twenty five cents an acre for the whole tract?" Tom watched as he looked at the chart, and he knew he was figuring how much that he would be able to keep for himself. He wasn't surprised when he saw the smile play at the corners of his mouth. He was also not surprised when he suddenly turned and ordered the clerk over to the chart and had him start figuring the parcels of land. Tom knew that there would be at least two different accounts of this sale. He stood and waited while they counted the acres across and down to get the total. Then there was the tedious task of dividing things up into the real count. He watched as they huddled over a different larger map with surveyor's markings. As Tom studied the chart again he quickly calculated the amount that he could spend. With the area marked it put the boundaries well north of the Cheyenne village, and well south of the valley; from the first high peak of the Rockies on the west and to the first mountain peak to the east. The calculated total stood to be about six thousand dollars. He smiled to himself as he looked at the next peak to the east and did another calculation. He guessed that it would come in at about ten thousand and five hundred. He looked at the two mountains that it would include and knew that he had some room to play and still come out ahead. He turned to the men with their heads bent over the map. "I'll tell you what I'll do." He watched as the older man looked quickly at him, hoping that he wasn't going to change his mind. "If you will extend everything to the east to cover the next valley, and mountain, I will pay an even ten thousand." He watched as the man quickly figured the total cost, and saw that he wasn't happy that he would be giving up too much profit. Tom figured that he needed a little help making up his mind, and pointed out that when he left the price that he would only be fifteen cents and acre, and that was only if they ever found anybody that would want it. He saw the older man sucking his teeth again before he nodded and they turned back to the map, and they unrolled it into a larger area. Tom smiled as he sat down in one of the chairs under the chart to wait. John and Ben stood quietly on different sides of the room, and never relaxed their guard as Tom slowly slipped his hat down over his eyes. He was far from asleep, or even relaxed, but he wanted to give the impression that he didn't have a care in the world. It was more than an hour later when the man made a rude noise to attempt to wake Tom, without having to get too close to him. He had seen that John and Ben were watching him suspiciously, and he knew what their job was. Tom made a show of stretching and yawning, but his eyes were sharp and clear. John's mouth twitched with the slightest smile as he noticed and Tom winked as he got slowly out of his chair. When he stretched, it wasn't all for show as his muscles had gotten a little stiff from sitting in the uncomfortable chair. He hadn't sat in a chair in a long time and found them uncomfortable. He was no lawyer, but he had read enough of the law books to easily understand the land deed. As he read each section and compared the description with the survey map. He was careful that each point was accurate. He was so preoccupied with watching for them to try and short him that he almost missed a couple of lines at the bottom, tacked easily in between the descriptions. He smiled to himself when he knew their game. He noticed that they were both smiling as he picked up the pen to sign, but their smiles fell when he started to mark a line through the sections that he didn't like. As he handed the deed back he smiled and said, "Well gentlemen, it looks like I will get a better nap than I thought." He pushed the deed back across the counter through the little window. Both of the men flipped through the pages until they came to the sections that Tom had marked through. As Tom was slowly easing himself back into the chair the older man said, "Now wait a minute, those are standard clauses in all of the deeds, you can't just scratch out anything that you don't like." As Tom slowly slipped his hat back down over his eyes and stretched his legs back out he said, "I bet that they are, but one of them says that the mountain area is for prospecting and if I don't file a claim for gold in three years then the land reverts back to you. The other says that the valleys are to be a homestead and if I don't clear the land that you can claim it back any time that you wish. Gentlemen, I am buying the land, not sharecropping it. If there is a problem, just let me now and I will head on up to the Montana territory and buy what I want there; and only for five cents an acre. They haven't found gold up there." Tom slid his hat back up and looked at the older man. He was sucking his teeth again, and Tom smiled at him and waited. The man threw the deed at the clerk and told him to rewrite it, and stomped off to his desk. Tom smiled again as he slipped his hat back down to wait. An hour later Tom was reading and checking again each description, and noticed that neither man was smiling now and both seemed to be anxious. He took his time checking each point. When he was satisfied that everything was in order he signed the deed and handed it back to be signed. The older man signed and then stamped the deed, and then he dropped hot wax on the bottom and placed a ribbon across the wax and pressed it with a seal. Then he rolled the deed up and tied it with the ribbon. Before he handed the deed over he cleared his throat and said, "And now I think that it is time that I see your money." Tom smiled as he opened the saddle bag and poured out the contents. A hundred fifty-dollar gold pieces jangled as they hit the counter. Both men's eyes almost popped from their heads, but Tom was glad to be rid of the weight. The two men quickly set about counting the large coins. When they were finished the men looked up and the older man said, "That is only half what you said." Tom smiled as he nodded and opened the other side of the saddle bag and poured another hundred coins onto the counter. Both men greedily began snatching and counting the coins. Tom waited patiently until they were finished before he asked for the deed. The man sucked his teeth again, but handed it over. As Tom moved toward the door the man asked, "What are you gonna do with all that land?" Tom turned to look at him and then smiled and left. When they were back out into the fresh air Tom breathed a deep breath and let it out in a rush. All of his muscles ached and he was tired. They mounted and rode back through the town. He knew that John and Ben wanted to be gone as quickly as he did, but he knew that there were other things that he needed to do. When he stopped in front of the hotel he noticed that both men frowned, but he just grinned and shook his head at them. As they tied their horses to the post in front Tom spoke quietly, "Watch my hands for a signal to use your guns." Neither man said a word, but Tom knew that they had heard him. Then they slowly moved to the hotel door. The desk clerk seemed surprised when Tom asked for a room with a single bed and a chair. The clerk looked at Tom and then the other two men. He got a knowing smile on his face and asked about the other two. Tom didn't smile when he quietly said, "They don't sleep; they just kill people." A small flick of Tom's right hand and John's gun was in the clerks face before he knew what had happened. The look of fear was evident. Another flick of Tom's right hand and John was standing quietly with both hands holding the buckle of his gun-belt; his pistol back in the holster. The clerk swallowed hard and nodded as he quickly turned to get a key. Tom noticed movement out of the corner of his eye, and saw that two men had quietly slipped out of the hotel lobby. He smiled as he hoped that a simple show of speed would keep the wolves at bay until they could get back out of town. As he turned to walk to the stairs he said over his shoulder, "Have somebody take our horses to the stable." John led the way to the room and Ben cautiously brought up the rear. When they were safely in the room Tom breathed a sigh of relief. John asked why he had made him use the gun. Tom explained that it was like any fight, once you show your knife, the weak ones run away. He explained that once the land man started to run his mouth, there would be a lot of people that would want to know how much money that they had, and it was easier to scare the weak ones away first. Then it would only leave the very bad, or the very stupid, but at least there weren't enough of them to be on every corner. John and Ben nodded to each other and set about helping Tom move the bed out of the center of the room so that they could spread their blankets. During the night Tom came instantly awake. A sound had caught his attention. It was a few seconds later that it happened again. Without saying a word Tom motioned to both sides of the room and knew that John and Ben waited there. Tom rose quietly and slipped beside the window. The sound came again before he saw a knife blade slide under the window. It twisted and the widow slowly started up. Tom waved to John and Ben, both holding their guns, as Tom slipped his knife from his boot. The man was just starting through the window when Tom's blade slid under his chin and straight up into his brain. A quick twist and a sharp pull and his lifeless body dropped to the street below. There was scrambling on the roof, and Tom knew that the body would be gone from the hotel in minutes. He didn't know where it would show up again, but he was sure that they wouldn't be involved. He quietly rinsed his knife in the basin and slipped it back into his boot as they all lay back down to get some sleep. They made their way down the stairs as the first rays of the sun crept through the open door. Tom looked to see that it was the same clerk working the counter, and a boy was sweeping the front porch. He could smell food cooking in the kitchen and moved in that direction. Tom picked a table and sat down, John sat where he could watch the front and Ben sat on the other side and kept an eye on the back. A fairly good looking woman came in and sat a pot of coffee and three cups on the table and looked expectantly at them. Tom smiled at her and said that eggs and ham would be fine. John and Ben just nodded. She turned back to the kitchen with a swish of her dress and Tom almost had to laugh. They were finishing their breakfast when the boy swept his way into the room. Tom noticed that he kept his head down and stayed strictly to his work. Tom called him over. He guessed that the boy was about twelve or thirteen and had just started to sprout as his pants were well above his ankles and he move gangly. He seemed shy as he stood before them, but wouldn't meet their eyes. Tom asked if he was the one that had taken their horses to the stable, and the boy suddenly looked up at them and shook his head. Tom smiled at him, and the boy smiled back. Tom asked him his name, and the boy quietly said, "My name is Danny, but everybody just calls me Bud." Tom grinned at him, and Bud grinned back. Tom stuck out his hand and said, "My name is Tom, Bud, and I'm glad to meet you." Bud grinned even wider as he shook hands. Tom asked if Bud had just taken the horses to the stable, or if he had taken care of them himself. Bud was proud as he said, "Nope I did it all by myself. Put the saddles in the stall and brushed down all three of them." Then Bud leaned down close and whispered, "I even gave them some oats, but old Will don't know about that." He had a conspiratorial grin as he said it, and Tom grinned back at him. He noticed that Both John and Ben were grinning too. He remembered the times as a boy that you did things like that, and knew that boys were boys the world over. Tom asked if he got paid for that, and Bud gaffed at him, "Paw don't pay me for things like that. Besides I like the horses, and then I don't have to sweep up and run errands for maw." Yep, Tom grinned as he thought that boys were all just alike. He slipped a silver dollar out of his pocket and pressed it into Bud's hand and said, "Well, your paw don't need to know about this either then." When Bud looked in his hand he gasped and his eyes got as big as the silver dollar that he held. Tom told him that he better get back to work before somebody noticed that he was loafing, and Bud quickly looked over his shoulder and pocketed the money. "Gee thanks, mister, oh I mean Tom. Thanks a lot." As he hustled back over to his sweeping Tom heard John say, "That was real nice of you Tom. I remember a little about being a boy like that, and I know that he will spend more time dreaming about the things that he will get with that dollar, than he will ever remember what he did get with it. Ben just nodded. Tom smiled and said that it was about time to get started. When they walked to the desk Tom placed the key on the desk and said, "I don't want anybody in our room, and put breakfast on the bill." The clerk nodded and Tom noticed the beads of sweat on his brow. He didn't look back as they walked through the door and turned to walk down to the livery stable. After they checked on the horses and they were all satisfied that everything was okay, Tom noticed an old man sitting on a hay bale and chewing a piece of straw. He was watching them closely. Tom moved over to him and said, "You must be Will. Bud says that you run this place." Will laughed and said that it was more the truth that Bud did, with as often as he was there, and they both laughed. John and Ben slipped quietly along the wall trying not to interfere with Tom, but to make sure that they could react if there was need. "Tell you what I need Will. I need a wagon and a team." Tom noticed the glint in Will's eyes and the smile that he had on his face as he started, "Well now his time of year wagons are hard to come by, and a good team could set you back plenty." Tom held up his hand and shook his head. "I tell you Will, there ain't much that I would love to do than to sit here and haggle a good price with you. Then I could call you a skunk and a bushwhacker and get cheated on everything, but to tell you the truth I am really in a hurry and I will have to ask if we can do that the next time?" Will looked crestfallen and just shook his head. He looked like a broken man when he said, "I will tell you; I have lived a long time and if I died here right now I don't think that I would really miss much, but a young feller like you still has a lot to see and do, and I can understand you being in a hurry. I have seen me some good men and some very bad ones. You don't seem like a bad man, even with the hired guns that you got there with ya. I have seen men with a bunch more years then you got that don't understand the first thang about buying a wagon, and I cheated every one of them. And, not a one thought that he didn't take advantage of me. But I have to admit, that you will be the first that got a fair deal by me. But the next time, you promised me a haggling and you won't get off so dang easy." Tom didn't know if he really was going to get a fair deal or not, but he suspected that he was. He smiled and held out his hand, and old Will grinned as he shook it. "I'll get her all ready to go for ya." Tom smiled as he looked to John and motioned for him to help old Will. John nodded and followed him out the back. Ben moved close to Tom and spoke softly in the Cheyenne tongue, "Storm Cloud and I are much older than you are, and we have never really gotten to know you. We have seen the things that you have done, but we always thought that it was really Gray Eagles hand that guided you. We didn't want this job and we didn't want to be white men again, but we would do what Gray Eagle asked of us. But, since we have been here, and seen the things that you have done, I understand why Gray Eagle trusts you so much. You are just like him, you care so much for others. I know that Storm Cloud feels as I do, and if our lives are needed to keep you safe, you will have them," Tom was looking at his feet while Ben was speaking, and when he looked into his eyes he knew that he had heard the truth. "I thank you for your trust in me, but I would rather die before I caused the death of another. Do as Gray Eagle has instructed you to do, but do not risk your life just for me. If it is meant that I should go to the spirit world, I would rather go alone then take any others with me." Ben grinned when he said, "Storm Cloud had said that you would say that, and that is why we were sure that you were so important." Tom smiled at him and shook his head and said, "Speaking as anything but a white man could get us all killed. Too many people depend on us and we must not make this type of mistake, even if we believe that no one can hear us. Think first at all times." Ben nodded his head that he understood, and Tom watched as John led the wagon back through the big barn with old Will following. The smith had a big smile on his face as his helpers loaded the wagon. The big Anvil had to be tied to the wagon over the axel, but the other things could be broken down and loaded easily. "You have the makings of a right fine smithy there. With that you can make almost anything else that you need. I don't know where you are going, but I wish you the best of luck young feller." Tom watched as the smith headed back into the shop clinking the gold coins together. The feed and grain store took a considerable time and Tom went through everything that they had to offer. He was mostly interested in seed, but examined everything. The wagon was almost half full when Tom watched them load the last onto the wagon. He told John to drive it down to the livery and that he and Ben would walk. John looked around, but climbed up into the box and started the team off up the street. ------- Chapter 15 As they were walking back Tom was talking to Ben when suddenly a small woman came charging out of a door and almost knocked them both down as she stormed up the street. Tom was so surprised that he didn't notice Ben's hand on his arm to steady him. He turned a curious gaze at the sign over the door to see where she had come from when suddenly there was a man in the doorway watching her stomp down the street. He had a sad expression on his face and made a made a big sigh. Tom's curiosity got the better of him and he asked, "What was wrong with her? She almost knocked me off my feet. The man seemed to see them for the first time and sadly shook his head as he replied, "I'm afraid that she is a little upset that she can't find a husband." Tom was confused, "You mean that a good looking woman like that can't find a husband in a town this big?" The man seemed surprised at his words, then he looked at the pair of them and understanding seemed to fill his face. "You aren't from Kansas City, are you?" As Tom and Ben shook their heads he smiled and continued, "I thought so. Well you see she is a saloon girl, and any man that would want her has probably already had her." Tom didn't have a clue what he was talking about. He didn't know what a saloon girl was or why she would be there looking for a husband. The confused look seemed to irritate the man, but Tom couldn't help it. He suddenly snapped at them, "You know two bits on her knees, four bits on her back and a dollar all night." Realization suddenly hit and Tom nodded. Now he understood what a saloon girl was. But he still had to ask, "But why would she think that you would marry her?" As looked at them again he suddenly laughed, "No, no, my boy you don't understand. We are a marriage office. You know mail order brides; arranged marriages for people in different places all by mail. But there was no way that we could find her a husband. Not a saloon girl with two kids. No man would want her." Tom understood now what was going on, but he wasn't sure that the man was right, but assumed that white men saw things differently than the Cheyenne. He thanked the man and they moved off. They met John at the hotel where he was standing out front waiting for them. He noticed that John breathed a sigh of relief when he saw them. It was a little late but they sat down to have lunch. The woman was a little short with them for not coming in during the lunch hour, but her husband quickly bundled her off to the kitchen with apologies all the way out. As Tom ate he seemed lost in thought, and John and Ben exchanged glances with each other and both of them shrugged their shoulders. After lunch they collected their key and went to their room. They spread their blankets on the floor and lay down to rest. Tom spent his time staring at the ceiling. It was about an hour later that Tom sat up. John and Ben were still sleeping. He took his knife from boot and silently began to sharpen it. He knew that he could use a pistol probably better than either of them, but he knew that he wasn't as fast. Gray Eagle had seen to that. He also knew that he didn't like guns of any type. He smiled as he realized that most Indians didn't like guns, and it was for the same reason. They loved life too much. A gun made it easy to kill, and anybody could do it. When you didn't have to live with seeing the eyes of the man that you killed, it made it too easy to kill. Killing was something that was done only because it had to be done, and they never wanted to forget that. Tom noticed when John woke and sat up. Tom nodded to Ben and continued to sharpen his knife. John took his knife out and they both waited for Ben. Tom knew that their constant vigil took more of a toll on them than his part of the job. It was only a short time later that Ben woke and looked at them. Tom slipped his knife into his boot and told Ben what he wanted him to do. Ben looked surprised but quietly rose and slipped from the room. John looked at Tom questioningly, but Tom was once again lost in thoughts of his own. John considered things and continued to sharpen his knife, and wait until Tom was ready. It was an hour later that the sun started to go down. Tom looked around and said that it was time to go. John slipped his own knife into his boot and rose to follow Tom. As they passed the clerk Tom pitched the key to him, as they walked to the door. The saloon was loud and had a number of drunks. Tom noticed that there were quite a few that weren't drunk and from what he could tell they weren't even drinking. He knew that they would be the ones that they needed to keep an eye on. He saw Ben at a table in the corner, close to the bar. As they slipped into the chairs Tom noticed the glass in front of Ben was empty. He frowned and noticed Ben's embarrassed flush. He couldn't blame him, but he wanted Ben's head clear and sharp. The bartender showed up with a bottle and two more glasses, without ordering anything he put the glasses in front of them and filled all three. He stood waiting and even though Tom knew what he was waiting for he asked about the saloon girl and described the one that he wanted. The bartender nodded and grunted as he turned to walk back behind the bar. Tom watched as he walked down to the end and stuck his head into a door, then returned to the bar and started wiping out glasses. Tom noticed her as soon as she entered the room. She wasn't wearing much and it made it easy to see what you were paying for. He watched as the bartender nodded toward them and she boldly walked over. He watched as she sized up the group with an experienced eye. When she sat down at the table she kept her eyes locked onto Toms' own. He smiled as he saw that she had nerve. She wasn't loud, but she kept her voice confined to the table. "If it's gonna be all three of ya, it will cost more." Tom could tell that she had character. He looked her over closely. She looked to be a few years older than he was, but he could tell that they had been some hard years. Already she had some lines around her eyes and a couple at the corners of her mouth that made her look older. Her hair was almost a white color, but he saw the dark roots and knew that she was trying to look younger. The coloring on her face and lips didn't do a thing to help either. Her eyes were a soft brown, but he thought that it was the softest thing on her. As he slowly looked lower he saw that her tits were small but firm; and her hips weren't as big as most white women. As he looked a little closer he noticed that she even looked skinny, as he could clearly see her ribs behind the thin film. He figured that she wasn't eating very well. He watched her closely as he spoke, "We were outside the marriage brokers when you stormed out of there today. I wanted to know if you were really serious about looking for a husband." He watched as she flinched then steeled herself. He noticed that her voice didn't change, and she kept her eyes on him, but he did see that they got a hard look to them. "Well, if you came here to laugh, or to try and get something for free, then you can just forget it. I have already been laughed at by everybody in this town, at one time or another; and I won't give you anything for free. I'm not that young or stupid." She looked expectantly as she waited from Tom to speak. He only said one word, "Why?" She looked at him hard and he did notice that her voice changed; only a little and if you weren't listening closely, then he doubted that anybody else would have noticed. "Why do any women want to get married? They want a husband to settle down and love one man, not a different man every night." She still held his gaze defiantly. Tom studied her again and said, "Why do you want to get married; The real reason? I am sure that you meant everything that you said, but that wasn't the real reason. Your life has been the same up until now. And now you want to get married; why?" Tom watched as she looked him up and down, then he watched as something inside her seemed to crumble and she hung her head. For the first time since he had seen her, she looked small and frail. Her voice was weak, but you could still easily hear her, "I might as well tell you. Everybody else will know soon enough. I'm pregnant. They won't let you do what I do with a big belly. Then I will have to take care of the baby. I haven't got enough money saved that I can just stop working for that long, so if I can't find a husband I'll starve." Tom couldn't believe that there was nobody that wouldn't help her, but he realized that he was thinking like a Cheyenne again, not a white man. He asked, "Isn't there some other work that you can do?" She looked up at him, and saw that he wasn't making fun of her. She barked a short laugh and said, "I work here because I can't do anything else. I can't read or write, I don't know figures, and I am a little small to shovel shit at the stable. If there was anything else that I could do I would already be doing it." Tom nodded and knew that he was developing a respect for her. She was a fighter, and she was fighting the only way that she knew how. He nodded to her showing that he understood. A movement out of the corner of his eye caught his attention. He ducked as he heard the explosions. The movement had not gone unnoticed by John and Ben. Two men fell before he even had his knife out of his boot. Tom watched a scramble as men all over the room were diving under tables. John and Ben were standing as they walked toward the other men holding guns. As soon as one of them raised it to fire there was another explosion. Tom slid the knife back into his boot and slipped back into the chair. He reached down to help the girl back into her chair. She looked up at him like he had lost his mind, but since he didn't seem to be afraid, she decided that he knew something that she didn't. She allowed him to help her up. Tom watched as the last man dropped his gun and raised his hands. John's gun arched and the man sagged to the floor as it made contact with his head. John and Ben looked over the room, trying to decide if there would be any more trouble. When they were satisfied they cautiously made their way back to the table, but neither one sat as they both leaned against the wall watching for trouble. As the men slowly got back into their chairs they made a point of keeping their hands in plain sight, Tom smiled as he thought that it was a good idea. He turned his attention back to the girl and realized that he didn't even know her name. She looked again at John and Ben, and then she looked at Tom again. "Does this happen to you a lot?" Tom considered her question then answered her, "I can't say that anything like this has ever happened. Why do you ask?" She frowned then said, "Well you go around with a couple of hired gunmen. Then the way that you dodged out of the way of those bullets, and then you didn't even seem to care what was going on before it was all over. Look mister, you are either the bravest man alive, or the dumbest. I just don't know which." Tom smiled at her words, but he knew that there was no way to tell her that he wasn't either. He just trusted John and Ben, and he knew what they could do. Suddenly two men rushed into the saloon carrying shotguns. Tom looked at them and quickly shook his head at John and Ben. They relaxed again against the wall. The sheriff and the lazy deputy were waving their shotguns at everybody as they tried to figure out what was going on. Once the sheriff realized that the gun play was over, he relaxed and moved over to talk to the bartender. The deputy kept waving his shotgun as he stood behind the sheriff. Tom shook his head at the actions of the deputy. The sheriff moved over to examine the bodies of the dead men and Tom noticed that the deputy was walking over to them. When he got to the table he motioned with his shotgun at John and Ben, "I'm gonna have to take them guns, and you boys will hav'ta come along with me." Tom shook his head again and John and Ben just continued to lean against the wall and ignore him. When he saw that they weren't going to hand the guns over he pointed the shotgun at John's chest and leaned down to take his pistol. Before he knew what had happened he found the barrel of John's gun in his mouth and gave a small squeak. Ben gently took the shotgun from his hand and leveled it at him. John dropped the pistol back into his holster. Tom saw that the sheriff had watched the exchange from across the room. His hand dropped to his boot as he watched the sheriff walk slowly over toward them. He kept his shotgun cradled in his arm and when he stopped beside the table, he nodded his head to Tom and touched the brim of his hat at the girl, "Evening son. Howdy miss Kelly. Seems there has been a little bit of a ruckus here tonight. I sure hate when things like this happen. And son, you can just put your hand back on the table, I could shoot ya before you could even get it out." There was a sudden flurry of movement and the knife was vibrating in a post about a foot from the sheriff's face." He looked from the knife to Tom's hands resting on the table and slowly said, "Or maybe not. But I think that you know that I don't mean any harm to ya, or you would have put that somewhere else." Tom did smile but slowly nodded once. The sheriff smiled and pulled the knife from the post and slid it across the table to Tom. Tom left it lying where it was. The sheriff turned to John and Ben. "Well, you boys seem to be real handy with them guns of yours, and there ain't no laws against that, but killing folks is another thing. I talked to Fred, the barkeep, and a few of the other boys that I trust to tell me the truth, and what they said was you boys weren't looking for no trouble and you didn't start none. They also said that you didn't kill no-body that didn't deserve it, and you even left one of those skunks alive that needed to be killed." The sheriff looked them both over carefully before he continued, "Now my deputy here is a little green, and he should have waited until I sent him over here, but he was just trying to do his duty. I sure would appreciate it if you would give him back his scatter gun, and let us get about our business." The sheriff didn't miss the quick glance that Ben gave Tom, or the small nod that followed. The deputy took his shotgun roughly, but Tom could tell that his hand was shaking. He watched them closely as they set about the task of removing the only man left alive. The undertaker was there before they managed to get the one man awake and the rest of the cleanup started to take place. Tom decided that there was no more threat, but knew that John and Ben would watch every movement. He turned his attention back to the matter at hand. "So your name is Kelly?" His sudden voice snapped her head back around to look at him as she noticed Tom pick up the knife and it disappeared back under the table. She guessed that it was back from wherever he had kept it. "Yea, Kelly." When Tom realized that she wasn't going to continue he added, "So why were you interested in being a mail order bride? Isn't there anybody in town that you could marry?" She blinked a couple of times, as she tried to understand what he had said. When her brain caught up with her she said, "Yea, there are a few men in town that I could marry, but I wouldn't. I wanted a man that didn't know what I am. One that I could love and that wouldn't treat me like the men in this town would. Not one woman that has ever married a man in this town, hasn't been right back in here before a year was out. I didn't want that. I wanted a real man and a real marriage, not just the same customer every night." Tom listened and nodded his head. Tom looked at her and asked, "Would you be interested in me as a husband?" Tom noticed the surprised look on her face changed to one of suspicion. "You are younger than me, but you are no kid." She looked at the dead men being carried out of the saloon, and turned back to Tom, "nope, not any kind of a kid. But, you are good looking, and anybody can see that you've got money. You could do better than me, even in this town. So, why me and what do you get out of it, besides this?" She motioned at her body on display. Tom looked at her. She deserved better than the secrets that he had, but he knew that he couldn't tell anybody the real reason that he wanted to marry her. "Well for starters, I want a woman that isn't interested in my money. And I want a real woman that will love me, not just for what I have or for what she might think that she could get. And I will tell you right now that you will never get anything, because I don't have anything. But I am willing to take care of you, and your baby, and if we can love each other, then I will give you that, too." He looked at her and waited for her to make her decision. Tom could see that she was thinking over the things that he had told her. She cleared her throat and said, "Before you make this offer there is something else that you should know. After I tell you, you might not be so interested." Her voice fell to a whisper and she looked at the table as she spoke. "I have two other kids; a boy ten, almost eleven, and a girl almost ten." She waited for his reaction as she held her breath. Tom considered this additional news. He remembered something about it from the man earlier. He cleared his throat and spoke softly to her, "I don't care if you have two more, or five more, it won't change the fact that I can care for them just as easily as I can the one that you are carrying." He watched her eyes snap up to him. She looked at him hard trying to see if he was telling the truth. Tom held her gazed and didn't try to look away. She nodded her head and said, "I believe you. If I heard that from anybody else I probably wouldn't, but from you, I do. If you still want me, I'll do everything that I can to make you a good wife." Tom nodded at her and said that he planned to leave town the next morning, and she looked suspiciously at him. He smiled at her and said that he wasn't interested in spending the night and she looked relieved, then she looked curious. He shook his head then asked, "Is it going to cost anything to get you out of here?" She bit her lip for a second before she answered, "I've got that much saved." He nodded and said that she should meet him at the hotel at first light. She looked at him and shook her head as she told him that the hotel wouldn't allow her in there. He smiled and said to meet him there and he would handle the hotel people. He didn't wait for an answer as he got up and moved toward the doors, but when he looked back he saw that she had already gotten up and was going into a door marked private. Tom wasn't surprised that things were quite that night. As they made their way down the hotel stairs Tom noticed Kelly peeking through the hotel window as Bud was sweeping the front porch. He was watching her curiously, but he kept to his task. As Tom reached the bottom step of the stairs Kelly quietly stepped through the front door. When the clerk saw her he started to say something, but Tom spoke first. "Kelly, you are late. Oh well, I hope that you are hungry." He motioned toward the dining room. As he walked by the clerk his look made it clear that he expected no trouble. The clerk pursed his lips, but quickly moved off toward the kitchen, and Tom smiled as he knew that he would have his hands full. As they settled themselves at the table they heard loud voices from the kitchen before the woman came stomping out and slammed a pot of coffee, and some cups on the table. Tom noticed that she wouldn't even look at Kelly, but he saw that Kelly wasn't trying to look at her either. He shook his head and decided it was easier to order for them all. "Bring a big plate of eggs and another of ham. We will help ourselves." She grunted and stomped off toward the kitchen. They didn't speak as they waited for the food and Tom thought that Kelly was going to bolt at any minute with as nervous as she looked. He was happy when the food arrived, but she almost threw the platter of ham. Tom glanced up as she turned to leave and saw a self-satisfied smile on her face, and quickly motioned for everybody to sit still. When she had gone back into the kitchen he softly ran his fingers over the eggs and down through them. He felt the hard grit and smiled to himself. He wiped his fingers and stood up to go into the lobby. When he came back the clerk was being led by the scruff of the neck. Tom slammed him down in his chair and dished out a good amount of egg, from deep in the dish. Then he told the clerk to eat. The clerk looked nervously around, but lifted the fork and put some into his mouth. As he began to chew there was a popping sound and he quickly spit out the eggs. Tom noticed a little bit of blood and wondered what was in there, but didn't really care. Tom pulled the clerk to his feet and shoved the eggs in his hands. He then motioned to the ham and Ben picked it up. Tom whispered in the clerk's ear where he was the only one that could hear him, "You can take this back now, and if anything like it happens again, I will assume that you are trying to kill us. Then I will take you in there and make you watch while I kill her slowly, then I will make you wish I did kill you." Tom was sure that the little man was about to piss on himself and pushed him toward the kitchen. He told Ben loud enough that everybody could hear, "Why don't you carry that in there for him, and then stay and make sure that the same thing doesn't happen again." Ben smiled as he slipped through the door. Tom calmly sat back down and smiled at John. John smiled back and he shook his head at Tom, but Tom just grinned. Kelly was stunned at the whole scene. Tom noticed Bud standing inside the door when the sounds started to come from the kitchen. Bud moved a little closer to Tom and whispered, "Golly, what's going on in there?" Tom looked in him the eye and said, "Well, I guess that you are just about as close as you are ever going to get, to being an orphan." Bud's eyes got big and he beat a hasty path to the kitchen. Once things settled down in the kitchen Tom noticed Bud slip out the door and quietly make his way back to the lobby to continue his sweeping. It was only a short time later that the woman came carrying another platter of ham and eggs. This time she placed it gently on the table and smiled at them. Tom noticed the black eye and the cut lip and made sure that she saw that he noticed. Her smile faltered, but she was as sweet as pie as she turned to leave. Tom looked to see the little man standing by the kitchen door with his hands on his hips. He didn't look a lot better off, but he had the look of a man that was once again in charge of his house. Tom nodded his approval. As Ben silently slipped back into his chair Kelly said, "Did you see what he did to her?" Tom stopped putting food on his plate and looked at her. Tom didn't blink as he answered her, "I would have beat her until she couldn't walk then tied her naked body in front of the hotel to let everybody know what kind of a woman that she was. And if that bothers you, you had better be sure that you want to marry me. I run my house, not a woman, and if you ever insult my guests I will do exactly what I just described." Kelly looked at him hard to see if he was joking, but in her heart she knew that he wasn't. She nodded her head to mean that she understood him. Tom finished getting his food and handed the fork to John. After eating Tom made a motion to the door and said, "Well, if we are going to be married we had better get it done; I need to be on the road." Kelly nodded her head and got to her feet. Tom stopped at the desk and told the little man that they needed their bill. The man quickly scratched on a pad with a pencil. It was quickly thrust into Tom's hand. Tom looked it over carefully. All charges were itemized, and he couldn't find anything wrong, but the exception that breakfast wasn't on the bill. He didn't argue the point. The total was eight dollars, and Tom dropped a ten dollar gold piece on the desk. He then leaned close to the little man and whispered, "If you can't control her, you should get rid of her. A spirited woman is like a spirited horse; they are good at running, but you have to keep a firm hand on the reins." As he left he noticed the thoughtful look on the little man's face. Kelly led the way to the parson's house. She didn't bother with the front door, but led them around to the back. She stood and knocked on the door and Tom wasn't surprised when a woman answered the door. He saw the sour look on her face when she saw Kelly and started to close the door. Tom watched as Kelly's back stiffened and she quickly pushed her way inside and talked very loudly as she did it. It was obviously what she had intended to happen, because it brought the parson to investigate the noise. Tom saw that once the parson was there his wife's expression didn't get any better, but she held her tongue. Kelly quickly explained the purpose of the visit, but the parson said that he wasn't sure that he could marry them that fast, until Kelly explained that once the ceremony was over that they would be leaving town. Tom watched in disbelief as the parson's wife had his coat on him and his bible in his hands before he even knew what had happened. She also had a big smile on her face now. Tom thought that the sour look suited her better, but in just a few moments the whole thing was done. He even managed to surprise Kelly with a ring. It wasn't anything fancy, just a simple gold band, but she thought it was a miracle. Tom knew that it wasn't anything of the sort, he had quite a few of those and guessing which one would fit her wasn't that hard. He also wasn't surprised that as soon as the ceremony was over the parson's wife had her hand out for two dollars, and had them outside before the parson could sit back down to his breakfast, but Kelly didn't seem to care anymore. Tom found that from the time that they left the Parson, Kelly began to act strange. She had hooked her arm in his and would let go, and she hadn't quit smiling the whole time. She had even started to giggle like a little girl from time to time, and Tom thought that the strain might have been too much for her. He hoped that she would be able to get a hold on herself, as she was starting to get on his nerves. After they settled with old Will they got the wagon and their horses ready to go. Kelly had sat in the wagon quietly the whole time and Tom was glad. Once they pulled out of the livery Kelly pointed the way. He was surprised when they stopped at one of the shacks standing behind the saloon. There were places that he could see through the walls and wondered how she managed to live in it in the winter months. He watched as she quickly put her things and the children in the back of the wagon. They owned very little, but he had to admit that even he owned more than this, and it was for three people. He couldn't believe it. ------- Chapter 16: Homeward As they left Kansas City behind Tom told Ben to find a place and stay there until the next morning, unless he needed to follow anybody that might come after them. He nodded and moved away. Tom then called John over and told him to ride at least an hour ahead and to watch for anything that might be a danger. He seemed reluctant, but Tom insisted that it would be much safer for him in the end, and John had to agree. He moved off at a gallop. It was late in the day when Tom caught up to John. He was squatting beside a fire. Tom pulled the wagon to a stop a short ways from it and began the task of unhitching the team. Once free, the horses happily followed him to an area that John had his own horse grazing at. He tied them to the securing line and let them graze. When he got back to the wagon he told Kelly to spread blankets under the wagon for her and the children. John had five rabbits roasting over a fire and watched as the activity settled into a form of organization. As Tom sat at the fire he said that the rabbits looked good. John spoke without looking up, "There are more rabbits out tonight." Tom nodded that he understood, as he began pulling pieces of rabbit off of the spit to give to the children. During the day they had kept pretty quiet, mostly talking between themselves. A couple of times Kelly had spoken sharply to them and they instantly settled down from their overactive play. Tom had not even noticed them. Tom and Kelly had not spoken the entire day. She had seen him send the men off and was worried that there might be trouble around and she didn't want to distract him if there was any. After they had eaten and the night grew darker, Tom sent Kelly and the children to bed. She looked at him funny, but he just said, "Kelly, once you go to bed; stay there. Don't get back up for any reason, unless I tell you to." She had big eyes, but she nodded her head that she understood. After they had visited the bushes Tom watched them crawl under the wagon and cover up. He heard them whispering among themselves and settled down by the fire as John was doing. It was a couple of hours later that the fire was only a few dying embers and Tom could quietly roll away without being seen. He knew that John had left a short time before and silently made his way to the gully beside the camp. There John watched as he slipped down and he motioned the location of the five men surrounding the camp. Tom slipped his knife from his boot and motioned one direction and left John to go in the other. It took about five minutes before he found the first man. He had moved from the position that John had indicated. Tom figured that he had wanted to get a better look at the camp. He seemed nervous and jumpy as he kept bobbing around a bush to get a better look. Tom grabbed him by the mouth, and thrust his knife into his side. He knew that he had hit the heart, but moved it in a tight circle, just to be sure. The man sagged against him and slipped quietly to the ground. Tom wiped his knife on the dead man's clothes before the moved further around to find the next man. He found the next man lying between two bushes with a rifle. He couldn't see a way to get to the man without making some noise, and with his hand on the trigger Tom knew that he would get a shot off before he died. He silently cursed his luck as he thought about a number of different things. Suddenly an idea came to him. He moved silently back in the direction that he had come. He didn't have to go far before he found what he was looking for. The ant hill wasn't big, but big enough to identify what it was. Tom thrust his hand as deeply into the hill as he could and made a fist. He quickly made his way back and sprinkled the angry ants on the man's back and stepped back to wait for the little insects to find some exposed skin. As he waited he silently killed the ones still attached to his own hand and wrist. He knew that tomorrow it would hurt like hell. Very soon the man felt the little bites on his neck and reached back to kill whatever it was. When he felt the ants he swore and started to crawl back out from the bushes. When Tom saw that he no longer had his hand on the trigger he swiftly stepped forward and stepped on the back of his head; burying his face in the soft ground. Tom kept killing the ants on his arm as he waited for the man to die. When Tom saw the third man, he saw that he was just starting to crawl toward the camp. He started to move quickly toward him as he saw him suddenly slump to the ground. Tom was instantly alert, before he saw Ben rise up from the ground in front of him, wiping off his knife. Tom smiled as he stepped toward Ben. Ben saw the movement and turned, then relaxed. Tom saw John first and pointed to him and Ben looked. All three smiled to each other. Tom pointed off toward the two dead men and john did the same thing. They stood and moved toward the camp. The small fire was burning brightly as Ben spoke, "It wasn't two hours after you left that they rode out of town. I followed them and when they spotted the wagon they rode wide around it and rode hard. They got here as John was setting up camp. About a half hour later, you showed up and I settled in to wait for them to make their move." Tom nodded as he turned to look at Kelly and saw her eyes looking back at him. He watched her snuggle back down in her blankets and close her eyes. Tom looked back to John and Ben and said, "You two get some sleep and I will check things out. I will wake you in a few hours to take my place." John and Ben looked at each other, and then nodded to him. Tom ran swiftly across the night keeping an eye out for any movement, or sound. He circled the camp in a wide arc and then moved farther out. Then he setup a cross pattern that would intersect anything that he might have missed. He might stumble into someone that could be hidden, but he expected that they would be holding back if they had seen the first ambush group. He didn't see anything as he moved silently through the night. Tom guessed that it was about four hours later that he woke John. John woke instantly, ready for anything. Tom drew a pattern in the dirt showing where he had been and john watched the pattern grow. When he was finished John looked at him and shook his head. "You had better get some rest. I'm surprised that you can still stand." Tom sank wearily to his blanket and said, "I can't, but I had to be sure." John just nodded that he understood. As John moved off to start his own watch Tom spoke quietly, "Collect the guns and all of the ammunition. If their horses are worth keeping, put them with ours, and turn the others loose." John grunted and moved off into the night, but Tom was already asleep. As the first rays of the sun struck Tom his eyes opened. He stretched and sat up. He noticed that Kelly was coming back from visiting the bushes and watched as she sat down beside the fire. "I see that there was a little excitement last night." Tom shrugged his shoulders but didn't say anything. She smiled and moved off to start breakfast. John left first and Ben stayed behind after the wagon left. Tom thought that it would be a good idea to follow the same pattern until they were at least a week from Kansas City. John and Ben just shrugged and left it to Tom to make the decisions. It was still early in the afternoon when Tom came up on John camped beside a small river. They had camped at that same river on the way into Kansas City and even though it was early Tom left that it was a good idea. As the wagon moved through the river Tom noticed that it stirred up almost no mud. He was glad to see that the river had a very hard bottom, and figured that it was probably rocks. He pulled the wagon to a stop and after he was out of the wagon he offered to help Kelly. She smiled as he took her in his arms. She wasn't smiling when he walked over and tossed her into the river, clothes and all. She sputtered and screamed at him. He just looked at her and told her to get her clothes off. She looked at him again and when she didn't get started he moved to her and ripped her dress. She realized that if she didn't strip he would destroy her clothes. She screeched and jumped back deeper into the water as she started to unbutton her clothes. Tom walked back to the wagon and talked to the kids, "You can get in the water, or I will throw you in just like your mother. What will it be?" The boy looked at him in defiance, but the girl was over the side and off toward the water at a run. Tom grabbed the boy and carried him kicking and screaming until he reached the water, then he threw him as far out as he could. Since it never went over the axle of the wagon he knew that it couldn't have been more than two feet deep, but the boy acted like he was going to drown. Tom frowned as he told the boy to stand up. The boy sputtered and coughed as he got to his feet, then he looked down and blushed. Tom shook his head and walked back to the wagon. When he came back he was carrying a bar of soap. He had stood their smell for two days, and knew that he couldn't take it any longer. As they watched, he took off his own clothes and walked into the water and began to wash himself. When he was finished he walked out and sat on the bank to dry. Kelly watched him, but made no move to get out of the water. He motioned for her to get out, but she just shook her head and stayed sitting in the water. He shrugged his shoulders and said, "If you don't get out before dark you're going to have a cold night." She pursed her lips together and told him to get her a blanket, but he said no. She finally stood up and stormed out of the water. Tom knew that she was going to get a blanket from the wagon, and called to her, "If you get a blanket I will throw you back in the water blanket and all. Then you won't have a dry blanket to sleep on tonight." When she looked at him she knew that he would do it. She moved over beside him and sat down. He watched the children in the water. He could tell that the boy was just starting to grow into himself. During the next year he would grow quickly. He had dark hair and dark brown eyes, like his mother. He was gangly, but Tom suspected that he would be tall and rather broad of shoulder. He was at the awkward stage where his body was starting to change and he wasn't used to the changes. It made him trip over his feet, and misjudge things a lot. Tom smiled as he remembered himself at that time. The girl had not started to develop, but she was as different as it was possible to be. She would be short like her mother, but her bright blond hair was natural, not bleached like her mother, and she had blue eyes. She had no girlish curves, but her tiny waist did give the impression of having hips. He also saw that when she turned around that her little pleasure bud was easily larger than any woman that he had ever seen. He wondered if it was just that she was so small, and hoped that it didn't grow when she did. Most men didn't have a clue what that was for, and he believed that if it was too big it might actually scare them. He knew that any real man would know what to do with it, and hoped that she would find one of those. Kelly noticed him watching the kids. "That's Paul and Sara; just so that you don't have to call them boy and girl anymore." She said it quietly and didn't look up at him. He smiled and said, "Thanks, I have been busy thinking about other things, and I just haven't gotten around to the less important things. We appear to have a little time right now, but that could change fast. So, if I tell you something don't spend time thinking about it, just do it. It could mean your life." She nodded her head. And spoke quietly, so that only he could hear, "I know that we had trouble last night. I saw when you and the others came back to camp. I noticed the guns and the other three horses this morning. Were there really three men out there in the night last night?" Tom shook his head and told her the truth, "No, there were five men; and they're all dead now." She looked a little stunned when she said, "You mean that you killed them all, you didn't wound any of them?" There was no compassion in Tom's eyes as he looked at her hard. "No, they didn't come after us to wound us, but to kill us from the bushes in the middle of the night and take everything that they could get. I don't let men like that escape to try again some other time. I don't even think that you could call them men, walking garbage would be more the truth." She could see that he meant what he said, and it caused a shiver to race up her spine, but she also knew that he spoke the truth. It was a hard life outside of a town, and if you didn't protect yourself, then nobody else was going to do it for you. She nodded her understanding, and watched as he turned his attention back to the kids, "Don't forget to wash your hair." They looked at him and nodded their heads. As they waited for the kids to finish in the river Tom said, "We still have a couple of hours of daylight left. I will run a rope from the wagon over to that tree and you can start washing all of your clothes." Kelly looked at him but before she could say anything he said, "They stink, and I just can't stand the smell. They might be clean, but they smell like the town. Out here in the fresh air you can smell them a half a mile away, just like you can smell Kansas City almost a full day before you get there." She looked at him like he had lost his mind, but she knew that if she didn't do it then he would throw their clothes in the river and then she would have to wash them. It was just easier then arguing, and nodded her head. Tom called the children out of the water and told them to sit on the bank and get dry. They had seen Tom and Kelly doing it, and sat beside her to wait as Tom got up to run the rope and get a washtub for Kelly. The smell coming off of their bags made his stomach knot up again, but he put them beside the washtub and was happy to move away from them. His own clothes that he had been wearing weren't much better, and he was glad that he had others that were still clean. Once he was dressed, Tom and John circled the camp area looking for small animals. In a half hour they had six rabbits and headed back toward the camp. John made a comment that he thought that Tom had made a wise decision to wash, as he had started to smell pretty bad. Tom wrinkled his nose at him and said, "You know you don't smell any too good yourself. You could stand to change those clothes, too." John grinned as he nodded his head, "Well since I need to wash, you can skin the rabbits and do the cooking and I will take a bath." Tom realized that he had just been had, and laughed. John joined in and they were still laughing when they entered the camp. Tom cleaned the rabbits as John washed the smell of Kansas City from his body and clothes. As he hung the rabbits over a small fire he saw John hanging up his clothes to dry. He smelled much better in his extra clothes. John made a small motion as he headed out of the camp to search the surrounding area for any trouble. He knew that John took his job very seriously. Tom hoped that he wouldn't see Ben before noon the following day; any sooner would mean trouble was still following them. Tom noticed that Kelly and the kids had their blankets wrapped around them and made another fire, a bit larger just so they could sit around it and stay warm. Kelly smiled her thanks. Tom went back to watch over the rabbits, and to work on the skins. There was still something inside him that wouldn't let him waste anything that he didn't have to. He couldn't tan the hides, but he could clean them so they didn't rot or stink. That would have to be good enough until they could get back to the valley. When he thought that the rabbits were ready he called a shrill sharp whistle into the air and told Kelly and the kids that the food was ready. Kelly and the kids each took a rabbit and were just sitting back down by the fire when John slipped back into camp. Tom handed him a rabbit on a stick and watched as John gave a silent report that he had seen nothing. Tom breathed a sigh of relief, and thought that if just for a little while he hoped that they might be safe. That night he didn't stop Kelly when she snuggled up against him by the fire. He put his arm around her and they just sat quietly watching the fire and the night grew darker. Tom was surprised when Sara moved over and sat in his lap. He smiled at her and wrapped his other arm around her. He noticed that Paul snuggled down against his mother and they all just sat and let the night grow darker around them. Tom noticed Sara yawn, and was pretty sure that Kelly was asleep in his other arm. He gently woke her and they moved the children off under the wagon. Kelly didn't argue when Tom made her bed with the kids, and moved back over to the fire. As he sat down John informed him that it was his turn to take the first watch and before Tom could argue he was off and slipping through the night. Tom smiled as he slipped down in his blanket. He would have to have a talk with John tomorrow about how things needed to work. He came awake instantly, but he didn't know why. He listened for any noise, but he didn't hear anything. He took a quick look at the position of the moon, and the dying embers of the fire and knew that John should have woken him long ago. He silently rolled onto his feet and slipped off into the night. He moved slowly and cautiously, searching for any sound or movement. He searched close to the camp first traveling from the riverbank all the way around to the other riverbank. He didn't see much need to cross the river yet, but he knew that before he was finished he would have to check out the other side. Once away from the camp he moved silently from tree to tree watching for trouble. He moved about three hundred yards out and started back in, working in a zig-zag pattern. It was on his third trip out that he found the horses; four of them and they still had sweat on them. He moved from the horses in a searching pattern toward the camp. It only took about five minutes before he found the first body. He had his throat cut. Tom checked him and studied the ground for prints. He knew that he hadn't been there too long; not more than a half an hour. He quickly started he search again. The second body was with the third. One had his throat cut, but the other had been knifed in the belly. There was also the fact that the knife was still in his belly and it belonged to John. Tom was instantly alert to trouble. He studied the tracks and found a small trail of blood leading off into the woods. He quickly followed the trail and began to search again when the moon light was blocked by the trees. It took another five minutes before Tom found John. He was still alive, but had a knife wound in his lower back. Tom pulled out the knife and pressed a ball of wadded cloth on the wound and used John's belt to hold it in place. He then silently moved off toward the camp. There was still one more man out there. Unless John and gotten him, and Tom had missed the body. Tom didn't think so. He moved to where he could see the camp and waited to watch. He knew that if one man were still out there, sooner or later he would move in to kill everyone at the camp. Tom kept a silent vigil. About a half hour later he heard it; a rusting in the woods off to his left. He silently slipped from tree to tree in the general direction. The moon was just setting and it would soon be early dawn. He knew that soon the camp would start coming to life with a new day, and he knew that the man had to make his move soon. He stopped and waited, listening to the sounds of the night. There, he heard it again, closer, but still off to his left. He moved quickly. As he got closer he heard more sounds and soon found his target; crouching beside a tree with a rifle. He was going to wait until they started to move around, then shoot them. He didn't like this man, and he was still worrying about John. He needed to finish this and get back to John. Since this was the last man he didn't have to kill him silently, but he didn't want to alarm Kelly and the kids. He stood behind the man with his knife in his hand. He moved silently until he was right on top of him. He suddenly thrust his knife upward at the base of his skull. He felt the sharp point lodge against the hard bone. He savagely twisted his knife and felt the bone snap. With another push the man dropped to the ground, his rifle lying at his feet. Tom turned him over and looked down at the man. He knew that this man was not dead yet. He watched as his arms and legs twitched, but he knew that this man couldn't feel a thing. He knelt down and looked into his eyes. The man stared up with hate in his eyes. He knew that he couldn't make a sound. His mouth opened and closed but no sound came out. Tom spoke quietly to the man, "You boys were very stupid. You rode hard to get here, but it didn't do you any good. Now you are going to die here, and the coyotes and the vultures will have your bones." As Tom watched him he saw the look of hate grow harder and decided that he needed to understand his position. "Maybe I will just leave you here, just like you are. So that you can watch the coyotes and the vultures move in, and there won't be a thing that you can do to stop them. All you will be able to do will be to lay there and watch. At least until the vultures pluck out your eyes. They like the eyes; they usually go for them first. The man now had fear in his eyes, and Tom wanted him to know that fear. He hated men like these; willing to kill everybody from the trees for nothing more than gold. Tom watched the man as he stood up, "Think about that for a while. If you are still alive when I come back I might kill you; if you can look pitiful enough for me to have any mercy on you." Tom watched as he walked away and saw the desperation, but he had other things to do right then. When Tom got to John he found that he was awake and sitting up. "Looks like I screwed up." Tom smiled; glad that it wasn't as bad as it first looked. He nodded his head. John looked anxious, "Did you get the last one?" Tom nodded again and said, "Yea, I got him. Here, let me help you up." Once John was on his feet, Tom supported his bad side and they moved off toward the camp. When they got to the man still lying on the ground John noticed the movement of the eyes and quickly had his gun out. Tom stopped him and said, "You don't need to do that. Actually he would probably be very happy if you did." John looked at him again and suddenly realization came to his eyes. He looked at Tom again and then aimed his gun. Tom frowned and stopped him again. He left John standing by the tree and knelt down at the man again, "You are lucky that my friend isn't feeing like himself and wants to finish you quick; and that I have a lot to do. There isn't much that I would rather do that to kill you real slowly. I would love to take three or four days just letting you watch as the animals feast on your body. And I would be sitting there stopping the bleeding with a hot iron. Think of how long that you might live." Tom saw the outright fear in his eyes now. He smiled as he took out his knife, "But since I have a lot to get done, I will be kind enough to kill you." Tom saw the relief in his eyes as he slit his throat. He knew that in a couple of minutes, he would soon be dead. Tom slipped his knife back into his boot, and turned to help John the rest of the way to camp. Kelly didn't say anything as she sat down at the fire with her blanket tightly wrapped around her. She watched as Tom cleaned and dressed the wound. She noticed that neither John nor Tom even flinched when Tom expertly put two stitches in the wound. She was pretty sure that it had something to do with the scars that were scattered over both of their bodies. She couldn't imagine what they could have been doing that could leave them so accepting of the scars and the easy way that they accepted the obvious pain. She watched the easy way that Tom finished the bandaging and slapped John on the shoulder. "You'll have to fix your own shirt," Tom remarked as he tossed it to John. John grinned as he looked at the dried blood and the hole. He shrugged as he moved to get the one that had dried during the night. Tom asked if he wanted to get breakfast or handle the horses. John grinned at him when he said that he would get the breakfast, since he had already set snares during the night. Tom grinned back and said that he suspected something of the sort. Kelly watched as Tom silently moved off to the North. She wanted to ask a lot of questions, but she managed to keep herself in check as she moved off to gather the clothes that she had washed. When the children woke a short time later Kelly was dressed in a simple dress that was good for traveling, and she had laid out clothes for each of them. After visiting the bushes they quickly got dressed as they smelled the meat cooking. They were just finishing their breakfast when Tom came into camp leading three more horses, and carrying a small load of guns and a couple of saddlebags. He put the guns in the wagon and made his way to the river to wash up. Kelly suspected that it would be another quiet day. She was surprised when Tom sat and the men joked and laughed. The more she watched them, the more she wondered about them. They didn't act anything like what she expected, not that she was complaining. They appeared to be good men. Honest and kind, as long as you weren't trying to hurt them. Tom had let the children play as he set about doing little things, around the camp. He cleaned up the wagon and moved the guns to a different place in the wagon; away from the children. Then he brushed all of the horses down. Kelly watched as he silently made his way off into the trees again. She wasn't surprised when he came back about an hour later with a small deer. She watched as Tom and John quickly made short work of the deer. She knew that they would have fresh meat for a few days, and they would encourage everybody to eat as much as they wanted. Without a way to smoke the meat it wouldn't take it long to go bad. They would eat what they could and dispose of the rest, when the time came. Kelly was concerned when Tom and John began to argue. She had a hard time figuring out what was going on. When she did manage to piece things together she understood that Tom had decided to go back and check on Ben, but John was determined that it was his job, even if he did have a wound that might open up again. She didn't know what to think when they both suddenly stopped arguing and turned their attention to the trail. Tom motioned for her to get the children down, and they both seemed to disappear. A few minutes later she heard the horse riding along the trail, and she was worried. She hushed the children, as she pulled them down inside the wagon to wait for the danger. She realized that she was holding her breath, listening to the horse make its way across the water and into the camp. She couldn't understand why Tom and John would allow anyone into the camp without a shot to be fired. She suddenly breathed a sigh of relief when she heard Tom talking, and she heard Ben answering. She quickly peeked her head up and was relieved when she saw all three men sitting around the small fire. After she released the children back to their play she made her way to the men. She was surprised to see that Ben had been wounded also. Tom was checking him over and getting out his needle and thread again. She listened as Ben told his story. "It was just about sundown when seven men rode into the camp. They looked everything over, and found the bodies of the other men. They knew the men, but it didn't seem to upset them that they were dead. I guess that they didn't like each other too much. Then they had an argument about going on, or waiting for daylight. Four of the men wanted to go on, and three wanted to wait. When they couldn't make them change their mind, the four men took off again riding hard. The other three made camp. When they settled down for the night I waited until the first guard fell asleep, then I killed him quietly. I took his place and waited for the next man to relieve him. I must have done something wrong, because just before he was going to wake me, he suddenly started to yell. I grabbed him and we were fighting when the other man in camp woke up and started shooting at anything moving. He managed to shoot both of us. When we fell to the ground I stayed there until he came over to check things out, then I killed him. I knew that I would have a hard time catching up with you, so I got things together and started out. I changed horses every couple of hours so that I could make better time. I was glad that it wasn't any farther." Tom listened as he moved the needle, washed and bandaged. When he was finished Ben looked about ready to fall over. He handed him some of the meat cooking over the fire, and told him to eat and get in the wagon to get some sleep. Ben looked at John and when John nodded, he agreed. Tom set about getting things ready to move again. Kelly saw a determination in his face and quickly got their things ready to go; and the kids in the wagon. When they were ready to leave Tom ordered John to drive the wagon, as he mounted a horse. John complained but Tom didn't listen to him. Kelly was surprised when he belted on a pistol. Her surprised look was mirrored on John's face. Tom picked up a small stone and tossed it high into the air; drew his pistol and hit the stone twice before it hit the ground. As the pistol slid back into the holster John said, "You don't draw very fast, but you shoot fine." Tom smiled and told him that what he was doing didn't require him to be fast, just shoot good. John smiled and offered his hand to Kelly. When she was seated she watched as Tom rode at a fast gallop out in front of them. In no time he was gone. They made their own slow way and Kelly tried talking to John. He was always polite and respectful, something that she wasn't used to but found that she liked it. He would talk about anything, except Tom. She found that every time she asked anything about him, he just shook his head and pretended not to hear her. She was frustrated, but she could tell that it wasn't anything personal, he would have done to same thing to anyone. It only made her more curious about this strange man that she had married. It was almost dark when the wagon pulled into the camp. Tom had a fire going, but he was nowhere to be seen. She worried about him, and that surprised her. John and Ben worked together to get the wagon unhitched and the horses picketed. Kelly helped when she could. Ben was looking much better after his day of sleep. They had settled down by the fire and were just finishing their food when Tom came into the camp. He took a piece of meat from the fire and used the stick to trace a complex pattern in the dirt. John and Ben watched was he made a line here and there, and made a comment. When he was finished he said, "I didn't see anything for at least three hours behind you. I watched until it was too dark to see." They both nodded their heads, and Kelly was confused again. Ben elected to take the first watch and Kelly understood that since Tom had seen nothing then he would probably have the easiest watch and understood some of what had gone on. When Tom got up and moved toward the wagon Kelly went with him. She didn't understand why she felt that she needed to be with him as she had never felt that way before, and it confused her. When he got to the water barrel she watched as he removed his clothes and started to wash. She was amazed, as he had just had a bath the previous night. He asked if she had washed and when she said that she hadn't, he told her to get undressed and wash. She was confused, but she saw no harm in it. So they washed and she had to admit that even in the cool night air that it did feel good. When they were finished the kids followed their example and washed as well. Tom smiled at them and they both smiled back. After they were dry and dressed in clean clothes, they all settled by the fire again. Kelly found that each of them quickly settled into the same position that they had the previous night. They noticed that John was already asleep by the fire. Kelly was amazed that within a half hour she couldn't keep her eyes open any longer, and when she looked around she saw that both of the kids were already sleep. Tom carried Sara, but Kelly had to wake Paul and guide him to their blankets under the wagon. As she crawled into her blankets she wondered what he would be like in bed. She had never wondered about any man in her life, and now found that she was curious about something else, about this strange and wonderful young man that she could call hers. Then sleep came to carry her to her dreams. When she woke it was to the faint light of pre-dawn. She stretched and crawled out from under the wagon. She smiled as she thought that she was sleeping better than at any other time of her life. She moved to sit at the fire and saw that John and Ben were already there. She thought that Tom was still out guarding them and it made her feel safe. After the kids had joined them at the fire, John handed out the morning meal. When they were finished Kelly was surprised That John kicked out the fire and said that it was time to get things ready to leave. Kelly asked about Tom and was surprised to hear that he had left a couple of hours earlier, and had taken four horses with him. Kelly asked what that meant and Ben told her, "He plans to do a lot of very fast riding and change horses so they won't get tired out. With four horses he can go a long ways very fast." It was John's cup that flew and hit the wagon, "And we don't even know where he is going!" Kelly was surprised at his reaction and it suddenly made her worried, but not for herself. "Is he in any danger out there all by himself?" Both of them stared at her, but it was Ben that spoke softly to her, "Out there he is better than any ten men. No, he isn't in any real danger that he can't handle. He's Fi ... uh ... Tom, and Tom is a very great man." When Kelly looked at Ben he seemed to be blushing, and she thought that it must have been the first time that he had done that in a very long time. She turned to John and asked him if Tom was so great of a man, and could handle himself so well, why he was upset that he was gone. The fire in John voice threatened to erupt again as he tried to control himself. "Because we have been ordered to keep him alive, even if we have to die doing it, and here we are sitting on this wagon and he is out there. If something does happen we will never know it. I would rather be dead than to face his father, and tell him that he is dead." Kelly put her hand gently on his shoulder and spoke softly, "I don't know what I would do either, if he died." John looked at her and for the first time that morning he smiled and nodded his head. His bad mood was gone and he set out to get thing ready to go. The day was spent looking and listening; everybody hoping to get a sign of Toms' return. Ben would ride out ahead of the wagon and they would catch up in an hour, then he would lag behind and catch up in about an hour. It was a long day. They rode until almost dark before making camp. Kelly found that her nervousness was reflected in the others, even the children. Nobody wanted to go to their blankets that night, but Kelly shooed the children off, and soon found herself settled beside them. It was not the good night's sleep that she been enjoying lately. In the morning she was disappointed to learn that Tom had not made it back yet. The concern was on the faces of the men, but she put on her best face and started working on breakfast. They both knew the truth and tried along with her. They broke camp early and got started just after sunrise. They knew that it was going to be another long day. They were right. That day they stopped with still an hour of light, but they all felt exhausted. As they sat up camp John made a quick patrol of the area surrounding the camp. When he was back at camp he sat quietly by the fire, and said that he hadn't seen a thing in any direction. They all knew what he really meant, and steeled themselves for another long night. ------- Chapter 17 There was a sound that brought Kelly instantly awake. When she looked at the fire she saw Tom sitting there, talking with John and Ben. Before she even realized what she was doing she was off at a run and even knocked him off of the log that he was sitting on as she jumped into his lap. It was only when she was sitting there that she said, "Ugh, you stink!" suddenly all of them were laughing, but her laughing couldn't hide the blush that made her face red. When she looked at Tom's clothes she saw that they were splattered in dried blood. He noticed her eyes and reassured her that it wasn't his. She suddenly realized that she didn't care whose it was or how it got there, as long as it didn't belong to Tom. John and Ben watched as Tom struggled to get back onto the log with Kelly still in his lap, but made no move to help him with smiles on their faces. Tom saw their looks and knew that they were entitled to a little fun at his expense. Tom said that he was starving and Kelly quickly started to put something together for him. As he ate he knew that all of them were waiting for his story, but it would have to wait until he had eaten. When he was finished he slipped to the ground and leaned against the log that he had been sitting on. Kelly slipped in his arm and he began his tale. "I knew that if we kept letting them come at us a few at a time, sooner or later they would get lucky again, so I decide to take the fight to them. I went back to the first camp, but found that there were scavengers there. I didn't know if they were interested in us, or just what they could find. So I decided that I would find out before doing anything. I headed back to the camp at the river. They were a few hours behind me, so I decided to give them an easy target. I set up a nice little camp, with a few of our poor friends. I bandaged them up to look like they had seen a pretty bad fight and were traveling slow. I bedded down two of them and sat one on guard against a big rock. I put dinner scraps around the fire and settled in to wait and see what would happen. It didn't take long. I watched them get close enough to see what was going on before they pulled back and circled around to cross the river downstream. I knew then that they were interested in us. So I waited for them to work their way around. There were seven of them, well actually six and a boy. They left him tending the horses. I took him out first by putting him to sleep. While he was out I tied him up and picketed the horses. Then I moved back down to wait and see what they were going to do. These boys didn't even wait until it was good and dark, and just rushed in shooting everybody. I used the rifle and killed four of them before the other two figured out what had happened. When they ran off into the woods, I started hunting them." Kelly saw the look on John and Ben's face and saw the shiver that ran through Ben. For some reason, that said more about what Tom was capable of than any story that he could tell. She shivered herself and Tom felt it. He smiled down at her and she suddenly felt warm and safe. Tom took a drink and continued his story, "It wasn't long before I heard the first one moving to where I had been when I attacked them. I let him go past and drove my knife into his back between the shoulder blades. It snapped the spine, but he could still talk. I hit him with the handle of my gun and then turned my attention to the last man. He found the man I had just hit and turned to run for the horses. I was waiting and as he passed I clubbed him with my gun too. I tied him up and carried him down to the camp. Over north of the camp there was some large ant hills, I took him there. Then I went back and got my friend that couldn't move. Him I carried down and put right beside the ant hill and stripped him. Then I covered him with honey. I went back to find the boy awake and had him point out which horse was his. Once he told me I killed the others horses as he watched. Then I led him and his horse down to the camp. You could hear the screams a couple hundred yards before we got there. When we got there I made sure that he saw all of the dead bodies. He knew which ones were his friends. I pushed him over to the screaming man. I made him watch as the ants slowly ate him alive. I told the other man that he was next. He was begging as he watched. He begged the whole time. When the first man died a couple of hours later, I turned to him. He cried and begged some more. I shot both of his knee caps and dragged him over to the ant hills. I ripped off his shirt and covered him with honey. Then I took a gun and let him watch me take out all but one bullet. Then I cut his hands loose. Before I gave him the gun I told him that he should consider how he wanted to die. If he wanted to use his only bullet on me, then the ants would get him. Then I pitched him the gun. He did point it at me, but then he put it in his mouth, closed his eyes and pulled the trigger." There wasn't a sound in the camp as Tom poured himself some more coffee. He saw that even John and Ben were quiet. He knew that they didn't have the stomach for dirty work. He assumed that they just hadn't seen enough people that they loved killed. But he had learned from Gray Eagle, there are times that you have to make a point, and the harder that you drive the point home, the better the lesson is learned. Tom knew that Kelly would be shocked, even Cheyenne women had a hard time with some things. He knew that her white upbringing would never have prepared her for some of the things that he had done, and that he was sure that fear would have a grip on her. When he looked he was surprised that she not only looked calm, but seemed unconcerned about the story. He frowned as he sat back against the log. He didn't know if she was in shock, or she really just didn't care. He cleared his throat to get every body's attention, "I then turned my attention to the boy. I cut the ropes on him and pointed to the men on the ground and told him that he was going to die like that. Not then, but it was only a matter of time. If he worked hard and did the right things in life, then people would respect him. But, if he stole, robbed and killed for his money, then he would end up just like them. It was only a matter of time, just like it had been for them. I'm sure that they told you it would be easy, just ride out and take it. Well, it's not always easy and one time you won't ride back. This is the time to decide what you will do with the rest of your life. But, if you ever try to come after me again, I will kill you so slowly that you won't even remember a time that you didn't feel pain. I handed his reins to him and watched him mount. Before he turned to leave I told him that he had better tell anybody else thinking of coming after easy money that I am not easy, and there are more than a dozen dead men waiting for them in hell. And tell them that each one will die slower and more painfully than the last. He shook his head and I watched as he rode off as fast as that horse could run. Once I was sure that he was gone I pulled all of the bodies together and started a big fire. I stayed up wind until morning, and then I took off to catch up with you. It was a hard ride, but I don't think that we will be having too many more trying to catch up with us." Tom looked to John as he shook his head and said that he wouldn't, Ben echoed his sentiment and both of them got up to head back to their blankets. Tom just shook his head and wondered how they could be so soft, when so many lives depended on their success. When he looked down at Kelly he saw that she smiled at him and said, "It was nice that you let the boy go, and you might have even made him a better man in the end." Tom seemed surprised at her and asked, "didn't what I did shock you?' Kelly was quiet for a minute before she spoke, "It would have before, but I thought about what you said. You didn't go looking to kill those men, but they did come looking to kill us. They came looking to kill my kids. Maybe not specifically my kids, but they would have killed them just the same. If you think that what you did to them was bad, you don't know what I would have done to anybody trying to kill my kids." Tom smiled and laughed as he held her tighter. He noticed that John and Ben were looking at her differently, and Tom hoped that maybe they were even thinking that there are some things worth any price to protect. Just as Kelly felt about her kids, Tom felt about the whole Cheyenne people. Tom put Kelly back in her blankets and moved to wash away the filth on his body before settling himself down for a few hours sleep. Tom appeared to be right. John and Ben continued their patrols. They kept much closer, but they never saw any other riders, and during the night they found no signs of danger. After a week Tom called them in to ride close to the wagon. They all seemed to relax, and the trip, even though, long and tedious was almost pleasant with the idle chatter. They all felt the tensions ease from them, and each day was like the last. When they pulled up beside a small stream Tom called a halt for the day. Even though it was still early in the afternoon, he felt a need to let everyone vent some of the nervous energy that the trip was producing. He also knew that it would give him a chance to get some clean clothes. He was starting to feel dirty in a way that only a good bath and clean clothes can fix. John went upstream a little ways and Ben went downstream, giving Tom, Kelly and the kids some privacy. They could still see them if they looked hard, but they were just trying to be polite. As Tom stripped and waded into the stream the kids were right behind him. Kelly took a little longer, but only because all of the buttons on her dress slowed her down. She wasn't sure when it happened, but she realized that Tom's fanatical desire to be clean was starting to rub off on her. Even the kids seemed to be catching it. She marveled as she looked at them; they seemed to be happier than they ever had. She also had found that Tom had been right when he had told her that she had smelled. Since she was always clean she smelled things that she had never smelt before. She realized that it was like trying to smell a flower in an outhouse; you just couldn't do it. Now all of the flowers smelled sweeter, and the scents in the air carried a rainbow of colors to her nose. She had never told Tom that he had been right, and she wasn't sure that she ever could, but she was sure that she would never be as dirty as she was before. She realized that since she had met Tom she had taken more bathes than she had in her entire life. Not just the washing up, but full 'get in the water' bathes. Now she couldn't see herself doing anything else, if it was available. She was also surprised how easily all of them could take off their clothes in front of each other, even John and Ben. They pretended not to notice, but she knew that they would have to have been dead not to look, but she didn't seem to mind. It was probably because Tom didn't mind, and she wondered about that. He was so different from other men. As she walked into the water she sat beside Tom and he handed her the soap. She wondered how he always seemed to have a bar of soap so handy. As she washed she watched the kids scrubbing away the dirt of the trip and knew that she would need to wash clothes again and made a comment to Tom that he would need to run the wash line again. He smiled and said that as soon as they were dry he would run the line, and get the tub out of the wagon. Then he dropped down on his back below the water and rinsed the soap from his body and hair. She smiled and followed his example. As Tom was sitting at the fire he noticed that the noise from the children had stopped. When he looked around he noticed that they were gone. He thought that they had just visited the bushes, but when they didn't appear to continue their play he decided to find out what was wrong. He looked the see Kelly still washing the clothes and knew that she hadn't noticed yet, so he silently slipped from the camp and made his way around through the woods. He heard the noises and silently followed them until he looked in a small clearing and saw them. He saw Paul standing with Sara kneeling in front of him. From her obviously skillful motions he could tell that this wasn't the first time that she had been on her knees. Paul was enjoying her attentions, and it didn't appear that he was forcing her, so Tom left the clearing. He made no attempt to be quiet and Paul noticed him leave. When the children returned to their play Tom was sitting by the fire working on the harness again. Paul sat beside him, "Are you gonna tell maw about Sara and me?" Tom thought for a minute before he said, "Do you think that I should?" Paul looked at him hard before he answered, "Gosh no, she would beat the tar out of both of us." Tom smiled and shook his head, "Why would she do that?" Paul shrugged his shoulders and Tom knew that he didn't have an answer. Tom thought for a minute before he said, "I'll tell you what I'll do. If you two tell her, then I will make sure that she doesn't beat the tar out of you. I don't know what she will do, but it won't be a beating." Paul looked at him closely before he answered. "What if we don't say nothing?" Tom ginned at him and said, "Well, then I'll tell her and you are both on your own." Paul grunted and said, "not a very good deal, we lose either way." Tom laughed and shook his head, "Yep Paul, you will find that life is like that sometimes. You just have to make the best out of what you have to work with." Paul grunted again and got up to go back to play with Sara. He noticed a lot of whispering going on before the play settled down to just tossing stones in the stream. That night after they had eaten Tom made a motion to John and Ben and they both got up and said that they were going to patrol the area before time to settle down for the night. Kelly thought it strange that both of them were going to go out and looked at Tom. She could tell that he had sent them out, as they both left him only when he ordered it. Tom just stared at the fire. Paul knew what was going on, and silently he thanked Tom that he had sent both of the men away. Sara had told him that she wanted him to do the talking for both of them. Even though he hadn't worked up his courage enough to say anything yet, he knew that if he didn't say something soon, then Tom would have to, before John and Ben came back. He coughed and sputtered and wished that he had something to drink as his mouth felt like it was full of sand. Somehow he managed to get started and then the words came easier. "Uh, maw. Uh, I've got something that I gotta tell ya. Uh, well, uh me and Sara, well, we been doing some things together. I didn't force her to either; she wanted ta, just like me. And well, we, I mean she, was kinda like sucking on me, you know like you use to do with Bob the bartender on Wednesday nights when you was paying the rent. And, well we, just kinda tried it and we both liked it, so we been doing it whenever we get the chance. And, well, uh today, uh, well, Tom kinda caught us, and he said that if we told ya, I mean well he said that we had to tell ya, so now we told ya." Paul's courage and voice ran down about the same time. Tom looked at Kelly and saw that the stunned expression was wearing off and she was starting to look mad. He gently squeezed her shoulders and whispered, "Stay calm and talk this out. Don't yell and scream and see if you can get the whole truth, before you think about trying to kill them." She shot a fiery look at him, but he saw that she got a grip on herself. "Just what did you two think that you were doing? You are just kids, and you don't know anything about things like that." Paul looked at her like she had just sprouted a third eye and couldn't believe what he had heard. He cleared his throat and Tom had to admit that he was doing pretty well facing the most fearsome person that he had ever met. "Maw, we ain't kids no more, and we know all about them things. We lived behind a Saloon, and we seen everything that there was to see. On Friday and Saturday nights, if we didn't keep the door bolted we would have both been bent over our bed until they heard you coming home. More than once old Bob used to talk real sweet to us and try to get us to open the door, but I wouldn't fall for it. I seen what he did to the other kids that opened that door, and I wasn't gonna be one of them." Kelly was looking stunned again, but she quickly found her voice. She turned to Sara, and asked her, "So young lady, just what do you have to say for yourself?" Sara just kept her head down. She wouldn't meet anybodies eyes. Tom felt a little sorry for her when she put her thumb in her mouth. Kelly tried again, in a softer voice. "Is it true that you liked it and wanted to do it? And nobody made you do anything" They watched as Sara nodded her head, then there was a squeaky little voice, that you had to try to hear, "Just with Paul, I didn't want to with anybody else." Kelly shook her head and sat staring up at the stars. Tom could see that Kelly wasn't going to say anything else so he did, "Okay kids, why don't you go and get wrapped up in your blankets and get a good nights' sleep. We will talk before we pull out in the morning." As they made their way toward the wagon Kelly said, "And keep those trips to the bushes strictly business." Tom was sure that she didn't have to say that, but he saw them move a little faster at her words. She didn't have anything to say as she watched the kids settle down under the wagon. Without looking at him Kelly said, "Thank you." Tom wasn't sure what she was thanking him for, so he made a noncommittal grunt, and waited to see where she was going to go. She quickly glanced at him and smiled as she said, "For not letting me make a fool out of myself. You knew that the first thing that I wanted to do was to yell and scream at them. If I had, I would just have made a fool out of myself." She slumped against him as she quietly said, "How can I yell at them for doing the same thing that they have watched me do, since the day that they were born? I never knew that they saw so much. I thought that they didn't understand what was going on. Now I see that they understood a lot better than I did what was going on around there." Tom squeezed her shoulders as she snuggled deeper into his arm. Her voice was quiet and she never looked up at him as she whispered, "I wasn't much older than Paul when I went to work in the saloon. I didn't even know that I was pregnant. My momma had to go back east to help take care of her sister. I took over as the woman of the house. I cared for the stock and the kids while poppa worked in the fields. At night poppa taught me how to take care of him, and then I was really the woman of the house. Everything was fine until momma came back. She was gone a long time, but when she came back she took one look at me and called me names, that I didn't understand. I leaned those names very well, as I have heard them almost every day of my life since then; hussy, slut, whore and home-wrecker; oh yes, I know all of those names now." "But back then I couldn't understand what was wrong, or what she was upset about. She threw me and my clothes out the front door, and when she slammed it closed. I heard her start yelling at poppa. All the time that she had yelled at me and threw me out poppa had never said a word, and as she yelled at him I still didn't hear him say anything. After I gathered up my clothes, there weren't many of them, and they really didn't fit very well as my belly had started to get big. I thought that I was just getting fat. Well, after I got my things I left for the only place that I knew of; town. I didn't know what I was going to do, or how I was going to live. I must have looked a sight; a little pregnant girl stumbling into town, carrying a bundle of clothes with tears streaming down her face. No money and not knowing how to make any." Tom felt the wet spot on his shirt continue to grow, and just held her tighter. She sniffed once and he felt her wipe her eyes before she continued her story. "I'm sure you know what happened then. None of the decent women of the town would even look at me twice, and behind my back I heard the same names. That's when I stumbled into Sarah. For good or bad, it would have happened sooner or later. If it hadn't been her, it would have been one of the other women, because it was all that I had. She saw me and when she looked at me she understood what had happened. Not everything, but she understood why I was there and that I needed help. She took me back to her little shack behind the saloon. She explained things to me, and even told me that I was pregnant. That was the biggest shock of all to me. She told me that if I wanted to take care of my baby, then I was going to need to learn how to make money, and to take care of myself and my baby. She told me how she made her living. I thought that it sounded easy, but those men didn't love me, or treat me nice like poppa did, and it wasn't easy. I used to cry every night, until Sarah slapped me around and told me that it was only going to get tougher, and that if I wanted to survive then I had better get tougher to handle it. She was right, and she was the only one that wanted to help me, without wanting anything from me. She helped me when Paul was born, and took care of me until I could get back on my feet. She was my only friend until she left for another town and another saloon. I didn't understand at the time, but I do now; she was getting older and with younger women it was getting harder for her to make a living. I cried when she left. When I got pregnant again I named Sara after the only friend that I ever had. Tom felt a fresh batch of tears join the stream on his chest and just held her tightly until the moment passed. "I never realized all of the things going on. Some things I only saw once and didn't think anything about it. Now I understand more of what I saw, and why the kids used to prowl the streets at night. Mine didn't, and I was glad of that, but I understand now why they didn't. I had taken over Sarah's shack when she left, and it had a good solid bolt that she had the blacksmith make just for her. It was probably the only shack that you couldn't force your way into. I never thought much about it always being locked when I was gone, but now I understand why. I'm glad that they were safe." She sniffed a couple of times and Tom thought that she had finished, but she surprised him when she continued, "Poppa and momma left town shortly after Paul was born. Poppa came to see me, and he even got a chance to hold Paul when he told me that momma wanted to go and live with her sister and to help work their farm, back east. I didn't think that poppa really wanted to go, but I understand now that poppa wasn't much of a man, but I still loved him even though he didn't have any backbone." Kelly looked up at Tom. Even though her eyes were red and puffy, he noticed that they were clear and he thought that she had never looked younger than she did at that moment. She held his gaze as she said, "Now you know all of my dirty little secrets, and if you want to get rid of me then now is the time." Tom could see that she was waiting expectantly, but he just smiled and kissed her on the tip of her nose. She giggled like a little girl, and he suddenly realized that she had not made that sound since the morning that they had gotten married, and left Kansas City. Tom decided that if they were going to air their secrets, then it was as good a time as any. He looked her in the eye and said, "Since you have told me your secrets, now I should tell you mine, and maybe you'll want to be rid of me." She giggled again, but Tom's serious expression made her consider his words. She didn't know that much about him, and she did have her fears, but she had come to believe that he was a good man, and he really did have feelings for her and that was good enough for her. No matter what else he might be. Tom called to John and Ben. When they walked to the fire, Tom motioned for them to sit. They looked at each other, but sat quietly by the fire. Tom cleared his throat and spoke clearly, but softly, "John said that he told you that my father sent them to guard me; that is true. But, what he didn't tell you is who my father is, and why he would do that when I can obviously take care of myself. My father is Gray Eagle, Chief of the Cheyenne as we are all Cheyenne warriors." Tom watched as Kelly looked at him. When she saw that he was not making a joke, she suddenly stumbled back and unceremoniously landed on her ass, but the pain didn't register on her face. The only thing on her face was fear. Tom watched as the fear turned first to confusion then to suspicion. He saw that she was going to say something, but raised his hand, and before she could ask too many questions he started his own story. "I was younger than Paul when we left Virginia, and I was older when the Cheyenne attacked the wagon train. Usually only very young boys are taken and raised as a Cheyenne, but I had certain skills that Gray Eagle wanted. My family was dead, I had nowhere to go, and like you, no way to earn a living. Besides if I hadn't been willing, I would have been killed. I knew that. It was go with them, or die; so I went. I was always looking for a chance to escape, but none came. Once I got to the Cheyenne village I saw how the Cheyenne lived, and it didn't take long to love the ways of the Cheyenne. They are simple and honorable people. They don't kill without reason, they have laws and they obey those laws, they care for widows and orphans and they love their families. They are not the savages that the white man thinks that they are. Actually the white man is much more savage. The white man kills his own people for greed, passion, hate and anger and what he will do to anybody that isn't white, you wouldn't have the stomach to watch. But it is always okay, after all they are just stupid savages and don't deserve any better. No the Indian is not the savage here. The white man is the savage." The passion is his voice cut through Kelly and she listened. She knew that what she had heard the men talking about in the saloons said they he was right about how they felt about the Indian. She knew how she had been treated and figured that at least what he said about the white man was true, but she wasn't sure that what he had said about the Indian was true, but she didn't have any reason to think that he would lie. She tried to push her own fear away and listen openly to him. Maybe there was a better life. Tom thought so, and she had never been happier since she had met him, and she respected him. Not something that she felt for any other man in a very long time. "I learned the Cheyenne tongue, and laws. I loved the Cheyenne people. I have done everything that I could to keep the Cheyenne people safe, and out of the hands of the white man; just like I am doing now. I have bought the land that the Cheyenne people will use to live in the future. I will hold that land and when I die it will pass to another who will hold the land. Since the Cheyenne can't own land, they needed a white man to own it. So I gave up everything to be a white man again. I find the ways of the white man to be disgusting and cruel. What I have had to do just to get out of Kansas City alive makes me sick, but it is what I have to do, and I will do it and anything else that I have to do. I miss my life as a simple Cheyenne; the hunting, fishing and my wives. I miss all of the things that I had to leave behind to help my people, but I will do what must be done." Tom knew that she was surprised, and he expected an explosion, but he had decided to get everything out at once and see where things would lay. He looked her in the eye and saw that she had not missed his words. "You mean that you have Indian squaws as wives?" She stared open mouthed and Tom smiled and shook his head. Tom said, "I have two Cheyenne wives, one was born Cheyenne and one was a white captive, but they are both Cheyenne women. I don't like the term squaw. I happen to love my wives. What I said to you was the truth; I will care for you and your children, and if we find that we can love each other, then I will love you too, but I will never stop loving my Cheyenne wives. I know that this is not the way that the white man lives, and I will understand if you do not want to share your husband. As you have said, this is the time to reveal your secrets, and decide if we need to continue on together, or go our separate ways. The decision is yours, as I have told you everything that you need to know about me." Kelly didn't speak as she looked at Tom hard. John and Ben watched to see what was going to happen next. She spoke slowly and softly when she said, "I'm not sure what to say." Tom smiled at her and said, "We have a long way to go and you can think about it as long as you like." He suggested that she get into her blankets and he would see her in the morning. She absently nodded and moved to crawl into her blankets. Tom decided that he would take the first patrol and told John and Ben as he walked from the camp. Kelly watched him leave and she didn't remember when she fell asleep, as her mind was jumbled with the new things that she had heard. Everything that she had thought that she had known, she was told were lies and new ideas filled her mind. Her dreams were filled with troubled thoughts. When she woke she looked to see that Tom was already sitting at the fire. As she sat beside him she said, "We never talked about the kids. I don't really know what to tell them." Tom looked at her and asked, "Are you really surprised, or angry about it? Are they really hurting anybody, even themselves? Now that the shock has worn off, what do you think you should do about it?" Tom turned back to the breakfast that he was cooking and waited for her to tell him what she thought. It was a short time later that she spoke again, "No, they aren't hurting anybody, and I'm really not as surprised as I should be. But, how do I tell them that what they are doing is okay?" Tom shrugged his shoulder and answered easily, "I think that it is more of explaining what is expected of them. Things like not forcing anybody to do anything that they don't want to do, and not doing things where somebody can stumble across them, and learning how to act responsible. If they are going to act like adults, then they should be willing to accept the responsibility of being adults. It is their decision how they want to be treated, but they can't have it both ways; either kids or adults but they have to choose." Tom looked to see Kelly thinking over his words. He turned his attention back to the breakfast. As they hitched the team, Tom noticed Kelly talking to the kids. It appeared to be a very intense discussion, but it didn't last long. Tom noticed that everybody came away looking happy. He knew that no matter what the choice had been, it was going to be hard to live up to, and they were going to find that out soon enough. As they rode Tom noticed that Kelly was lost in thought. She didn't seem to be paying attention to anything going on around her. He also noticed that as she rode she had put her arm in his, and a little while later she had moved close to him and rested her head on his shoulder. He didn't say anything as the day wore on. When they stopped for the night Kelly surprised Tom when she turned to the kids and told them to unhitch the team and get the horses picketed for the night. They had usually spent the evening playing and making as much noise as possible, and they seemed stunned at her orders. When Paul started to grumble she said to them, "If you haven't noticed, adults have jobs to do, not just playing. Children grumble, not adults. They get on with the things that have to be done. If you want to be treated like an adult, then act like one and get your jobs done." She turned to get the fire started and never looked back. Tom noticed that they made no other comments. He was on hand to make sure that they could ask for help when it was needed. It took them well into dinner to get their job done, and they looked tired. Tom could understand, brushing down and feeding the horses can be difficult when you have never done the job, especially when you have so many extra horses, but Kelly said that all of them had to be taken care of. Tom smiled at their determination. After dinner everybody washed up and settled in around the fire. John was out patrolling the area as they relaxed for the evening. Tom noticed that the kids were nodding off after only a couple of minutes and pointed it out to Kelly. She smiled and hustled them off to their blankets. They didn't protest as they were asleep almost before they got covered up. She smiled as she sat back down. "Their first day as an adult went pretty good. But, I think that it was a little tiring." Tom smiled at her. She settled under his arm and snuggled up to watch the fire. He hustled her off to bed an hour later when he noticed that she was asleep. When she woke she saw that Ben was making breakfast and she knew that Tom was off in the woods, patrolling the area of the camp. She felt safe and knew that Tom would never allow anyone to harm them. She suddenly realized that she had come to terms with the things in her mind. She realized that there were good men, and bad men, and it didn't matter if they were white or Indian. She had met three Indians here and she would trust any of the three with her life. She was not as sure that there were that many white men that she would trust. She found that the Indian issue was the only real thing that was bothering her. The fact that she had never had a man to herself, for more than a night at a time didn't really bother her to share Tom with other women. She knew that she would have loved to have had him all to herself, but she was also not sure that she could handle a man that much as she had never had to do it. But she smiled to herself with the dream to try. She was just settling down to the fire when she saw Tom entered the camp. She shivered as she realized that he came and went like the wind; silent and swift. She marveled that John and Ben seem to hear him and knew when he was around. She wondered how they did it, and also wondered if she could learn how. As Tom sat by the fire she quietly told him of her decision. He nodded his head and looked at her carefully. When he had seen what he was looking for, he stood up and held his arms out to her. She suddenly found herself in those strong arms, and as she stood there feeling his arms wrapped around her she realized that nothing else mattered, as long as she could have the feeling racing through her at that moment. She cried in pleasure as she hugged him fiercely. The children found that before they could eat that they had to feed the horses. After their breakfast they found out that hitching the team was harder than unhitching them. They found that while everybody loaded the wagon they had to hurry to get their job done. Tom checked the cinches and pointed out where it was too loose and where it was too tight. He explained that they could hurt the horses if the cinches were too tight. When everything was ready they set off for another day of travel. Kelly didn't understand how the day passed so quickly. It seemed that she was just settling herself in the wagon when they were stopping for the night. After the kids had settled into their blanket and were peacefully sleeping, Kelly collected a small number of blankets and walked to Tom. As she held her hand to him she said, "Come my husband, it is time that we go to bed." John and Ben suddenly found things that they needed to be doing and Kelly smiled as she led Tom off to the edge of the clearing and spread some of the blankets on the ground. She slowly removed her clothes and laid herself on the blankets and reached to Tom. He smiled at her as he flowed into her arms. As they kissed she felt his hot tongue worming its way into her mouth. It was hard and strong like Tom and it made her breath catch in her throat. She tasted sweet wine and exotic flavors on his lips and she hungered for more. Her arms around his neck squeezed with a passion she had never known. Suddenly she was on top of him. She wanted to give him the most intense pleasure that she could imagine. She kissed and caressed her way to the throbbing meat between his legs. She had seen some larger and many smaller, and she thought that it was perfect. It was just like him; hard and throbbing and alive. As she ran her hands lovingly over it she felt, smelled and sensed his very essence. She knew that there was no other cock in the world like this one, and she could tell it apart from any others. Its feel, and smell and its very shape were burned into her brain. She also knew that from this moment, only this one could quench the fires in her body. Fires that she had not felt in a long time, and that were now trying to consume her from the inside. As she slipped her mouth over his throbbing cock she allowed herself to experience the rapture of its presence. She used every trick, and secret that she had ever learned to give as much pleasure as she could to the man that now held the reins of her passion. Tom moaned as he felt the exquisite sensations racing through his body. He felt things that he had never felt before, and knew that she was giving everything that she had to pleasure him. It made him feel proud of her. His moans fed her passion and drove her to more aggressive actions, each bringing more moans. She was feeding her own passions and driving Tom to the pinnacle of pleasure. Kelly suddenly knew that she wanted to taste the very essence of his soul, but she wanted him inside her more. The desire to have him deep in her body and to have him possess her drove her into a frenzy. She suddenly crawled up to kiss him again and pulled him as she rolled onto her back. Tom rolled as far as his side, and she was confused. He had stopped and leaned down to kiss her again. She wanted him in her, and he knew it, but he refused to roll on top of her. The frustration grew as she pulled harder, but he gently slid his mouth down to her throbbing nipples. They were so hard that the slight breeze sent lances of pleasure racing through her body. When his mouth closed over a nipple she screamed as the pleasure felt too intense to endure. But as he continued to lick, suck and nibble she grunted her pleasure and bit her lip to stifle any further screams. She was relieved when he moved from her nipples and kissed lower. He now rolled between her legs, but his chest was at her aching pussy and that was not what she wanted there. He kissed lower and nipped and bit gently as he moved lower. She was confused. Was he planning to do what she thought that he was? She had never even heard of any man that would do that. She and Sarah had done it a long time ago, and she was embarrassed to remember that time, but as his lips slipped onto her pleasure button she couldn't help the scream that escaped from her lips. He had to hold her hips to keep his mouth attached to her throbbing clit as she bucked and thrashed. Lights exploded behind her eyes and she couldn't see anything as fire raced through her body, consuming her until it reached the little place resting in Tom's mouth. As he sucked and nibbled on it she suddenly felt the fire explode in pleasurable waves of scalding sensation coursing through every inch in her body as she felt a damn break and a river poured from her hot throbbing pussy. She couldn't get enough air to feed the fire in her body as she panted in desperation. The fire continued to rage and she pushed his head away to try to stop the fires. As his mouth came off with a small pop, she fell back and tried to hold on to the pleasure as it began to fade. The ripples still driving her body as each quake of pleasure released more fire through her veins. As each wave got smaller she was slowly able to see through the light in her eyes. Tom watched the pleasure ease from her body. She twitched and moaned as each ripple lessened and she came down from the heights of her passion. When she was almost calm Tom positioned himself and eased his hard cock deep into her fiery depths. Kelly's eyes snapped open and then rolled back into her head. Tom began a slow steady rhythm of long deep strokes. Kelly shook and moaned as a new set of pleasurable sensations overtook her body. She was remotely aware of Tom deep in her body and it satisfied some craving deep within her and she basked in the glow of love. Yes, she realized that she could actually call it love. She had never really loved a man, not like what she felt now and knew it for what it was. The knowledge brought her to the peak of pleasure once again and the next deep thrust sent to into the mad turmoil of chaotic passion again. It was some time before Kelly could see and understand what was happening again. When she looked up she saw Tom leaning over her, watching her with a smile on his lips. She felt his hard cock throbbing deep inside her and she wrapped her legs around his hips. She pulled him down to her for a deep kiss and as they started to move together she knew that this time would be her last. She knew that she wouldn't be able to handle any more pleasure without a long rest. She tried to hold back the passion, and realized that it was a new experience, and she had never had that problem. No man had ever given her any real pleasure before, and now she didn't know how to hold back the growing passion. She didn't have to worry much about it. Tom found that she was extremely talented and her pussy had muscles that massaged him in ways that no woman had ever done. He found the cum quickly rising in his balls and knew that he would soon erupt with a force that threatened to cause her damage. As they raced to the peak of pleasure together they kissed and nibbled each other. When Tom felt the point of no return, he grunted his pleasure and it raced from his balls. Kelly relaxed her weak control and they both found themselves lost in the pleasure of orgasm, in each other's arms. When Tom awoke a little later, he found his cock getting hard again as it was still deeply wedged in Kelly's tight little pussy. He shivered as he gently pulled it out of her. She moaned her disappointment in her sleep, and then he lay down beside her and covered then both. As he slipped back to sleep he felt Kelly snuggled deep into his shoulder and knew that it was just a woman's preferred place to sleep. ------- Chapter 18 When Tom woke the next morning he was surprised to see that it was already light. Kelly was already up and dressed, with John and Ben sitting at the fire. He had hoped that they would have woke him for a patrol, but was also glad that they hadn't. He got to his feet and went to wash up. Once washed and dressed he made his way to the fire and sat down. Kelly came to him, leaned down and kissed him passionately. "If that's the way that all Indians make love, then paint me up, because I am never going back." Tom laughed and was surprised to hear Ben say, "No, there are very few men like him. The women of the village would throw themselves at his feet, if they thought that it would do any good. Besides, if any of them got within ten feet, they would have to tangle with his wives, and there aren't many women willing to do that. They made their position very clear, and when there were five of them they could have taken on every woman of the village, at the same time, and easily won. Now it is just envy that the men have to put up with." Kelly gasped and Tom frowned. John elbowed Ben in the ribs and he looked up suddenly alarmed. Tom waved at him and said, "There are only two now. I found that five women kept me a little too busy at home, and I had to get rid of them. I couldn't get rid of the other two, they just wouldn't go. It means that they spend a lot of time alone, but they have accepted that. As far as anything else you will have to corner these two and ask them about it, as I don't know what they are talking about. I'm nothing more than an average man. I don't do anything different than anybody else, but I do care about the woman that I am with. If that makes me different, then I am. But I don't think so. I have said everything that I care to about this, and if you want to discuss it then please do it when I am not around." Tom picked up his breakfast and began to eat. Kelly had a thoughtful expression and looked at John and Ben. The day was quite with Kelly snuggling against Tom, and the children snickering from the back of the wagon. That evening, Tom was glad to take the first patrol. It seemed that there was an undercurrent of tension most of the day and when he was alone in the woods it felt good and he was able to relax. He spent most of the night slipping through the trees like a ghost; he only went back when he had to sleep. He gently woke Ben and he was instantly awake. Ben started to apologize, but Tom stopped him. He said that he didn't say anything wrong, and it was better to get everything out in the open. Otherwise it festered until it started to ooze out, just like a bad wound. He gently slapped him on the back and smiled as he sent him off on patrol. Kelly was sleeping under the wagon, so he curled up in a blanket by the dying fire and was asleep instantly. When he heard the crackle of the fire he opened his eyes to see John putting fresh wood on the fire. He looked and knew that the sun would soon be up. He stretched as he sat up, then helped John get the breakfast started. It was a short time later that Kelly came to the fire. She sat beside Tom and wrapped her arm around him. He put his arm around her without noticing that he did it, and she purred into his chest. He looked down at her and smiled. As they rode that day Kelly broke the silence, "It is really true that you had five women?" Tom grinned down at her and shook his head, as she looked at him. "No, it is more like five women had me. I let them work out between them who was going to be with me; at least when I was there. I spent a lot of time out doing other things, and I would be gone for long periods at a time. I still expect to be gone for long periods, from time to time." He looked at her and she nodded her head to show that she understood. It was a little while later that she broke the silence again, "Will we live with your other wives, like the Indians, in an Indian village? Will we have to become Indians too?" Tom was surprised at the question, but realized that she didn't know anything of his plans, or how she would fit into things. He considered having a little fun with her, but decided that she was probably just holding things together as it was. "No you will live in a house, in the valley to the south of the Cheyenne village. There we will raise cattle and crops. You will live like a white woman. Well, most of the time, there are things that I will expect of you just like any Cheyenne squaw, and in that there will be no discussion. If you displease me I will strip you naked, and tie you to the post in front of the house and let any man that wishes to use you do so. When I feel that you have been properly punished, I will allow you back into the house. This is how a Cheyenne teaches a lesson to a woman that is slow to learn what is expected of her." He looked at her and saw that she was looking at him to see if he was serious. He assured her that he was completely serious, and that he would do it, he suggested that she ask John if he thought that he would lie to her. She shook her head and said that she believed him. She then asked, "Would you really do that to me?" He didn't smile at her when he answered her. "Yes. I have done it before, but rarely find that I need to. A Cheyenne warrior demands little, but when it happens he expects her to obey without question and instantly. You see, each scar on a Cheyenne woman tells the world that she has displeased her man, and the more scars that she has the more shame she brings on herself. So a Cheyenne woman tries not to disobey, and not to collect scars on her body. And since the Cheyenne bath in the river, any scar on a woman's body will be seen. There are some exceptions to this, but it is the way that things are." She looked at him and he felt that she would have to think about it, but she commented quickly, "That is a very good way to do things. You know where you stand in things, and you know what is expected of you." Tom was surprised at her words, but knew that she had probably dealt with men that punished her for things that she didn't even know what she had done. It was after dinner and as they sat around the fire when Kelly asked another question, "where will your other wives live? Will they live in the Cheyenne village, or will they live in the valley with us?" Tom had not considered this, and answered her truthfully in that he didn't know the answer to the question. She seemed surprised about that, but said that since she was the new woman, and she didn't want to be the cause of any trouble. She said that any way that he wanted the living arrangement made that she would accept them. He smiled at her and knew that she was trying hard to fit into a situation that she didn't really understand. He kissed her and told her how much he appreciated her understanding. She blushed and hid her face in his chest. Tom noticed the children were listening to every word, but were trying not to look like it. He grinned to himself. He noticed when they slipped away for a while later, but pretended that he didn't. That started the way that things went for the next week, as they made their way out onto the plains. With Kelly asking questions about everything that she could think of concerning Cheyenne life, and Tom trying his best to explain how things worked. He felt that he really didn't do a good job, since most things were just accepted when they were explained to him and trying to explain the why was difficult and confusing. He found that trying to explain why you rape female captives difficult, even if you didn't want to do it in the first place. He had to explain the practice of buying and selling captives made your enemies fear you, and that made you stronger. It also showed your enemies that your captives became Cheyenne, and increased their numbers to fight their enemies with. All of the thousand details of the daily life of the Cheyenne had to be pieced into a picture that explained life that she could understand. As Kelly listened she found that life in the Cheyenne nation was simple, yet vastly complicated. She found the reason that Tom loved the life and the people. She even understood the reasons that the Cheyenne hated the white man. Even though she had never seen the remains on the great buffalo herds slaughtered on the plains, she had heard the hunters bragging about their exploits in Kansas City, and had often wondered what they did with so much meat. When she found that it was left to rot, and they were slaughtering the food of all of the Indian nations she could understand why the Indians hated the white man so much. Tom had to explain that it was more than just the slaughter of the buffalo. He explained that the Cheyenne didn't use money, and that if you needed something done you paid for it with your own labor, hunting, tanning hides or even carrying water and wood, but that was how you paid. Not with money, but the greed of the white man for gold, and land, and even the hides of the animals were the real reason that the Indians hated the white man. Kelly had a hard time understanding that there were places that money wasn't used, and the more that she listened, the more that she believed that the Indians lived the only life that man was ever intended to live. Without ever seeing it, she was falling in love with a way of life that promised hope. Tom had to remind her that it was quickly coming to an end, and that was why he was sent out into the white man's world, to make sure that they were not wiped from the face of the earth. Kelly nodded her understanding, but refused to believe that something that sounded so perfect could be destroyed. Tom explained it simply to her, "All you have to do is say Indian to a white man. He will make sure that it is destroyed. He won't stop to understand why, or to learn anything about them, he will just destroy the savages. And when he is finished doing that, he will take anything that is left lying around just because he deserves it, and there won't be anybody that will stop him, or even try to. If an Indian does try to stop him then he yells for the army and then the war starts. When it is over there will be many white men dead; and the Cheyenne will be a memory." He looked to see that Kelly understood and when he saw the tears in her eyes he knew that she more than understood. He smiled at her and gave her a hug. He also wanted to give her some hope, "So the reason that I went to Kansas City was to buy the land of the Cheyenne. If the white man comes to the Cheyenne lands I will go to the army, and they will fight for one white man against another. They must uphold the law, and that is what I will be using. So you see why I had to become a white man again. I can tell you that I would much rather be a Cheyenne warrior, and fight the white man to the last man. But like I explained, it would just end the lives of a great people, so I do what I must to save them, but I don't have to like it." Kelly looked at him again, and this time she understood much more behind the man, and found that she liked what she saw. After the wagon had stopped for the night, Tom noticed Kelly and Sara discussing something. It looked to be important from the looks on their faces, but he had decided long ago that it was best to stay out of the affairs of women. If there was something that they wanted him to know, they would tell him. He left them to their talk and helped Paul with the horses. While Kelly was preparing the dinner she called Tom over to her. She asked if they could have a little time after the evening meal when John and Ben might be doing something else, and as surprising as it was Tom said that he could send them out on errands for a few hours, but he didn't want to send them out for too long as they needed their rest. Kelly smiled and said that a few hours would be fine. She turned back to her cooking and Tom felt nervous when she began to hum a tune. Tom explained to John and Ben that Kelly wanted to discuss something, and would appreciate their not being in the camp for a few hours after the meal, and both of them got a big grin and said that they understood, and John even offered to make another camp so that they could be alone. Tom growled and said that a few hours would be enough, and turned and strode away as they snickered at his back. As soon as they had finished their dinner, John asked Ben to help him patrol for a few hours and Ben was instantly on his feet. Tom watched as they almost ran from the camp, but they couldn't hide the grins on their faces. After Kelly had cleaned up the camp she led Tom to the side of the clearing and spread some blankets. She didn't waste any time in stripping Tom from his clothes, and hers followed just as quickly. The passion in her kisses told Tom that maybe John had been right, but he sure wasn't going to complain. Once they were deeply involved in their play, Kelly suddenly asked, "Tom, can I ask you to do something for me? It might sound strange, and maybe even a little twisted, but I would really appreciate it if you would." Tom looked to see the concerned and hopeful expression on her face. He frowned as he thought about what she could want him to do, and decided that she hadn't asked for much, and unless it was something that he just couldn't do, he would try. He nodded his head and was surprised when she pushed him down and told him to stay still. He was surprised when she called Sara. He started to cover himself, but she stopped him. He had to assume that she knew what she was doing, and relaxed. Sara arrived at a run, and almost didn't manage to stop in time. Tom was concerned for some of his delicate body parts, but Kelly's sharp tongue settled her down quickly. He was surprised when Kelly settled herself down between his legs. She motioned for Sara to join her. Tom didn't know what to think, but he had said that he would try, and this didn't seem to be anything that he couldn't do, so he settled back and closed his eyes and waited to see what was going to happen. He didn't have long to wait before he felt Kelly slide his cock deep into her mouth. He wasn't surprised when she swallowed it down her throat, and slowly pulled it back out. It sent shivers down his spine. After a few more deep plunges, he was surprised to feel a different mouth suddenly engulf his cock and looked down to see Sara feeding his hard throbbing cock down her throat, at least until she gagged. The coughing and sputtering was followed by a few words of advice and encouragement from Kelly. He watched as she tried it again and saw the same result. Over and over she tried as Kelly explained things to her. She tried everything that Kelly said, but it still didn't help. They were both getting frustrated and Tom knew that this was not going well. As he watched he saw that Sara's mouth, like the rest of her was small for her age, and didn't think that she would ever be able to do it. He looked at Kelly and saw that her mouth wasn't much bigger, and it surprised him that he hadn't really noticed before. He thought about it and motioned to Kelly. She crawled up and he asked if she wanted any help. She looked at him dubiously, but said that if he had any ideas she would appreciate it. He smiled at her and told her to tell Sara not to try to swallow his cock, and to get undressed. She looked at him like she wasn't sure, but she knew in her heart that he wouldn't hurt Sara; so she turned to Sara and told her what she wanted. Sara wasted no time shucking her clothes and Tom could tell that she liked being naked. He smiled at the thought. When she was naked he pulled her around and put her legs on each side of his head, and left her still sucking his cock. It had gotten harder and she was still sucking just what she could get in her mouth, which wasn't too much more than the head. Tom smiled at Kelly as he bent his head and took the first soft lick. Sara gasped around his cock and froze. He followed up his first lick with another ending at her large protruding pleasure nub, and quickly sucked it into his mouth. Sara moaned as her eyes closed, but she sucked harder on his cock. Tom lashed her sensitive clit and had to hold her still to keep contact with her wiggling little frame. She continued to suck harder on his cock, moaning her pleasure as the new sensations raced through her small body. When Tom released her clit and moved up to the small entrance, he found that he could push his tongue all the way to her delicate maidenhead. He thought that it wasn't very deep in her body and began to push against it with his tongue. Sara growled and suddenly rammed her head forward swallowing his cock until her lips were sucking at his balls. Tom thought that she was trying to get those in her mouth as well, but he hadn't heard her gagging. He did hear Kelly telling her that she had to take it out and breath, and he felt it slide from her hot, tight throat. When it cleared her throat Tom heard a large gasp of breath and suddenly she rammed it hard down her throat again. Tom hoped that she wasn't hurting herself as he slipped back down to her throbbing clit. When he sucked it back into his mouth Sara started bucking her hips against his face and Tom held on for all that he was worth. When she finally stopped thrashing her hips, Tom let her hard little love button slip from his mouth with a final kiss that made her jump. Sara eased his cock back out of her throat, and Tom wondered if she had taken a breath the whole time that her body screamed its release. He heard her gasping for air, but he felt his cock never leave her mouth. He was impressed when she began a slow hard driving rhythm down her throat and back into her mouth. Tom knew that he wasn't going to last long as she speeded up her actions and sucked harder. Tom motioned to Kelly and she knew what he meant. She leaned over and whispered to Sara. Sara let his cock slip from her throat, but kept it in her mouth as she sucked harder. Kelly kept whispering to her as Tom passed the point of no return and groaned his pleasure. Sara sucked even harder as his hot spunk blasted from his cock and she eagerly sucked it down her throat. Tom leaned up and buried his tongue deep in her hot pussy, searching for what he knew what there. He sucked hard and found his mouth filled with the hot gooey richness of her girl cum. As the last dribbles of his eruption drained into her mouth Tom's head fell back to the ground, his mouth savoring the sweet honey that it held. Kelly's sharp voice jolted him to alertness as he looked to see Sara lowering herself onto his still stiff erection. Tom had not even realized that she had moved, but now watched as Kelly admonished her for stepping over the bounds that she had set. Sara hung her head when Kelly sent her back to her blankets. Tom watched as she left. Tom grabbed Kelly by the hair and pulled her to him for a kiss. As her hot little tongue entered his mouth Tom watched as she suddenly realized what he still had in there. He watched as her eyes closed and she sucked his mouth greedily taking everything that she could get. Tom knew that this was not the first time that she had tasted this specific pleasure, but he doubted that she had ever tasted anything as sweet as what he now had. Her passions flared and she mounted his still hard cock. Tom watched as she rode him to one mind shattering orgasm after the next. When her body couldn't move any more he rolled her over and started driving hard and deep into her body. She never seemed to come down from her orgasm, as another peaked when she started to come down from the last. He drove hard and fast, and she screamed until she was hoarse. When he fired his load deep into her clinching body she suddenly collapsed, gasping for breath. Tom was breathing hard also as he lowered himself beside her. When he looked he saw Sara kneeling beside a bush with her hands between her legs and a dreamy expression on her face. He pulled a blanket over them as she snuggled into his arms. He didn't know when John and Ben came back into the camp, or see the smirking expressions on their faces. He didn't know that Kelly could be heard a lot farther away than either of them had gone. He didn't know any of this as he drifted into sleep. When Tom rose the next morning and washed it was just starting to get light. He looked over to see Kelly stretch and roll out of the blankets. When he looked at her he saw something that he had seen before. He shook his head and knew that there were two women that had a lot in common, and he hoped that the village would be able to get some sleep when he had to handle both of them in a single night. When she stopped to wash up before she got dressed she gave him a passionate kiss and giggled as she walked away. Tom was glad that he didn't understand anything about women, because he was sure that it would be much to complex a thing to even think about. He shook his head as he moved to get breakfast started. He noticed that the kids were slipping away a lot more often, but saw no reason to point it out to Kelly. He was sure that she saw as much as he did, now that she knew what was going on. The kids still sat with them every night at the fire. Tom was amused that Sara now wiggled a lot when sitting in his lap, at least until Kelly swatted her butt. Tom knew that it didn't hurt her, but she always settled down to cuddle, once she made Kelly put a stop to it. Tom was sure that if Kelly didn't say anything, Sara would take her games the whole distance. Once again things settled down into a routine, and the trip continued. After another three weeks of the slow wagon's progress they were getting close to the mountains. Tom sent John out to meet with the Cheyenne warriors patrolling the approach to the mountains. John returned after dark and brought three warriors with him. They sat respectfully at the fire and shared Tom's food. Even as much as Kelly had been expecting something like this she still found that the presence of the Indians, dressed like Indians, caused her some initial panic. She did her best to pretend, and she knew that she didn't do very well, but once she was around them and watched them she understood that no matter how they looked they were still just men. She also noticed that they were all very respectful and she remembered that Tom was the son of the Chief, and she thought that this chief must be a very fearsome man. She remembered many of the things that Tom had told her of how Cheyenne women acted, and what was expected. She didn't want to insult these men, or make Tom look bad in front of them. She tried to show that she was worthy of Tom's faith in choosing her. She kept the children quiet and away from the fire as they talked. When Tom called her and the children over and introduced them to the men she did her best at pronouncing their names and it brought smiles to their lips, but she could tell that they appreciated that she tried. One of the men stood and spoke in English. It wasn't very good, but she knew that he was giving her a great honor to even try. "He has picked good. You will make him happy to be in his lodge." He then turned his attention to Tom and said something else, and Tom just hung his head and walked away as the men laughed and rose from the fire. Kelly watched them laugh all the way out of the camp, and when she looked at Tom he was coming back from the wagon carrying his blankets. She asked if she had embarrassed him and he looked confused for a minute. He suddenly seemed to understand, "Oh no. That wasn't about you at all. They were making a joke about me, one that is getting old and I am tired of hearing about it." He turned and spread his blankets on the ground and quietly slay down to watch the fire. Kelly still didn't know what to think, but got the children into their own blankets. When Ben walked by the wagon she pulled him aside and asked what the men had said to upset Tom. He looked at Tom and thought for a minute, then told her, "They said that as happy as they were to see him, they would miss getting their sleep." When Kelly said that she didn't understand what that meant he shrugged his shoulders and shook his head, before going to put his own blankets by the fire. She then saw John settle himself down as well and knew that they would not be patrolling this night and realized that the three Indians that she had seen leave were probably all around them. She felt safe, but there was still something inside her that feared these Indians. She woke in the night to see Tom sitting and Talking with the same young man that had spoken to her earlier. They seemed deeply involved in their conversation and she knew that they were speaking Cheyenne. She knew that she shouldn't, but she rose from her blankets and went to sit beside Tom, when she wrapped her arm around him and leaned against his arm she noticed that the Indian smiled at her. She smiled back and closed her eyes and just listened to them talk. She noticed when the talk changed. They spoke only loud enough for their voices to carry to each other. She knew that this was different, and when she looked she knew that this was something personal between them. When she looked at the young man she saw the love in his eyes for Tom and knew that this was more than just another Cheyenne warrior. She knew that this man would gladly give his life for Tom, without being asked. She knew what he felt. She didn't know when she had begun to feel that way herself, but it didn't surprise her that she did. She thought that Tom was like that, there was just something about him that you couldn't stop yourself from loving, and when you loved Tom, you loved him completely. When their eyes met, she knew that they both understood each other completely, and she nodded to him and he understood. She found that she didn't care about the fact that these were Indians, they were much more and it went beyond anything as trivial as what they looked like, or dressed like. She wished that she could tell him how she felt and they could talk about the man that they both loved, she knew that this man would understand her completely. She woke with a start to find herself asleep in Tom's arms, by the fire. There was no sign of the other young man, and she was sorry that she had fallen asleep. She liked watching and listening to them. After looking that the children were okay, she settled herself back down into Tom's arms and drifted back to sleep. The next morning Kelly insisted that Tom teach them all Cheyenne. Tom couldn't understand her desire, or even see the need but when she continued to insist, even after Tom telling her no, he had to admit that this was one of those things that even if he said no, she would find a way to learn herself. He began, and Kelly called both of the children to the front of the wagon as he began his lessons. Tom found that it made the day go faster and the children learned quickly. Kelly didn't learn as fast, but she tried harder, so he kept at it. Each day was filled with teaching and riding in the slow wagon. She felt when Tom was becoming distracted and knew that they were getting close. He kept looking ahead expectantly. She found that it was contagious and they all began doing it. When the pass of the valley came into view she felt Tom give a sigh of relief. She couldn't believe the fence that ran across the narrow entrance to the valley. It was tall and sturdy. Tom examined it along the whole length before he turned the wagon through the small gate. John made sure that it was secured after they went through. Kelly saw the rough trail and wondered why there was a fence when each side looked exactly the same; woods and forest didn't need a fence. After a time she noticed that the woods were thinning out and the farther that they traveled the less trees she saw. Suddenly there were almost no trees and she could see men working in the distance to cut down trees, working their way across the entire valley. She watched as they moved farther and saw the area that had been cleared, and saw men, women and even children working to pull stumps and turn the soil. From that point she saw the open land and knew it to be farm land; ready for the plow. She marveled at the size, she assumed from what Tom had said that it went all the way to the other mountain in the distance. He had said that it was five miles away, and didn't doubt his word. Kelly didn't see the house until they were almost on top of it. It was set back into the side of the mountain, blocked from the sun and rain. She knew that it would stay cool, but that they would need lanterns most of the time because the sun would only be able to shine in from dawn until about noon. It would get dark fast once the sun went down, but in the winter it would also be protected for the fierce snow storms. She could see the advantages of building it where he had. She told him that it was a good house, but he didn't seem concerned about it. She could tell that there were other things on his mind. She didn't say anything when he rolled past the house and barn and kept going deeper into the valley. When they came on the next fence she gasped as she saw that it spanned the entire valley. Tom opened a small gate and led the wagon through before shutting it again. In the distance she saw cattle grazing and knew that there was a big herd. Tom said that there was only about a hundred and fifty head, but that by the following summer it should be close to double that. She began to see Tom's plan; crops, cattle and storage barns. She could see that they could feed a small town and knew that he was planning to do just that. Her respect for him grew with each thing that she saw, and she knew that she had not given him enough credit for his plans. They were long and slow, but would last for many years, and in the end she could see that it was the only way that he could save the Cheyenne people from the white man. She wondered where they were going until she saw again the mouth cut into the mountain. She watched as Tom drove the wagon straight into the opening and turned it so that it could be unloaded. She watched as a man came out to greet Tom. He looked like a white man, and she wondered why he was there. Tom gasped when he saw the man and started talking in rapid Cheyenne. "Running Deer, what happened to your hair, and why are you wearing white man's clothes?" Running Deer grinned and ran his hand through his very short cropped hair. He brought his hand away and sweat dropped from it. He said slowly, "Working a forge is hot work and you only have to fall from the heat once to see that hair is not important. If Fighting Hawk can cut his hair and live the life of a white man, so can Running Deer, and the clothes help to stop the hot pieces of metal from burning the skin. I guess that the white man is not as stupid as we imagined him to be. His clothes and hair have their reasons." He grinned at Tom, and Tom smiled at him as he hugged him in greeting. Running Deer almost had a fit over the things that Tom had brought for him. He glowed as he admired the anvil. When he saw the other things that Tom uncovered in the wagon he ran to them and examined each one lovingly. Kelly was surprised when he hugged an automated bellows to his chest and almost cried. She couldn't understand it, but she accepted that there were things that were beyond her. (Authors note: An Automated Bellows is a mechanism operated by two attached water drums with a reservoir. The weight of the water will compress the bellows, and then dump into the reservoir. With the application of a fulcrum and some levers the second drum is lifted as the first comes down. It uses a small movement to raise the bellows by the application of a second lever. The top drum then empties into the lower drum before lowering to be filled from the reservoir. The lower Drum will now provide the weight to compress the bellows and restart the process.) Running Deer called into the cave mouth and soon there were others coming to unload the wagon. She saw that they were all dressed like Running Deer, and each had hair just as short. When Tom asked about the men, Running Deer explained that Little Fox was his helper and apprentice in the smith, and the others had volunteered to work in the mountain digging out iron ore for his smithy. He gave a grunt and said that it was slow going to get enough ore to work the forge as they couldn't go more than ten feet without running into more of the damn yellow iron. It was too soft to do anything with, and it weighed too much, but Gray Eagle had told them that it was valuable to the white man. He also said that Tom could use it to help the Cheyenne, so Running Deer had been melting it down and putting it into bricks. He said the he had some of the children using the clay and making forms around a block of wood. Then he would put the forms in the forge and bake them until they were hard. After they cooled he filled them with the yellow iron and once they cooled back down he just broke the clay form and had a brick of the yellow iron. He led Tom back into the mouth of the tunnels and tom stared at the stack of gold bricks as tall as his waist and at least six feet deep. He realized that he was probably looking at enough gold to buy all of the Kansas territory. Even though he knew that they wouldn't sell it, the thought still amused him. He told Running Deer that he would like to have his workers to dig another tunnel and to put all of the gold in the tunnel, and to have Running Deer mount a door on it. When he looked confused Tom explained, "If even a whisper of this yellow iron reaches the ears of a white man there wouldn't be anyone left alive after they come for it. It is better that no one can see it, then they couldn't tell about it." Running Deer looked thoughtful for a moment and said that he would see that it was done. Before Tom left he had the seeds unloaded. He knew that Black Otter would have one of the people working in the fields planting them soon. When Tom turned the wagon back toward the house the sun had started to slip behind the mountain. It would soon be dark and he wanted to get an early start the next day, as there were people that he needed to see. Kelly and the children were amazed at the house. They had never seen anything so large or built so well. He watched them as they looked through the rooms, with wonder on their faces. He shook his head as he headed to the kitchen and started to prepare the evening meal. It was only a short time later that Kelly realized what he was doing and rushed in, to run him out of the kitchen. ------- Chapter 19: What was shall be Tom had visited with Gray Eagle and showed him the deed and explained the area that it represented. Gray Eagle was happy with the purchase, and Tom felt the he looked better than he had in a long time. His laughter came easy, and he found many things to smile at. Tom felt good. Tom told Gray Eagle that he would have the Deed kept with the gold in the tunnels of the mountain. When Gray Eagle asked why it was to be kept there. He smiled and said, "No Indian would care about either, and no white man would waste his time looking for papers with so much gold to be had." Gray Eagle laughed and said that it was good that his son was home, and that he had been missed. Tom smiled at his parents before he turned to leave. He visited each of the people working in the valley. He was shown the work that they had done, and he saw the pride in their faces. He praised each one for the good work, and told them that they worked to make all of the Cheyenne people safe. Tom saw that many of the old men had moved their lodges into the valley to be close to the work. He saw that many were getting around much better than they had been before, and their heads were held high once again. They were doing important work. Even old Pony Walk helped the young men butcher the kills and tanned the hides. He didn't have to move around too much and his work was important. The words of these men once again carried weight, and they enjoyed the feelings of again helping the tribe. Tom was impressed with the hides that Pony Walk was tanning, even though he was the best in the village, these were even better then he usually did. Tom told him how much he liked his work and Pony Walk beamed with pride. When Tom turned to leave Pony Walk called to him, he had a serious expression on his old weathered face. "Long ago, I was war chief of the Cheyenne. I looked at the old warriors of the village, and said that they were useless, but I gave them meat for their cook pots. When I was too old to be war chief I was still a good hunter and warrior, I helped the Cheyenne be strong and we made our enemies shake in fear. Now I am old, and Fighting Hawk is war chief of the Cheyenne. He looks at the old warriors and says they are not useless, and he gives us work that we can once again make our people strong. I wish I had been as good a war chief as Fighting Hawk." Tom looked at Pony Walk, and he could see the regret of the decisions that he had made in his life. Tom knew that every man had those regrets. He smiled and said softly, "I hope that I grow to be as wise as Pony Walk." He clasped the old man's shoulders and left quietly. The days passed slowly, but Tom knew that he had to be seen by every man, woman and child. They were working hard because he said that they had to do this, and he wanted them to see that he appreciated their work. He talked with each one, and listened to them. Some had ideas to get the work done better. He knew that some of them were impractical, but others sounded like very good ideas. He decided that the warriors directing the work needed to pay more attention to the ideas, and he decided to have a talk with each of them. After Tom had made his rounds of all of the people, he could be found sitting on the steps of his house. One look at him and the people were hesitant to disturb him. He was always lost in thought, and they didn't want to intrude on his thoughts. Big Cloud came and went often, working on the things that Tom wanted done. He didn't think twice about interrupting him. He knew what he was thinking about, and knew that Tom treasured any distraction. Big Cloud knew that Tom had not seen Moon Flower and Little Mule since he had been back. He also knew that they would not come to him unless he sent for them. He knew that Tom was still trying to work out how each of the women and children needed to fit into his life. He was having a hard time trying to decide how this was to be done, and to be fair to everybody. He was at a loss. Tom stretched when he woke. Even though he still hadn't managed to sleep in the bed, he did at least sleep in the room. The floor was comfortable with his blankets. He looked at the fluffy bed where Kelly had slept and knew that she was already up. He knew that he was sleeping much too late these days. He went to see what she had for breakfast. He found her in the kitchen. She was doing this and that, while Sara jumped at her orders. Paul move a lot slower, but he still did what she told him. When Tom saw that one of Running Deer's helpers was jumping to her orders he felt a little confused as to why he would even be there. Tom watched Kelly command her kitchen like a war chief during a battle, and he smiled. The smile vanished when she turned around and he saw the gold broach on her dress, and the necklace around her neck. Fury raged through him and he stormed into the room and grabbed Kelly by the hair. She screamed and Paul got up, but a look at Tom's eyes froze him in place. He ordered the children out of the house, and to wait for him by the barn. He went to the library and dragged Kelly behind him. She screamed and flailed the entire way. When he got there he turned and slapped her hard. She went down in a heap. He pulled her to her feet and yanked the necklace from her neck, the broach followed and her dress ripped from the neck to the waist before the pin gave and it came away in his hand. He threw them on the floor and slapped her. When she was there he told her, "Get the jewelry and put it back where you found it. You had no right to take it in the first place. I told you that the chest was never to be opened. What do you do? Not only open it, but take jewelry from the chest. Put it back!" He trembled with rage, and she quickly took the key and opened the chest. She threw the things back in, slammed the lid and locked the chest. She turned to offer the key to Tom. The look in his eyes frightened her more than the violence that he had shown. He told her to put it back where she found it, and she put the key back on the top of the chest. She swallowed hard as she turned to face him again. When she started to say something, his hand shot out and slapped her again. She waited without speaking. She realized that there really wasn't much that she could say. She had done the one thing that he had said not to, and there wasn't anything that she could say to make it any better. She really didn't think that with all of that jewelry that he would mind if she took just a couple of little things, but now she saw that he did. Tom grabbed her by the hair again. He pulled her to her feet and dragged her outside. He pulled her to the barn, and the children watched as he shoved her roughly inside. He took a length of rope and fashioned a noose. Kelly was afraid and started to run. Tom calmly slapped her when she tried to get by him. He slipped the noose around her neck and it started to tighten. Kelly felt panic, but she couldn't get the thing to loosen up. Tom smiled at her and gave the rope a pull. It tightened even further and suddenly she couldn't breathe. She looked at him in fear and when he let the rope go slack she could breathe again. She gasped air. Tom led her out of the barn and told the children to come with him. Tom set a brisk pace as he set off across the valley. Kelly soon found out that if she wanted to keep breathing that she had better keep a firm hold on the rope. Kelly grew tired before the others and her grip on the rope slackened, but when she slipped and fell Tom didn't stop and just dragged her by the rope. Without air she quickly found the energy to get back on her feet and get some slack on the rope. She was careful not to fall again, even though she felt bone tired. Tom couldn't believe it, it wasn't even four miles to the end of the valley and she was gasping and panting like an overloaded plow horse before they were half way there. He knew that if he didn't slow down she would fall again, and he would have to drag her until she passed out. Since the children weren't doing much better, he decided to use them as an excuse. He adjusted his speed to the children. By the time that they reached the end of the valley Kelly could barely stand, and the children were panting like old dogs on a hot day. Tom stopped and told them that they could rest for five minutes. They all dropped where they were. Kelly started to speak and Tom tightened the rope. He growled that there was nothing that she could say that he wanted to listen to. Tears streamed down her cheeks, but he steeled himself and continued to wait. When he was sure that five minutes had passed he said that it was time to go. He didn't look back when he turned to leave. The rope tightened for a second before there was slack once more. Thirty minutes later they were walking into the Cheyenne village. Many people looked at him, but when they saw his face they decided better then to speak. Some waved, but weren't surprised when he didn't respond. The children were staying close to his side. They were afraid of the sudden change of everything that they had known. He didn't give a thought to them; he could sense exactly where they were and knew that they were safe. Moon Flower and Little Mule saw him coming and they started to go to him. When they saw his face they stopped and waited for him to come to the lodge. When he got there he handed the rope to Moon Flower, and spoke in English to Little Mule. "You will tell Moon Flower all that I say. This is my wife, and these are my children. I have chosen them, it was my choice. She has disobeyed and insulted me. I will leave her punishment to you. Be warned that she is carrying a baby. I will no longer speak to her until she can speak the Cheyenne language, and knows the ways of the Cheyenne. You both are responsible to see that she learns, as well as the girl. The girl has not displeased me, and is not to be punished. I will speak to each of you when you get things settled here." Tom went into his lodge, and removed his clothes. As he put on his deer skin britches he felt more human than he had in a long time. His moccasins felt good on his feet, not like the hard boots, and he began to feel at home once again. He heard loud cries outside the lodge more than once, but he ignored it. He knew that his women could handle anything that might come up. Fighting Hawk sat by the small fire and cleared his mind. He felt good for the first time in many months. He relaxed and let the tension leave his body. He heard the lodge flaps and knew that he was not alone. Even without looking he knew that it was Moon Flower. Her scent was as clear as if she had spoken. Without opening his eyes he motioned for her to sit and he waited until she was quiet before he opened his eyes to look at her. He saw the fear and concern in her eyes. "What troubles you, Moon Flower?" He smiled at her and he saw her relax. "Fighting Hawk has returned to us, for a time; but, what of Fighting Hawk's women?" Fighting Hawk smiled at her directness, he missed that. She never wasted her words. He answered her truthfully. "Fighting Hawk's women still serve Fighting Hawk. I had my reasons for taking this woman, but it does not change the way that I feel toward you. I will always feel the same way. So no matter what else happens, you can always know that you will be Fighting Hawk's women. At least until you come to me, and ask not to be my woman." He looked at her and saw the relief in her eyes. When he held out his arms she jumped into them, and he kissed her passionately. When Moon Flower came out of the lodge Little Mule looked at her, and all of her questions and anxiety vanished. The look on her face told her everything that she wanted to know. Moon Flower came to her where she was applying a good solid stick to the tied form of Kelly. She had made it very clear to Kelly, that to insult Fighting Hawk was more of an insult then she could bear, and that Kelly would pay for that mistake for some time. Moon Flower whispered to her, "Fighting Hawk would like to hold his Little Mule in his arms again. Shall I take care of this for you?" Little Mule shoved the stick in her hands and ran into the lodge. She surprised Fighting Hawk when she burst into the lodge and dove on him. She covered his face with kisses, until she came to his mouth, then she settled there to explore every inch. When she rose up and looked at him he saw the glow in her face and knew that she was happy. He smiled at her and pulled her back down for another kiss. That night Fighting Hawk and his women walked through the village, leading the children. They went to the river to wash. Once they got to the river, the river was suddenly crowded. It seemed that everyone in the village needed to take their bath. Fighting Hawk was sure that there were a few wet heads heading to the river, but thought nothing of it. Everybody greeted them, and wanted to visit. Sara and Paul were introduced, and Moon Flower explained that Kelly was unable to attend as she was tied to the lodge post, after disobeying and insulting Fighting Hawk. He watched many of the women's faces and wondered if Moon Flower had just made Kelly's life a living hell. Even though Fighting Hawk didn't have anything personally to do with any of these women, it appeared that it was not something that was wise to admit in their circles. Once again he admitted that it was woman's business, and he didn't have any business getting involved. As they sat and dried, the village chatter continued. One by one each of them made their way back to their own lodges. Moon Flower and Little Mule basked in the glow of the evening, the company and Fighting Hawk. Sara and Paul tried to absorb it all, but it was just too much. Things were just too different, but they did well to accept things as they were. When they got back to the lodge Kelly looked a little worse for wear, but nothing that that would be permanent. When she tried to apologize to Fighting Hawk he spoke softly to her, where only she could hear. "I told you once what would happen if you ever displeased me. Now you know the truth. The longer that you fight it, the longer you will be tied to that pole; so how you handle things will depend on you." He straightened and went into the lodge. Sara and Paul were shown their blankets. Moon Flower and Little Mule wasted no time dropping their clothes and crawling into bed with Fighting Hawk. Fighting Hawk knew that Sara and Paul didn't get to sleep before they did, and he assumed that most of the village didn't either. He expected the usual smirks and comments in the morning, but really didn't care. Not as long as his women were happy, and that was one thing that he was pretty sure of; they were happy. When Fighting Hawk stepped from the lodge he stretched, it felt good to be back in the village. He looked to see Kelly watching him. He saw that she didn't have a very good night, but when she didn't complain or even try to talk to him, he nodded and strode to the horses. It was a couple of hours later that Fighting Hawk returned with a large Buck. Moon Flower smiled and kissed him before cutting the deer from the horse and tying it to the butchering poles. He noticed that it looked to have been some time since anything had been hung there. When he asked, Moon Flower smiled and said that they had not gone hungry, as Fighting Hawk had many friends. She also said that Big Cloud's young hunters loved to do things for Fighting Hawk, as each of them wanted to be just like him. Fighting Hawk smiled and shook his head. When he walked away Paul asked if he could talk to him. Fighting Hawk nodded and led the way out of the village and into the woods. There he sat and motioned for Paul to sit beside him. Paul was quick to say what was on his mind, "Why are you treating maw like that? Did she do something, or do you just wanna be with those other women?" Fighting Hawk considered the question for a minute before he said, "I think that you said that you weren't a kid any more. So, I won't treat you like one; I will tell you the truth. In the house there is a room full of books; that is called a library. In there is a chest. It is locked and I told your mother that it was the one thing that she was never to touch. The other morning she was wearing a necklace and a broach. Those things she got out of that chest. I told her once what I would do to her if she ever displeased me. I am sure that she thought that it is some kind of a joke, but I think that you can see that I was very serious. If you wander around the village you will see a post just like the one that your mother is tied to in front of each lodge. That is a way of punishment here for women. And since you brought up the question of the other women, I will tell you that they are my wives. You mother knew about them and she chose to share me with them. So you see there isn't anything happening that she didn't know about and even choose. I am sure that she will regret her choices from time to time, but when you make a choice, you have to live up to it." Fighting Hawk looked at Paul and waited for him to speak. When Paul spoke it was slow and thoughtful, "If maw really did that, then I guess that she got what she deserved; you did warn her. But, I never would have thought that maw would do something like that." Fighting Hawk thought for a minute and said, "I don't want you thinking that I would ever tell you a lie. When we get back I want you to talk to Kelly and ask her about everything that I told you. Make sure that what I am telling you is the truth. You have to understand that you are looking at things that you don't understand. Don't judge anything that you don't understand too harshly. At least until you know all of the facts." Paul nodded his head and rose. Fighting Hawk guessed that he had gotten what he wanted and rose to walk back to the village with him. He did see that Paul looked at every lodge as he went. He was even surprised to see another woman tied to another post. When Paul got back, he sat beside the post and asked Kelly some pointed questions. She hedged a few times, but in the end she admitted the truth. She was not willing to tell a lie. Fighting Hawk sat inside the lodge and could hear her answers. He don't know if she knew that he could hear her, or if she thought that Paul would tell him what she said, but he had to admit that it probably hurt her to have her son know the truth. He gave her some credit for that. That night was much like the last. There were just as many people at the river, and just as much gossip and visiting. Fighting Hawk wasn't used to all of the attention, but endured it was well as he could. As the previous night, they were almost the last to leave. Fighting Hawk thought that it was more for Moon Flower and Little Mule. He knew that they were enjoying themselves. That night was also much like the last in respect that there was a lot of play in the lodge, and not much sleep. The next morning Fighting Hawk was up with the sun. He rode out to go hunting. He rode to the next valley, as fall was fast approaching, and he didn't want to take too much game from the village hunters. He was still back before noon. When he slipped from his horse he called Moon Flower and Little Mule together. He explained that he was going to take Paul hunting, and that he would be gone all winter. He saw the disappointed faces on the women, but knew that it couldn't be helped. He explained that he wanted them to teach Kelly and Sara how to be Cheyenne women. He told them that he expected them to learn the language and how to do all of the things that were expected of them. They listened and assured him that they would do a good job. He smiled and kissed each of them. That night Fighting Hawk told Paul that they would be going on a long hunting trip. He said that they would be leaving the next morning. After their bath he handed Paul soft deer skin britches and a pair of moccasins. He explained that Moon Flower had made them for him. He didn't know what to say and stuttered his thanks. Little Mule translated the words and Moon Flower beamed as he kissed him on the cheek. Paul blushed and Sara giggled. ------- Chapter 20: The Hunters The next morning Fighting Hawk and Paul left the village with the first rays of the sun. All they carried was their knife. Fighting Hawk started his lessons as soon as they had left the village. Tracking and catching his first small game was his first lesson. Fighting Hawk wondered if he had been this bad when Gray Eagle had led him from the village so many years ago. He hoped that they didn't starve. By the end of the first month, Paul could hunt any small game and they managed to put some of the weight back on that they had lost. Fighting Hawk thought that Paul had grown at least three inches and his britches seemed to agree. He knew that they would have to hunt something bigger before he grew out of them. So, Fighting Hawk taught him to make his first bow and how to fletch arrows. His first arrow was as poor as any that Fighting Hawk had ever seen, but within a week they were reasonable enough to at least hit what he was shooting at. Paul hated chasing the arrows that he missed, but he learned that if he hit what he was shooting at, then he didn't have to hunt for it. By the end of the second month Paul was wearing a new set of deer skin britches. He had killed the deer, skinned it, tanned the hide and even stitched the britches. He complained that it was woman's work, but Fighting Hawk pointed out that when they were out hunting there were no women to do the work, and he had better get used to doing all kinds of woman's work. With their packs, made from many different small animals, filled with jerked deer they set out deeper into the mountains. Fighting Hawk began his lessons with the knife. Paul found that even a wooden knife was dangerous when he ended up with cuts and wounds on his body. He was so tired each day that he fell asleep eating his evening meal. Fighting Hawk smiled when he remembered how he had done the same thing. They hunted a few more deer and prepared for winter. Fighting Hawk led them to a ravine and Paul watched as he worked skins over the rocks and made them a shelter. It was still cold, but it would keep the wind and snow outside. They hunted elk and made blankets and jerked the meat. During the day they practiced with the knife. Paul had learned the language quickly and rarely reverted to English. In the evenings they sat around their small fire and talked. They talked about what it means to be a man, and Fighting Hawk explained that anybody can talk like a man, but it is your actions that make you a man. Paul learned the lessons that Fighting Hawk had learned. He asked the same questions and he made the same mistakes. He learned hard lessons and he grew to understand the simple truths that make a man. He listened to Fighting Hawk when he told him about pleasing a woman, and the responsibilities that went with being a man. He didn't understand why he couldn't use any woman that he pleased. Fighting Hawk knew that this came from how he had been raised, and the things that he had seen since the day he was born. He tried to explain that it was how responsible men acted. When a man loved a woman, then he should care about her pleasure, and not just his own. If he cared only for his own pleasure his own hand would do better. Paul had to think about it for a long time before he began to see what Fighting Hawk was driving at. Paul improved with is use of the knife, and when the wooden knifes were thrown away and they began to use real knives, he learned the control that he needed. Fighting Hawk taught him that control was the most important thing. Paul lived with a knife in his hand every minute for more than a month. He knew the feel, weight, texture and even the smell of the knife. He learned to throw and hit what he was aiming at, as well as killing large game with his knife. It was hard for him to understand that a knife was the most powerful weapon that he could ever have. When he killed his first elk with his knife he looked at Fighting Hawk and said, "With a knife I can kill my enemies, hunt and eat, get clothes and even make other weapons. I think that I understand; with a knife I can do anything." Fighting Hawk smiled and nodded his head. Paul had seen a basic truth of the Cheyenne. After the Elk was cleaned, the hide tanned and the meat smoked they disassembled their little shelter and headed deeper into the mountains. The snows of winter made travel slow and hard. They were often cold and Paul thought that they were going to freeze, but Fighting Hawk knew that they would survive. He needed to show Paul the same thing. Each night Fighting Hawk showed Paul how to pick a camp site, and how to set up their little shelter. Each time it was easier. Soon Paul was picking the sites and setting up the shelter alone. Fighting Hawk sent him out to hunt small game, and Paul returned with rabbits. They cooked them over their small fire and enjoyed fresh meat. Deep in the mountains they found a small cave. Fighting Hawk and Paul used their shelter skins to seal the cave mouth. They decided to stay for a while and hunt more game and smoke more meat before they moved on. Fighting Hawk was glad to see that Paul was adapting so well. It was a week later that they heard a strange sound. Fighting Hawk knew instantly what it was and motioned for Paul to stay where he was. Fighting Hawk slipped back into the darkness of the cave and waited. It was only a few seconds later that the man tore open the shelter hides and stumbled in. He had a crazed expression on his face and he kept waving his pistol around. Fighting Hawk silently pulled his bow and waited to see what Paul would do. The man demanded food and grabbed it from Paul's hands. He stuffed the meat in his mouth and tried to talk at the same time. He demanded the deer skin blanket that Paul was wrapped in. Paul just looked at him, pretending not to understand. The man motioned with his hands and then just reached over and grabbed it. As it came off of Paul's shoulders and slid over her head, Paul's knife went up and lodged itself into his stomach, just below the ribs and pointing to his heart. He looked down with a stupid expression on his face as Paul twisted the knife and pulled it from his stomach. The man fell where he stood. Fighting Hawk cautiously stepped forward, but didn't lower the bow. Paul watched Fighting Hawk ease the bow and sit it down. He watched as Fighting Hawk took the man and shoved him out the cave mouth and over the side of the mountain. They had to work to repair the damage done to their shelter skins, but soon the cold was once again outside. They sat back down at the fire and Paul spoke, "You knew what was going to happen. You left me to kill him, or to be killed." Fighting Hawk looked at Paul before he said. "I was watching, and I had my bow ready. If there was any real danger I would have killed him before you were hurt. As far as killing him, well there are times that you have to kill and you needed to learn that lesson too. He was going to take what he wanted from you and probably kill you after he did. If you weren't willing to kill him to save your own life I have not taught you how to survive very well." Paul smiled and shook his head. "No, you taught me how to survive very well. I didn't feel a thing when I killed a man, and I should have." Fighting Hawk knew that Paul was upset, but all he could do was to tell him the truth. "That was not a man. That was an animal that walked on two legs, just like a bear. A man doesn't crash in here and steal your food, and your blankets at gun point. He acts like a man; that was just another animal." Paul looked at him. He thought for a while before he said, "Do the Cheyenne think so little for life that they can kill so easily?" Fighting Hawk was surprised. His look expressed that to Paul, when he said, "If you want to get right down to it, most Indians respect life much more than most white men. A white man prefers to kill with a gun. That way he can do it from a long ways away and never have to see the face of his enemy, or to look into his eyes. A white man will kill for money, love, desire or just to take whatever he wants. An Indian will kill when he has to, to protect his home, family or way of life; but not for sport or profit. Think about these things and remember the wagon ride from Kansas City. Those men came after us for money, and to rob us. If we had given them the money would they have let us go, or killed us? Think about these things and in the morning you can tell me what you think." Fighting Hawk curled up in his blankets and left Paul to work out his place in the world. Each man had to make that choice and even though it had come early to Paul, he had to make his choice. When Fighting Hawk sat up and stretched his tired muscles he saw that Paul was still sitting where he had been the night before. He looked at Fighting Hawk and said, "The men following us from Kansas City. I didn't know about all of them, but I did hear some of what you and the others talked about. If you had given them the money they would have still killed us. So if you didn't kill them they would have killed us. The man last night would have killed me, if I had not killed him. I don't know if he was an animal, he might have just been desperate, but he still would have killed me. I don't know about all white men either, just like I don't know about all Indians. Momma always said the there was good men and bad men; I think that it is true for white men and Indians. I understood what you meant about using a knife over a gun. Every time I tried to fall asleep I saw his eyes. I didn't get any sleep. I also understand what you meant when you said that if you kill with a knife it shows that you love life more, because you don't want to kill, unless you have to. I think that I understand, you kill when you have to, to protect yourself, or family, or your people, but not if you can help it. One of us was going to have to kill that man last night, and I wish that it had been you, but that is a little boys' way of thinking, and I am now a man and I will do what I have to." Fighting Hawk smiled a sad smile and said, "Yes, you are a man now. Not because you killed a man, but because you have faced your responsibilities like a man. I am sorry that the boy couldn't have lived a little longer, but life is a hard teacher." Paul nodded his head in agreement. They stayed in that cave for the rest of the winter, hunting when they needed to, and taking about life and family and responsibilities. Paul seemed to grow up before his eyes. Each day he seemed older and wiser. He faced his demons and came to terms with himself. They watched the snows melt and before they set off Fighting Hawk called Paul to him and said, "Every Cheyenne has a Cheyenne name. That name is given by their parents at birth, just like any other child, but at the summer festival a father stands his son before the tribe and names him as a man. When he names him before the tribe, he then has a name. Before that it is just a boy's name, but once named in front of the tribe, then he is a Cheyenne warrior. I will name you at the summer festival this year, and I will name you as Big Owl." Paul was shocked. He had not expected this. He had never heard anything like it. He smiled to himself and knew that even if somebody had explained it all to him, he wouldn't have understood a word. But he liked the idea of being named as a Cheyenne warrior. He felt more like a Cheyenne then he ever did as a white boy in Kansas City. Actually, he realized that he was less than white there too; there he was just a whore's son. In most places that didn't even make you human. He smiled and nodded his head and a soft 'thank you', could just be heard. As they traveled back Fighting Hawk swung wide to the East. It took another two weeks before they reached La Junta. Fighting Hawk's hair had almost grown back to where it had been the last time that he was here. Big Owl's was just as long and they both looked the part of the Cheyenne warrior. Big Owl was only a few inches shorter than Fighting Hawk. They both moved with the smooth fluid grace of a cat. The sentry stopped them and said that they weren't allowed entrance. Fighting Hawk looked at him hard and said, "Colonel said Fighting Hawk always welcome." The sentry gaped and made a couple of hand motions for them to wait and sent another soldier off at a run. Big Owl looked at Fighting Hawk with a strange expression. Fighting Hawk whispered, "Sometimes it is better that you don't speak English, or only enough that they think that they can put one over on you. They don't feel the need to talk in private, and you find out a few secrets; never give up your advantage. And remember, some of them speak Cheyenne, but they don't let you know it either." Big Owl got a smile on his face and nodded his understanding. Fighting Hawk saw the same lieutenant coming that he has seen the last time. He waited with a stony expression on his face. The lieutenant took one look at him and waved him through. The lieutenant spoke, "The Colonel's compliments and the Colonel asks that you to join him in his office." Fighting Hawk listened then walked away. He ignored the lieutenant and they went to the trading post. Once inside they traded the heavy furs that they had used all winter for a few trinkets and some candy. It was almost robbery, but they didn't have to carry the furs. Fighting Hawk saw the lieutenant bringing a small group of soldiers. He whispered, "We are going to have a little trouble, use only your hands, and don't get yourself killed." Big Owl grinned that he understood and moved to a position that would make it hard for them to get at him easily. When the soldiers came in, the lieutenant ordered the soldiers to take them. Fighting Hawk was moving before the words left his mouth. The first soldier dropped when he was hit in the head with his own rifle. Fighting Hawk used the same rifle to send two more to the floor. Big Owl kicked the first man in a place that even made Fighting Hawk wince and as the man was going down Big Owl was throwing a punch over his shoulder into the face of a surprised soldier. Fighting Hawk had his knife at the lieutenant's throat and the last man dropped his rifle. Fighting Hawk told Big Owl to kick the rifles away and to get all of them moving toward the office. After the rifles were on the other side of the trading post, Big Owl starting shoving the soldiers out the door and herding them in the direction of the office. When Fighting Hawk kicked in the Colonel's door he was sputtering with indignation, "So this is how Fighting Hawk is welcome. You allow him in the fort, and then send soldiers to take him with guns. I should have known that all you have are pretty words. You want war with the Cheyenne. I will bathe in your blood before the sun sets." Fighting Hawk saw the scout William quickly translating his words. Fighting Hawk watched the Colonel turn a pretty shade of purple before he got a tight grip on himself. He listened as the Colonel tried his best to smooth over ruffled feathers. William quickly translated the words. Fighting Hawk made a show of listening to his words with little belief. He said that actions speak louder than words, and he had seen the Colonel's actions very clearly. Fighting Hawk listened as the Colonel promised everything but his first born, and William steadfastly translated every word. Fighting Hawk seemed to soften a little, and then he suddenly reversed his knife blade and jerked it across the lieutenant's neck. The point of the blade made a hairline cut as it passed, and anyone would have thought that he had been killed with the noise that he made. The Colonel was only interested for a moment, and then shifted his attention back to Fighting Hawk as he dropped his knife back into his sheath and stood defiantly. William barely glanced at the lieutenant but the smile on his face spoke volumes to Fighting Hawk. The Colonel breathed a sigh of relief. Fighting Hawk decided that it was time to extract a price. He smirked as he said, "If the Colonel wants to convince me that this was all a big misunderstanding then I will make sure that this does not happen again. I want this idiot trained to speak Cheyenne, and to be trained as a scout. If he knows how the Cheyenne live, and how to talk to us; maybe he won't be so quick to start a war." Fighting Hawk watched as William translated the words. The saw the look of shock on the lieutenant's face and waited for the Colonel to speak. He saw an evil glint in the Colonel's eyes as he agreed to the situation. The lieutenant sputtered and said that he wouldn't do it. Fighting Hawk watched as the Colonel smiled and said that he would do it, or he could resign his commission. The lieutenant sputtered a few more times, but he didn't say anything else. William had a big smile on his face as he said that it was agreed. Fighting Hawk turned to leave, and the Colonel suddenly asked, "We have heard that Fighting was dead." Fighting Hawk slowly turned and said, "What Fighting Hawk does is not the business of the army Colonel. Fighting Hawk has been walking among the spirits of the Cheyenne war chiefs. There is much that Fighting Hawk needs to learn about making war." He turned to leave the office and didn't look back. He found that it was to his best interest to keep them wondering what he was up to, and the more nervous that they were, the better it was for the Cheyenne people. They hadn't gone more than a mile before Swift Pony caught up with them. "Fighting Hawk, it is good to see you again. I couldn't believe it when they sent me after you. I thought that you were now a white..." Fighting Hawk suddenly turned and silenced Swift Pony. He looked at him hard and said, "That is something that is only spoken of in the Cheyenne village, not here, less than a mile from the white man's fort." Swift Pony looked embarrassed, but nodded his head that he understood. He rode in silence as they walked. After a time Swift Pony Spoke to Big Owl, "Hi, my name is Swift Pony. I don't think that I know you." Big Owl looked at Swift Pony and studied him for a moment before answering him. "I am Big Owl, named by Fighting Hawk. I am his son." Swift Pony stared with his mouth hanging open. He suddenly blurted, "I challenge you!" Both Fighting Hawk and Big Owl stopped and turned to stare at Swift Pony; Fighting Hawk in disbelief, and Big Owl in confusion. Fighting Hawk turned and explained that any warrior could challenge him when he was presented at the festival, or any warrior could challenge any other warrior for no specific reason. He also made it clear that at those times, the challenge was answered with wooden knives. Only during an honor fight was the fight with a real knife and to the death. Big Owl looked at the expectant Swift Pony and nodded his acceptance. Fighting Hawk sent them to make their knives. When they were back he examined each one and pronounced them acceptable, before returning them and stepping back. "When I say the fight is over, the fight is over." They both nodded their heads. Big Owl and Swift Pony began to circle watching for openings. Each lashed out, cutting only the air and gauged the others reaction. Fighting Hawk was watching with interest as they moved closer and made more serious attacks. He heard the hoofs in the distance and knew that they would soon have company. He spoke softly so they did not react to his voice, "There are riders approaching. Ignore them and continue your fight, until I end it." He watched as Swift Pony tried a low attack, hoping to get in a cut while Big Owl was distracted. He was glad that it didn't succeed. Fighting Hawk watched William and a small band of soldiers ride up. When he saw one of the soldiers raise his rifle fighting Hawk notched an arrow and aimed it at the soldier. William saw the threat and ordered the solder to lower his weapon. When he lowered his rifle, Fighting Hawk lowered his bow. He spoke to William, "This is nothing that concerns you. Take your men and leave. When it is over I will call you." William looked at the fight, and Fighting Hawk saw the concern in his eyes, but he motioned to his men and Fighting Hawk watched as they rode back down the trail. After a respectful distance they stopped and waited. Fighting Hawk turned his attention back to the fight. It had gotten serious, there were real attacks; lunges with quick parries, and fists looking for soft places to land. Fighting Hawk watched as Swift Pony made a lunge and watched as Big Owl grabbed his wrist and pulled him forward. With the sudden shifting of weight Swift Pony found himself falling forward, and felt the sharp sting of a cut all the way down his back. He then felt the hard ground slam into his chest and face. He heard Fighting Hawk call an end to the fight. He felt a hand on his back holding him down and heard Fighting Hawk whistle at the cut. He felt the cool salve that fighting Hawk always carried. He had felt that touch before and relaxed as the sting eased out of the cut. When he was on his feet he turned to Big Owl and held out his hand. Big Owl looked at it and then took it suspiciously. Swift Pony grinned at him and said, "That was a good fight. Since Fighting Hawk will present you at the festival, there probably won't be anybody to challenge you. I think that every warrior should get to fight for the right to be a warrior, and know that he earned it. I wanted you to feel that pride." They smiled at each other and Fighting Hawk relaxed. As the boys sat and talked, Fighting Hawk waved to William waiting down the trail. When they rode up the soldiers were surprised to see Big Owl and Swift Pony sitting and laughing. Fighting Hawk saw the confused faces, and the relief on Williams face. He smiled as he sat down beside the boys and listened to them swap stories of their winter hunt. Big Owl was surprised to hear that only special boys ever went on the hunts. He had thought that it was something that all young Cheyenne boys did. Swift Pony told him that before Fighting Hawk had come to the Cheyenne he had never heard of it being done. It was only after Fighting Hawk started to teach the young men to be warriors that they started the winter hunts. He said that each boy dreams of going on the winter hunt with Big Cloud, or Fighting Hawk. He said that out of the young warriors that had gone on a winter hunt; none had ever failed to beat a challenge at a festival. There was pride in his voice when he said that he had gone with both Fighting Hawk and Big Cloud. Big Owl seemed suitably impressed. Fighting Hawk interrupted their talk and told Big Owl that it was time that they continued on their way. Swift Pony stood and clasped hands with Big Owl again and Fighting Hawk could see something of brotherhood in their eyes. Swift Pony nodded respectfully to Fighting Hawk and went to lightly spring onto his horse. He waved a goodbye and turned back toward the fort. Fighting Hawk then turned his attention to William. William seemed a little embarrassed at the situation. He cleared his throat and said, "The Colonel has sent me to escort you as far as the river again. He is still concerned about your safety." Fighting Hawk shook his head again and looked at the sky for guidance. When none came he made his own decision. "We are on a hunt, and it will be some time before we will be back in the Cheyenne village. Go back and tell the Colonel that we are fine and do not need his protection, as we are not children. If he still demands that you protect us, then you come alone. We have no need of those." He pointed to the soldiers. William made a quick decision and slipped from his horse. He gave the reins to the soldier and gave him his orders. As the soldiers rode back William picked up the few things that he had taken with him and set out with Fighting Hawk and Big Owl. They traveled quickly farther East and got close to the plains. Fighting Hawk knew that the Buffalo in that area was all but gone, and even the killing fields that he had seen last spring were gone. The thought of showing Big Owl the remains of a buffalo hunters work was small at the very best, but he hoped that there was still something that he would be able to see. They traveled south along the edge of the plains. It was William that heard the sounds first and he stiffened. Fighting Hawk turned to look at him and then heard the sound of gunfire. He quickly looked to find the direction of the shooting and knew that it came from the plains. He motioned to Big Owl and they set off at a run. They ran for most of an hour before they could see the buffalo dropping like stunned sheep. Fighting Hawk looked quickly and found the rifle smoke. He pointed it out to Big Owl and he nodded as he watched the slaughter. He turned to see William standing with his hands clenched into fists. He smiled and wondered if he cared as much as he pretended to. For most of the afternoon they watched as each buffalo dropped, and then the hunters moved in and they watched as they skinned the carcasses where they lay. Big Owl was stunned that they left the buffalo lying on the ground and turned their wagon load of hides to the North. Fighting Hawk knew that in time the hides would be in the same trading post that they were in just a few weeks ago. He watched as Big Owl was shaking with anger and resentment. He turned to Fighting Hawk and demanded that they go after the hunters. Fighting Hawk pointed to William and told him to tell the boy what would happen if they went after the hunters and killed them. William hung his head and said that it would start a war between the white men and the Indians, and he said that in the end the Indians would be destroyed. Big Owl trembled with rage as he stomped around. Fighting Hawk led him out to the field and that night they made their camp beside the slaughtered buffalo. Fighting Hawk sang the songs of grief and sorrow, and Big Owl joined in as he learned the words. They cooked the meat of the buffalo and gave thanks to the spirit of the great white buffalo. William sat in shame and made no move to join in their grief. They knew him well enough to know that he shared their views, but he still considered himself a white man. With the first light of the sun they started their long trek home. Fighting Hawk saw the fire in Big Owl's eyes now. He now understood why they fought the white man, and he knew that at that moment Big Owl only wished to be able to find the hunters; regardless of the consequences he would still kill them for what they had done. Not just to the Indians that depended on the buffalo for food, but the land around them. The small wolf packs would grow large with the extra meat, but when the meat ran out, and there were no buffalo that they could hunt, they would clean out the area of small game. Then they would turn on humans, then themselves. The hunters destroyed everything around them, and didn't care, not as long as they got their money for their hides. Fighting Hawk reminded him that it was the reason that the Indian carried a knife. Big Owl stopped for a minute before he nodded his head and said, "Yes, because it is a symbol of the love that we have for this land." Fighting Hawk smiled and clasped his arm around him. William understood the words, but not the meaning behind it, or why that should calm the young man. He knew that as much as he felt like the Indians, it was the little things like that, that kept him a white man. ------- Chapter 21: Homecoming It was almost a week later that they stood in the valley to the East of the village. Fighting Hawk suggested that they take a deer home with them, and Big Owl nodded his head in agreement. They set off to track a deer. Big Owl found his prey, and he was about to strike when Fighting Hawk stopped him. He pointed out that it was a doe and if they wanted to keep hunting deer they needed to hunt only the bucks in spring. Big Owl nodded his head and quietly left to find another deer. As they made their way to the village, the presence of William caused a stir. Fighting Hawk knew that it would not be a good idea to have him in the village and asked him to wait at the edge. He nodded his understanding and waited for Fighting Hawk to return. He did shortly leading a horse and provisions. He thanked William for his company on the hunt and said that he could give the horse to Swift Pony and he would make sure that it was returned. William nodded his thanks and gracefully leapt up onto the horses back. He looked down and spoke, "I have learned much about Fighting Hawk as we hunted. I will tell the Colonel that if war comes from Fighting Hawk, it will be deserved. Fighting Hawk is a wise and honorable war chief, and he cares much for his people." Fighting Hawk nodded his acceptance of the kind words and watched as William turned his horse and headed off to the North. Fighting Hawk and Big Owl carried the deer through the village to the lodge. When Little Mule saw them she yelled into the lodge and ran to greet them. Fighting Hawk was tired and didn't want to have to pick himself up off of the ground. He raised his hand to stop her from knocking them both down. She skidded to a stop and hugged him fiercely. Fighting Hawk felt the air rush out of his body, and hoped that she would release him before he passed out. He was glad when the others arrived, as she let him go and he gasped for breath. He looked at each of them and saw that Kelly was standing back behind the others. She seemed just as excited, but waited until he allowed her close. He said that the rest could wait until they were at the lodge, and they shouldered the deer on to the lodge. Once the deer was hanging from the butchering poles he said that it was time for a bath. It has been some time since they had a real bath. He still didn't like bathing with snow, no matter how strong it looked, he felt that it was stupid. Moon Flower quickly got them some clean clothes and they made their way to the river. Once there Fighting Hawk and Big Owl removed their clothes and waded into the water. Fighting Hawk sat down and let the water wash the blood and grime from him. Even in late spring the water was still a little cold and they didn't waste too much time in the water. Once they were sitting on the bank Fighting Hawk noticed that Sara had grown almost as much in her own way as Paul had in his. Her small breasts had started to mature and her hips had that definite female flare. Even though she wasn't much taller, she had filled out in the right places. He was amused to see that she even had sprouted a small sparse golden bush, and he noticed that she made sure that she positioned herself so that he noticed the changes. Fighting Hawk turned to Kelly and asked, "Well have you learned the ways of the Cheyenne?" He looked at her and waited for her to speak. She was quick to reply, "Yes my husband. I have disobeyed and dishonored you. You would have been right to kill me, and I thank you for allowing me to live. I will try to be a better wife to you." The sincerity in her voice was obvious, and Fighting Hawk knew that all of the women were waiting to see what he would do. He nodded his head and held out his arms to her. She was in his arms and hugging him tightly while she placed kisses over any place that she could reach. Moon Flower and Little Mule giggled at them and she stuck out her tongue at them. It only made them laugh out loud. Fighting Hawk let them play and enjoyed the fact that he was back. As Fighting Hawk led the small group back to the lodge he heard Kelly say to Paul, "Well Paul, you sure have grown. You look every bit a man, and you seem to have earned a few scars in the process." Big Owl looked at her and down at himself before he spoke, "Mother, I am now Big Owl. Soon I will be named a Cheyenne warrior. I am a man." He said these things as the facts that they were. He didn't act like a little boy, but a man. Kelly looked at him again and she studied him closely, she saw the hard glint to his eyes and the firm resolves in his jaw. She also saw the haunted expression that crept there from time to time. She nodded her head and said to him, "Yes my son, you have become a man, and I am proud that you are my son." He stopped and looked at her and softly spoke, not the Cheyenne language as they been, but in the English language that was the language of his birth. "I am very proud that you are my mother. I have never shown you the respect that you deserve. I never understood the things that you had to do to care for us. I only saw how the people treated you and us, and I hated you for that. My father, Fighting Hawk, has shown me what a man is, and has made me see what I was too blind to see with the eyes of a boy. I always wondered why he would have wanted you, or us, as a man I understand, and I hope that one day I can find a woman as brave and good as you." He had tears in his eyes, and Kelly had tears all the way down her face as he moved and wrapped his strong arms around her. Fighting Hawk led his small group away from them; standing and hugging in the middle of the village. Nobody looked at them twice as they all went about their own business. Fighting Hawk knew that Sara had heard her brother's words, and he saw the look of pride in her own eyes. He knew that his words had given her something as well. When they reached the lodge, Fighting Hawk asked Moon Flower to cut a piece of the deer for his parents. Moon Flower had Little Mule and Sara busy on the deer as she picked the best cut for Gray Eagle's lodge. Fighting Hawk smiled at her choice and nodded his agreement. When Big Owl arrived Fighting Hawk told him, "Come with me. We are going to see my parents." Big Owl was surprised but quickly got himself ready. As they sat at the cook fire Fighting Hawk cleared his throat respectfully. He saw Water Lilly peek out the lodge flap and suddenly a little two year old terror flew out the lodge screaming a war cry as he launched himself at Fighting Hawk. Big Owl was stunned, but Fighting Hawk was laughing as he wrestled with the little warrior. Little Eagle was just about to deal a mortal blow with his wooden knife when the sharp voice of Water Lilly cut through the play. Little Eagle looked at her in disgust as he slowly climbed off of his brother, "But momma, I had Fighting Hawk down. I could beat him, and then I would be War Chief of the Cheyenne." Water Lilly looked at him and scowled, "In this lodge I am the War Chief, and can't you see that Fighting Hawk has brought another warrior to our fire? You have dishonored our lodge, and you will apologize now." She waited with her hands on her hips and Little Eagle shuffled his feet. When she growled something about his father he stuttered a weak apology, and it was obvious that he didn't mean it, but it met the bare minimum that he could get away with. Water Lilly swatted him on the rear as he took off. She then turned to Fighting Hawk and formally welcomed him and his guest to their fire. She was surprised when he suddenly stood up and kissed her on the cheek and asked about Gray Eagle. He turned just in time to see Gray Eagle come out of the lodge. He was carrying a dish of dried meat and cheese. Fighting Hawk snickered and Water Lilly suddenly grabbed it away from him. She was ashamed that he would do something that was her job, at least in front of a stranger. Gray Eagle looked at her in surprise, but sat at the fire while she offered the food to the warriors at the fire. Fighting Hawk just couldn't keep from laughing, and Gray Eagle and Water Lilly looked at him with some concern on their faces. When he finally managed to get control of himself, he apologized for his bad manners. Once they were all settled at the fire, Fighting Hawk presented the fresh deer to his parents and Water Lilly accepted it with respectful tones and formal words. Fighting Hawk almost lost control again, but quickly managed to regain it just short of embarrassing himself. Gray Eagle had enough and called a halt to his antics. He was still wiping tears from his face as he introduced Big Owl, "Father, and Mother I have the pleasure of introducing you to Big Owl. He is my son from my white wife Kelly. We have hunted through the winter and he has learned the ways of the Cheyenne warrior. This festival I will present him and his name as my son, just as I am the son of Gray Eagle. My parents, I am afraid that your family has grown again." Gray Eagle looked at Big Owl and smiled warmly as he offered his hand. Big Owl took it warmly and smiled in return. It was then that Water Lilly saw what he had been laughing at and slapped him on the side of the head, "You could have said something sooner, and not let me make so much of a fool of myself." That started Fighting Hawk off again and she hit him again. Big Owl looked at Water Lilly and said, "Since you are my father's parents, can I call you grand-mother? I have never had a grandmother before." Fighting Hawk was laughing so loud now that you almost couldn't hear Water Lilly sputter and choke before she said, "No, you cannot call me grandmother! I am too young to be a grandmother." She turned and swatted Big Owl on the back of the head, and kicked Fighting Hawk in a tender spot, but he could only grunt before the laughing took over again. When Gray Eagle had a hard time suppressing a smile she turned on him, "And don't you dare start. I have always had to put up with a lot from him, but you; I don't have to." She turned and stomped to the lodge, and just as she closed the lodge flap Fighting Hawk saw the smile on her face, and she winked at him. After the laughter died down they all sat and talked. They learned about each other and grew close as they accepted each other as family. Fighting Hawk rose and told them to stay and talk, he had to visit with his mother, because he didn't want her sneaking up on him in the night with a sharp knife. They laughed and continued with their talk as Fighting Hawk entered the lodge. Water Lilly hugged him, and then they sat at the small cook fire. She spoke softly, "You had a good laugh at my expense." He started to apologize, but she stopped him. "I was not upset. I would ride my cow naked through the village with flowers in my hair to hear you laugh like that again. You do not laugh enough, my son. You have too much responsibility, and not enough fun. Since you came here as a boy you have never laughed, only worked. You will grow old before your time." Fighting Hawk saw the concern in her eyes and smiled at her. He held her close and whispered, "Mother, it is not good to care too much for me. I live a dangerous life and I am playing a dangerous game. If I live through it I hope to give everything up and just be a simple Cheyenne warrior. Then I will laugh and play." She snorted and spoke a little louder than he thought was wise, "You are going to get killed, if you don't take care of yourself. You talk about being a simple warrior; nothing about you is simple. Most warriors want to be a War Chief, you are a War Chief and you want to be a warrior. You have a lodge full of women, and most warriors can't keep a single woman that isn't tied down for the night. But at least having those women keeps out the ones that would be sneaking in during the night. I wish that you had never come to the Cheyenne. They will kill you as a young man." Fighting Hawk was stunned at her words. He didn't know what to say for a long time. "If you think that my life was good before I came here you are wrong. My father was like Little Buffalo, he enjoyed hurting people. My mother was a spineless cow that lived to serve him. When they died I didn't even shed a tear. It was like looking at strangers. You and Gray Eagle have been the only parents that I have ever known. Parents love their children, you did that. Since I have come here I have been happy. It was hard at times, but I learned to be a man. And responsibilities are part of being a man. What I do for the Cheyenne, is because I love them, not because I have to do it. I can't stop, because it is the right thing to do. Feeding the widows and orphans was the right thing to do, and teaching the boys that had no fathers how to be a man was also the right thing to do. When something is the right thing, you have to do it, even if it is hard, it must be done. Not doing something that is the right thing, just to do something that I would like to do is the wrong thing to do. That is the way of the white man, and I have seen that life. It is not right, and I don't want to live like that." He looked to see her crying. She said, "I am sorry for you, that you will not see more happiness in your life, but I thank the Great Spirit that he has sent you to us. If there is anybody that can save the Cheyenne people, then it is you." He was about to tell her that he appreciated her words, but they died in his throat. There was a sound that wasn't right and he instantly sprang to his feet, grabbing Gray Eagles bow and quiver from its place by the lodge flap. He told her to keep Little Eagle inside and stay low before he bolted through the flaps. Gray Eagle had stood and was listening when Fighting Hawk thrust his bow into his hands and took off at a run. Big Owl was only a step behind him. Gray Eagle was a few behind them when Fighting Hawk gave the cry of alarm throughout the village. Confused warriors were looking around, trying to figure out what was happening when Fighting Hawk yelled at them to get their bows and watch the woods. He suddenly understood what had alarmed him; the total lack of any sound coming from the woods. No movement, birds or even insect sounds. Quickly his mind furnished the answer, and he called the warning; "The Utes are raiding the village". Warriors scrambled to defend the village. When the lodge was in sight, Fighting Hawk told Big Owl to get Kelly and Little Mule in the lodge. They were still skinning the deer and Fighting Haw saw Sara coming out of the lodge. He flew at her and knocked her off her feet, and back inside the lodge. They rolled to the feet of Moon Flower, but he didn't have time to explain. He told her to keep everyone inside and to stay low. He grabbed the bows and quivers and dove through the lodge flaps just before Little Mule went flying through the opening. Kelly went next and Fighting Hawk saw that she had an arrow in her shoulder. Fighting Hawk threw Big Owl his bow and quiver. They moved quickly around the lodge to get a shot at the raiding party. They crouched and waited for the party to make their way into the village. The sounds of horses told them where they were coming from. As a young warrior rounded a lodge two arrows struck his chest. Fighting Hawk jumped on his horse as it passed. He turned the horse in time to see another warrior fall from his horse. Fighting Hawk quickly understood the raid. They were using clubs; they wanted captives. He called out loudly to drop the bows and use knives. He called to take as many captives as they could. He turned his horse into the approaching warriors and watched as the young warrior suddenly had an arrow in his chest, and a stunned look on his face. Fighting Hawk grabbed the club from his hand as he fell and swung it hard at the next warrior. The next few minutes were a flurry of activity as he dodged clubs and swung his own in answer. He knew that Big Owl was behind him and never bothered to worry what was there. Suddenly he was at the end, and there weren't any more warriors. He was breathing hard when he turned the horse, and looked to see a pile of young warriors lying on the ground around the milling horses. Big Owl was breathing as hard as he was and knew that his arm was probably just as tired. Suddenly Gray Eagle and a band of warriors came charging up to him. Gray Eagle spoke harshly and quickly, before any of the others, "Just because you are the War Chief, it does not mean that you have to fight the war all by yourself." Fighting Hawk saw the quickly glancing eyes and knew that Gray Eagle was telling him that the warriors hadn't adapted quickly enough and were feeling useless. He had wounded their pride. He motioned to Big Owl and they slipped from their horses. He handed the reins and his club to the closest warrior and pointed to the other horses. "Ride quickly, some of them escaped, and there were more in the woods. Bring back all that you can find. I don't want any to get away." He saw the determination on the faces of the warriors and watched as they surged to the horses. There were fierce cries as the warriors set off toward the woods, leaving Gray Eagle to smile proudly at Fighting Hawk and Big Owl. He spoke softly, "You understood quickly, I am glad. You have given them back the chance to protect their village. I had not even known what was happening when you thrust my bow in my hand, and then called out the alarm. By the time that we got here it was over. Why would the Utes raid our village?" Fighting Hawk sat down on the Ute warrior at his feet and explained, "The wagon trains are now moving through Montana City, to the south. The army is patrolling and protecting the settlers to the north. Any captives that the Utes take are tracked down, and the Indians are killed. They have no way to take captives, and they are losing warriors trying. They need captives, women, to increase their numbers." Gray Eagle listened and frowned, "But what shall we do with them? Why did you want captives? Wouldn't it have just been better to kill them, or to drive them off?" Fighting Hawk smiled and shook his head. "No father. I have a plan to deal a blow to the Utes that will keep them from bothering us again. But now we need to deal with these. Call all of the women of the village to tie then up and to carry them to the council fire. Tell them to tie them like pigs, I want their pride hurt. Have any more captives that are brought back treated the same way." Fighting Hawk smiled as he got to his feet, and went to see how Kelly had fared. Fighting Hawk was surprised to see the number of young Ute warriors that the warriors brought back. When they arrived in the village they were dumped at the council fire and the women quickly set about tying them up like pigs. Kelly was lucky that the arrow had missed the bone, but she was still mad about being shot. Not even Moon Flower's threats would keep her from being involved in tying the warriors up. Fighting Hawk was sure that she did a little more than was necessary, but he knew that the warriors deserved it. Once he made sure that none of them would lose a hand or foot, from being tied too tightly, he told the women that they would guard the prisoners for the night. It was intended to hurt their pride a little more that they didn't even consider them enough of a threat to have a warrior watch them. Fighting Hawk spoke to Big Cloud and still had warriors close by, but out of sight, in case of trouble. When morning came Fighting Hawk, Gray Eagle, Big Cloud and three other warriors sat at the council fire. They spoke quietly so their words could not be heard. The council had sent the women back to their lodges when they arrived. Now there were warriors guarding the captives. Fighting Hawk suddenly pointed to a young warrior. He was not the youngest, but he wasn't the oldest either. Big Cloud cut his feet and left his hands tied behind his back. He pulled him to his feet and led him to the council fire. He roughly pushed him down and returned to his position at the fire. Fighting Hawk leaned almost into the fire as he spoke to the young warrior sitting across from him. "Why have you attacked my village?" His voice was strong, but Fighting Hawk could see the fear in his eyes. He flung insults at the Cheyenne and told of the greatness of the Utes. He snorted his contempt at them. Fighting Hawk smiled and he was sure that the little speech was calculated to make him look good to his fellow warriors. Fighting Hawk stood and stepped across the fire and grabbed the warrior by the throat. It took all the strength that he had but he lifted the man off of the ground and held him with his feet dangling. He said, "Oh such a big strong Ute warrior." He then threw him as far as he could. He only went a few feet before his feet hit the ground, but he couldn't stop the fall that followed. His body landed with a thud, and a grunt. Fighting Hawk walked to the warrior and put his knife under his chin and shoved the point up through his mouth and into his brain. The assembled warriors gasped in shock as he jerked his knife free and wiped it on the dead warriors twitching body. Then he turned and faced them with anger in his eyes. "I am Fighting Hawk, War Chief of the Cheyenne. When I ask a question you will answer me, or you are of no use to me." He pointed to the dead warrior, "He is of no use to me." Fighting Hawk sat back down at the council fire and motioned to another warrior. This time it was the youngest that they could find. Big Cloud sat him in the same spot that the first warrior at sat. Fighting Hawk looked and saw the outright fear in his eyes. He asked quietly and softly, "Why did you attack my village?" He young warrior wasn't much more than a boy, but he did well to control his fear; his voice was at least steady. "We came to take captives; women. When we take white captives they hunt us down and kill everybody that they can find. We heard that Fighting... , uh, you were dead and we thought that we could raid the Cheyenne village." He had sweat running down his brow and Fighting Hawk smiled at him as he stood and stepped over the fire. He grabbed him by the throat and lifted him to his feet and whispered to him, "You thought that the Cheyenne were weak and that you could take what you wanted." He could smell the piss and knew what had happened, without looking down. The boy had tears running down his face. Fighting Hawk took out his knife and cut the thong at his wrist. He then turned the boy to face the other Ute warriors. "Look at your brothers, remember how many are here. You will ride back to the Utes and tell them that the Cheyenne are not weak. If they want their warriors back they will send two horses and one woman for each warrior. You will be back before the moon is full, or don't bother to come back. Your brothers will stay just as they are. We will feed and water them, but they will stay trussed like the pigs that they are. Carry this message to the Utes; If they ever attack the Cheyenne again we will wipe the Ute from the land, and nobody will even remember what a Ute is. Carry that message back." Big Owl was standing with one of the Ute horses and Fighting Hawk pushed the boy toward it. He watched as the boy looked around again before he jumped onto its back. Before he could ride away Fighting Hawk added, "And don't try to send us any white captives, we don't want the white army causing us the trouble that you have." The boy nodded his head and dug his heels into his horse, and rode away as fast as his horse would go. Fighting Hawk turned to the council fire and motioned toward the village. When they were well away from the council fire Fighting Hawk stopped and threw up. Gray Eagle understood and put his hand on his shoulder. Big Cloud fetched some water and Fighting Hawk rinsed his mouth. When he stood up he looked at his friends and frowned, "Yes, big strong Fighting Hawk. May his reputation grow wider and stronger, and each time he does something that he must. He will run behind a tree and lose his stomach." He was disgusted with himself, but Gray Eagle spoke loudly and clearly, "And I am proud that you do. I am proud that you respect life, even the lives of our enemies." Fighting Hawk shook his head and nodded his appreciation to Gray Eagle. Before he turned to leave he said, "Leave the body for a few days, so that they will always remember the smell." He then turned and walked away. Big Owl followed him with sympathy in his heart. He had watched each of those strong men, the most powerful men in the Cheyenne nation, and he knew that each one of them would have done the same thing to the young man. Then they would have stopped at that same tree. He finally understood that you did what you had to do, but you had to pay the cost if you still wanted to hold your head up. He was proud of his father. He smiled when he realized that he did think of Fighting Hawk as his father, and he would always try to make his father as proud of him as he was at that moment. It was late in the day when Fighting Hawk sent Big Owl to Gray Eagle. He suggested that he send warriors to the other Cheyenne villages, and warn them of the Ute raid. He said that Gray Eagle should tell them of their prisoners and the payment, and have them watch for Ute raids to pay the ransom. Big Cloud had been at his side since the battle. Every time that Fighting Hawk left his lodge Big Cloud suddenly appeared. He felt like he was being watched and wondered if they were concerned for his sanity. Big Cloud laughed at this and said that a War Chief was never alone in the presence of his enemies. Fighting Hawk frowned, but he knew that it was expected. It was two days later that Fighting Hawk said to have the body buried. Big Cloud made a motion and the body disappeared, and Fighting Hawk felt better when he saw that Big Cloud had his own escorts. Having the body buried didn't help the smell much, and it disgusted him. He spoke to the prisoners for the first time, "I think that we have made our point, and I will allow you to wash, and exercise in small groups. If there is any trouble, all of you will be punished for the trouble makers, and it will be the last you see of water or exercise." Big Cloud had a large number of warriors ready as he released four warriors at a time. They washed and stretched, and washed two days of embarrassment out of their britches. When they had all been tied back up Fighting Hawk told Big Cloud to see that they got a half hour each day. He hoped that it would keep the smell down. ------- Chapter 22 Fighting Hawk asked if Big Cloud was going to be presenting any young warriors at the festival, and he said that he had four that were ready. Two that weren't old enough from the previous year and two new ones. Fighting Hawk asked him to bring them with him the next morning. Big Cloud looked confused, but nodded his head. The next morning when Fighting Hawk and Big Owl came from the lodge they found Big Cloud and four young warriors sitting at the lodge fire. Fighting Hawk greeted them warmly and the four boys just stared in awe. Fighting Hawk pretended not to notice as he sat. He asked the boys if they were ready for the festival, and they nodded with excitement. He asked if they were ready to handle the challenges. He got the blustering and bragging that he had expected. He smiled and told them to come with him. He stood before the small group of Ute warriors stretching and asked one of the young men to point out the best fighters. He looked around confused and then pointed to two of the bigger warriors, and one tall and wiry young man. Fighting Hawk nodded and had them cut free. After they had relieved themselves and stretched the kinks from their muscles Fighting Hawk picked the first one that had been picked and tossed him a wooden knife. He caught it easily and stood looking at Fighting Hawk. Fighting Hawk pitched a wooden knife to Big Owl. The young man understood instantly. Fighting Hawk told both of them, "You will fight fairly and honestly. When I say the fight is over, it is over." He then turned to the Ute warrior, "If you win, you will stay free today." He knew that he didn't have to say anything more. Big Owl regarded his opponent critically and watched as he took a fighting stance. Big Owl stayed upright as he looked the warrior over. The sudden attack of the warrior was fended off and the fight was started in earnest. Both young warriors were crouching and circling. Each received a fair number of small cuts and jabs. But the opening to finish the fight didn't come. It was a lack of concentration, or over confidence that gave an opening to Big Owl. He slapped the knife out of the warrior's hand and quickly moved inside his defenses. He pressed the wooden knife to his neck and brought it down his body; giving a blow to the face spun him around and the knife cut across his side and up his back, stopping at the base of his skull. Fighting Hawk called a stop to the fight. Big Owl collected the wooden knives while Fighting Hawk applied salve to the young warrior's cuts. When he was finished Big Owl stepped forward and offered his hand. The young warrior accepted and nodded his head with respect. Fighting Hawk offered the knife to Big Cloud's boys and one of them stepped forward. He then turned and pitched the knife to the next young Ute warrior. He was much more careful after seeing what had happened to his friend and it was a long fight. Fighting Hawk realized that he didn't know the name of either boy. He watched as each of them got small cuts and minor jabs, but nothing that could be considered a winning blow. They were both tired when Fighting Hawk called the fight. They gave their knives to the next pair and a new fight was quickly underway. The tall wiry boy was fast and quickly put a number of cuts on the young Cheyenne warrior. Fighting Hawk knew how this was going to end, but waited until the boy had received a mortal blow before calling the fight. Fighting Hawk applied the salve and asked the young wiry warrior which of the others would like to face the last two young warriors. They were enjoying the competition and there were calls and pleas from a number of the warriors, but the young warrior chose the best that he knew of and they were soon free and working the stiffness out of their muscles. The last two fights ended one Ute and one Cheyenne. Fighting Hawk ordered fresh meat and drink for the winning warriors and they were allowed to sit by the fire and enjoy their freedom for the day. The warriors guarding them kept a close eye on them, but they caused no trouble. Big Cloud had a few words with his young warriors before they were sent away. None of them looked happy as they left. Big Cloud nodded as they walked back to Fighting Hawk's lodge, "Interesting fight. How did you think of doing that? Weren't you afraid that they would cheat, or try to get away?" Fighting Hawk laughed. "No, I wasn't afraid of them cheating, or trying to escape. It gave your boys a fight with someone that really wanted to win, not just to try and show them up. And to cheat in a wood fight is like cheating in an honor fight, I knew that wouldn't happen. And the chance to beat a Cheyenne in his own village, no, I knew that these boys wouldn't want to escape that much." Big Cloud looked thoughtful for a minute before he assured Fighting Hawk that the boys would be ready before festival. Fighting Hawk looked serious when he said, "I sure hope so. The warriors guarding those boys will talk about those fights. They will know who needs to be challenged. There won't be any resting on past fights this year." Big Cloud smiled and nodded his head. He knew that he wouldn't be seeing much of the boys for a while, and that left him free to do other things. When Fighting Hawk arrived to check the prisoners the next morning the young wiry warrior pointed to Big Owl and challenged him. Fighting Hawk was surprised and looked to Big Owl to see if he would accept. He shrugged his shoulders and let his pack fall. Big Cloud produced two of the wooden knives and tossed one to each of them. Big Owl held his knife at his side and started walking toward the tall warrior. The young man crouched and waited. Fighting Hawk thought that it was a reckless approach. When Big Owl was close enough the boy quickly lashed out with the knife. As fast as lightening Big Owl's knife lashed across his wrist and hand. Fighting Hawk realized that his approach was calculated just for that action. He smiled as he realized that Big Owl was using his head and planning well in advance. The boy took a step back and looked at his wrist. He couldn't keep a good grip on his knife and switched hands. Big Owl tossed the knife to his other hand and started forward again. This time the boy was too cautious and kept moving back. He realized that he had moved too far and had no place to go. He made a lunge and moved to the side. Big Owl was expecting the move, and was waiting with a fist to the boy's stomach. There was a grunt as the boy landed on his ass; when he looked down he was shocked to see the blood from the cut going across his stomach. Fighting Hawk called the fight and Big Owl pitched the knife back to Big Cloud. Fighting Hawk applied the salve to the young man's cut and helped him to his feet. There were taunts and jeering, but they weren't directed at the Cheyenne, or Big Owl. These were directed at the young warrior that had lost so quickly. Most of them came from the young man that Big Owl defeated the previous day. He was still laughing when Fighting Hawk cut him loose to treat his wounds again. The wiry young warrior offered his hand to Big Owl and asked, "Who are you?" Big Owl accepted the hand and answered, "I am Big Owl, son of Fighting Hawk. I will be named at this year's festival." The laughter stopped and the young man gasped, "You have not even been named yet?" The young man stepped back and fell on his ass again. Still there was no laughter. Big Owl shrugged and picked up his pack, and waited beside Big Cloud for Fighting Hawk to finish his work. Before they left Fighting Hawk called to the guards, "Keep their hands and feet tied, but they don't have to be trussed up like pigs, unless they give you any trouble." There were appreciative thanks as they left, but Fighting Hawk was more concerned with the time that it took to keep them tied like that. Also the guards were lax about watching them when they were tied like that. They didn't consider them a treat, and they weren't paying attention to them. If even one of them got loose, they would all be loose before they even knew what had happened. This way the guards would be more alert to trouble. Each morning Fighting Hawk visited the prisoners and treated cuts. He talked to each of the young warriors and allowed them to ask questions. Some he answered and some he didn't, but they understood the time that he took with them. This was a very important man, and he spent his time each day treating their wounds and making sure that they were treated right. They knew that he would kill them all if the need was there, but they knew that he would not abuse them just because they were prisoners. They respected him, and understood why he was the greatest of the Cheyenne War Chiefs. Fighting Hawk listened when the warrior told him that the Ute trading party was approaching. Fighting Hawk told Big Cloud to send half of the warriors, and to have them spread out and watch for treachery. He knew that Big Cloud would give the specific orders to each warrior to get the job done. He no longer had to give that any consideration. He calculated that they would arrive in a couple of hours. He wanted to talk to his mother and left the warriors to their preparations. He sat at the cook fire of his parent's lodge and made a respectful cough. It was a short time later that they sat with him at the fire. He told of the Ute party approaching and what he wanted his mother to do. She frowned, but she agreed to do it. He watched as she got up and went to put on her best clothes. He knew that she didn't want to do as he asked, but he had no choice. He looked at his father and shrugged. Gray Eagle nodded his head in understanding. Gray Eagle asked, "When you started this you said that we could put an end to the Ute threat, but you still haven't told me how you are going to do this." Fighting Hawk looked tired as he spoke. "I have already done that. The Utes have few chances to take captives now; with the mountains on one side, the army protecting the settlers on the other and us to the South. Now we are taking thirty seven of their women. That will deal them a hard blow, and force the Ute population down to barely surviving. Their young warriors have seen what we will do for a failed raid, and we have scared them. They will not attack the Cheyenne for a long time, and by then it may be too late for them to survive at all. If they try, it will be war and with their reduced numbers we will destroy them. No matter what happens this will cost them their survival, and help to guarantee our own." Gray Eagle looked hard at Fighting Hawk. He saw the sadness about what he had done, but he knew that he would do it all over again to save the Cheyenne people. He said, "It is good that I am the Chief of the Cheyenne people. Any other Chief would think that you wanted to be Chief. I know better and feel proud that you would do a good job when I can no longer pretend that you are not running everything now." Before Fighting Hawk could speak Gray Eagle held up his hand and smiled at him. He spoke softly, "I am happy that I know that what you do will always be for the good of the Cheyenne people, and I don't have to worry that it will be for the glory of Fighting Hawk. Little Buffalo was like that, and that was why I couldn't allow him to become Chief. I am glad that you let the people think that I am still the one that makes some of the plans." Fighting Hawk shook his head and said, "Father you do the hard job. You talk to the people, and make the decisions that run things every day. I just seize the opportunity when it comes. It is usually flashy, but it is not something that I could do every day. No, I do not want to be Chief. It is hard enough to be the War Chief when there is no war." Gray Eagle smiled at his son. He knew that Fighting Hawk felt like it was true, but he knew that one day he would still be Chief, even if he didn't want to do it, he would. And Gray Eagle knew that he would be a good Chief, just as Big Cloud would make a fine War Chief; as he was walking in the footsteps of Fighting Hawk. When Water Lilly came back out of the lodge, leading Little Eagle, the men rose and they all made their way to Fighting Hawk's lodge. There Moon Flower would watch the little warrior while they handled the Utes. Before they left Fighting Said, "Be careful with that little War Chief, he will have you jumping to orders before the sun his high in the sky." Moon Flower laughed and ruffled his hair, but Little Eagle had a proud look on his face. Fighting Hawk and Gray Eagle settled themselves at the council fire to wait while Water Lilly gathered the women that she would need. When she was ready, they sat well away from the council fire and talked among themselves. Fighting Hawk wondered how much mischief that they were brewing up, and Gray Eagle confirmed that he was probably right. Fighting Hawk watched as two Cheyenne warriors led two Ute warriors down to the council fire. He revised his opinion when the same boy that he had sent slipped from his horse and moved to sit with the other captives. Fighting Hawk nodded his approval of his actions and the boy grinned. Fighting Hawk turned his attention to the other warrior. This was an old warrior, and Fighting Hawk suspected that he was the Chief, or War Chief. He waited and let Gray Eagle handle the welcome of the visiting Chief. He sat and listened as they talked about the past, and the present situation of the white men. They rambled on and Fighting Hawk motioned to Big Cloud, he wanted him to check the area and make sure that the old warrior wasn't just staling and giving time to position warriors for an attack. Big Cloud nodded and left the council fire to give orders to the warriors. Fighting Hawk continued to listen to the words of the old warriors, as he closed his eyes and relaxed. When the talk switched to the current situation of the prisoners, Fighting Hawk's eyes snapped open and he was instantly alert. The hard eyes of the old warrior missed none of it. He offered a different exchange, and even offered considerably more horses, guns, knives and blankets. Gray Eagle considered for a moment before he answered, "I would like to be able to trade with you, but since these are prisoners it is the War Chief that has the say on what is done. It is Fighting Hawk that you must deal with." He turned and nodded his head motioning to Fighting Hawk. Fighting Hawk already knew that the old warrior knew who he was. It was clearly on his face. They both knew that this was the reason that they were there. It was a game, and Fighting Hawk was not willing to play. He spoke loudly and asked, "I sent a young warrior to you with the terms. If he did not deliver them to you, then you should talk with him. You know what is expected, if you are not willing to pay the price then tell me, and I will have the warriors killed, and you can take their bodies' home to their families." The old warrior never flinched and shook his head. He looked at Gray Eagle when he spoke, but Fighting Hawk knew that he was speaking to him, "Youth is so inflexible. I am sure that there is something that we can do to make everybody happy. We just have to try to work things out." Fighting Hawk knew what he was trying to do and his voice dropped to a cold hard rasp. "If they had come to take blankets, then I would have demanded blankets. If they had come to take guns then I would have demanded guns. But they came to take women; our women. And I demand women in payment. I don't care about your problems; we have many of our own. We did not attack the Utes to solve our problems, but you would attack the Cheyenne, and leave us in trouble to solve your problems. This talk solves nothing. You know the price. Now pay it, or take your dead and go" Fighting Hawk made a motion and all of the warriors drew their bows and pointed their arrows at the prisoners. Fighting Hawk looked at the old warrior before giving the signal to kill the young warriors. The old warrior looked tired and beaten when he whispered, "The payment is ready, please do not kill our young men." Fighting Hawk slowly lowered his hand and the warriors lowered their bows. Fighting Hawk made a motion and the Cheyenne rose from the council fire, "We have wasted enough time on this, bring the payment and let us be done with it." They left the old warrior sitting at the council fire. Once away from the others Fighting Hawk stood by the tree again and hoped that he would not lose his stomach. Gray Eagle placed his hand on his shoulder and said, "You did well my son. I don't think that I could have done it." Fighting Hawk looked at Gray Eagle and said, "I don't think that I could do it again either." Big Cloud put his hand on his other shoulder and said, "We do what we have to do. But I am not sure that I could look into his eyes and do what you did." Fighting Hawk hugged his friends and said, "Yes you could, just like I did, because you have to." After they gathered themselves together, they went back to the council fire to see the women riding into the camp. Warriors led the horses away. Fighting Hawk made sure that there were two horses for each warrior. Water Lilly and her women took charge of the women. She talked to each one and after she had worked her way through the group she pulled out six and brought them to Fighting Hawk. She said that these were not acceptable. One was definitely a white captive, and Water Lilly said that she didn't even speak Ute. Water Lilly guessed that she had been taken recently. Fighting Hawk had six horses brought and had the women mounted. He then led them to the old warrior and said that they were not acceptable, and that he expected better from him. The old warrior looked at the women and nodded his head. He motioned to the boy and had him lead the women back up the trail. It was only a few minutes later that Fighting Hawk saw the boy coming back with six other women. He was surprised to see that they looked very young. Water Lilly met them and talked with each of them. She looked at Fighting Hawk and nodded her head. Fighting Hawk motioned to the warriors guarding the prisoners and they moved forward to cut them free. He turned to the old warrior and said, "The payment has been made, you are allowed to take your young men and leave in peace. If we ever find a Ute war party in Cheyenne lands again, we will butcher every Ute; man, woman and child." The old warrior looked at the hard glint in his eyes and sadly nodded his head. He led the young warriors away, and Fighting Hawk watched as they went. He ordered the warriors to follow them until they were out of Cheyenne lands. Water Lilly came up to stand behind Fighting Hawk and Gray Eagle. She leaned close and spoke very softly. "My son, these last six women are just scared girls. They need to be claimed by good gentle men. You and Gray Eagle should claim one and you know the men that need to claim the others. Please don't let them fall into the hands of the brutes." Fighting Hawk leaned over to speak with Gray Eagle, "Mother, even if we claim them, you know what they will be subjected to. Does it really matter?" Gray Eagle nodded his head and pretended that Fighting Hawk was speaking to him. They heard Water Lilly say to them, "Yes, it does matter. I don't want what happened to me, to happen to them. They deserve better than that. They deserve some happiness." Fighting Hawk leaned to speak with Gray Eagle once again, "Very well mother, but I don't need another woman. You might be the death of me yet. Take the six and bring them to the council fire. I will have the warriors there." When Gray Eagle spoke Water Lilly moved away, "You mother might be the death of you, but she will probably kill me before you." Fighting Hawk laughed while he motioned for Big Cloud to join them. He told Big Cloud to find White Wolf and to bring him to the council fire quickly. They watched Water Lilly herd the girls to the council fire. She was right. They were younger than they first looked. Fighting Hawk whispered to Gray Eagle, "Well Father, how many can you handle?" Gray Eagle sputtered and accused Fighting Hawk of trying to kill him. Fighting Hawk laughed and told him to pick one and take her away. Gray Eagle looked very unhappy, and nodded to Water Lilly. She put her hand on one of the girl's shoulder and led her away. Fighting Hawk turned to Big Owl and said, "Well my son, it appears that you will get your first taste of responsibility sooner than you thought. You will now pick one of these women to serve you, and you will be responsible for her." Big Owl looked at Fighting Hawk and nodded, "Yes father, I am not sure that I am ready to be responsible, but I will trust your judgment." Big Owl looked them over and chose the oldest of the group. Fighting Hawk suspected that he would. Fighting Hawk then stepped forward and selected a girl and took her to Big Cloud. He said, "Tell the stars that I put this girl in your hands. If they want to argue about it, then send them to me." Fighting Hawk saw the relief in his face, and smiled. Then the selected a girl for himself, leaving only the last two, that were huddling together. When he turned to White Wolf he said, "I want you to take these two and care for them. They are young and afraid. Let Bright Dove train them to learn the things that they will need to know. She knows the things that must be done; let her guide you in their training, if you want to keep her happy." He left White Wolf looking confused. Fighting Hawk stood before the assembled group of women. He knew that every warrior was listening. "Each of the warriors that returned with a captive will pick a woman. Each warrior that guarded the captives will then pick a woman." There was a flurry of activity and women were pulled from the group. When the selections were finished there were still ten women left. "The two warriors that followed the boy back to Ute lands will pick a woman." He waited until they were finished. "The four riders that carried the warnings to the other Cheyenne villages will each pick a woman." He looked at the last four women and said, "Tie them. The four warriors that trail the young warriors will take them." He then turned to leave with his own selection hurrying to keep up with him. He knew that she was afraid and she wouldn't get far from him. The hungry looks of the warriors that didn't get to select a woman followed her. When Fighting Hawk reached his lodge Moon Flower was surprised at the girl following him. He looked at her and said, "This was my mother's idea. Take care of her and teach her what she needs to know. I need to get some rest." She watched him enter the lodge and shook her head in sympathy. She knew that he really didn't want any more women in his life, and he still didn't know the worst that was waiting for him. She hoped that when he found out that he didn't leave for months again. She hated when he was gone for so long. She turned her attention back to the girl. She asked the girl her name and she just stared. Moon Flower swore and wished that just once he would get one that knew how to speak Cheyenne. She took the girl and put her to work while she started to teach her the Cheyenne language. That night the screams that filled the night made sure that few people got any sleep. Moon Flower had told Fighting Hawk that the girls name was Raven. He thought that the name suited her; her hair and eyes were as black as a raven and she had that haunted expression. He was sure that the expression would change, but now she was afraid. He watched as she sat huddled in her blankets, with her friend. He hadn't learned the name of Big Owl's girl, but he was glad that Big Owl had followed his example and left her alone this night. He knew that they understood every word screamed through the night, and were waiting for their own torment to begin. He cuddled with Little Mule. Her screams weren't even noticed this night, and he was glad that there wouldn't be the smirking smiles the next day. The next morning he filled a pack with dried deer meat and motioned for Big Owl to walk with him. As he led Big Owl around the village he explained that when a woman was tied naked to the lodge post, that she was there to be used by any man or boy in the village in any way that they liked. He explained that the warrior that owned the captive could feed her or not, or he could kill her or not. He explained that some of the warriors would sell or kill a woman if they couldn't break their spirit and make them docile. He frowned and said that it was the only law that he really disagreed with, but that there were things that just couldn't be changed, except by teaching young warriors the right way to live. He looked at Big Owl and said," I have had naked women on my lodge post, but I have made sure that they were fed, and I have never killed a woman on a lodge post." They walked through the village and as he expected there were many women tied to the posts. Some were being used and some had already been used. At each post Fighting Hawk put food in any bowl that was empty. He saw the looks on their faces, but there was nothing that he could do for them; they knew that the Ute village had lodge posts as well, but they still looked for any help that they could get. Food and water was the most that Fighting Hawk could give without offending the warrior that owned her. They made their way to the lodge of Gray Eagle. They sat and made their presence known. The girl that came out looked at Fighting Hawk with open hatred when she saw him. Water Lilly explained that this was her son, but the girl only looked at the ground. The hate that she felt wouldn't go away just because he was Water Lilly's son. Fighting Hawk accepted her anger, and the food that she offered. Water Lilly pursed her lips and sent her back into the lodge. She turned to them and apologized, but Fighting Hawk waved it away. He did point out that it was her idea that they have one of those angry young girls sleeping in their lodge, and Water Lilly nodded her head. Fighting Hawk asked if she would help with teaching the girls to speak Cheyenne. Water Lilly quickly agreed and Fighting Hawk suggested sending them to her each morning. She could put them to work as she taught them Cheyenne. Water Lilly smiled at him when he mentioned that she was a little lax lately on the butter and cheese. Water Lilly motioned at the pack and Fighting Hawk explained that it was for the women on the posts. Water Lilly kissed and hugged him before going back inside. Gray Eagle looked terrible when he came out. Fighting Hawk asked why he looked so bad, he just slumped down at the fire and grumbled, "It was bad enough when there was one woman in a lodge, but having an angry girl with tantrums made getting any sleep impossible. Even Little Eagle cried most of the night, and he didn't even know what was going on." Fighting Hawk hung his head and shook it, "Father, you taught me how to love and please a woman. Please listen to me; you can't do this with her. I don't care what mother thinks about this, she will just make it worse by babying her. You are going to have to get her straightened out. She still thinks that she can get her own way, probably like she has always gotten her own way. Letting mother baby and protect her from the truth will only keep it happening. One day she will have to face things. The sooner it happens, the sooner you can get back to your normal life." Fighting Hawk looked to see Gray Eagle considering his words, but knew what he was going to say, and held up his hand to stop him. "Father, I have had five women in my lodge at the same time. I think that I know how to handle some things. I agree that most of the time I let the women handle things themselves, but when I take a hand they know better than to interfere. Show this girl that she is not still at home, and what her new life could be like. Rip her clothes off, and put a rope on her neck. Lead her through the village and let her see what is happening to her friends. Let her talk to them, and listen to their stories. Then ask her if she wants to be sold to one of the other warriors, or put on your lodge post; because you aren't going to put up with her shit any longer. If that doesn't fix the problem, then sell her and let her be the problem of somebody else that won't be so nice." Fighting Hawk gave him a hard look and Gray Eagle frowned, but shook his head. They watched as Gray Eagle cut a length of rope and went into the lodge. They sat and listened to the screams. It wasn't long after that the girl was roughly shoved through the lodge flaps and landed on her face by the fire. She looked at Fighting Hawk with fear in her face this time. Gray Eagle pulled the rope around her neck and she choked as she got to her feet, with tears streaming down her face. Water Lilly suddenly burst through the flaps and grabbed Gray Eagle's arm. She was crying as she pulled at him. Fighting Hawk was on his feet and grabbed her by the arm, while Gray Eagle strode off with the girl stumbling behind him. Water Lilly turned and hit Fighting Hawk and demanded that he let her go. He calmly slapped her, hard enough to knock her down. Her shocked expression cut Fighting Hawk to the core, but he hardened himself. He spoke in a low, quiet rasping voice. "Mother, shut up and sit down, before I have to do something worse. Neither of us wants that, but you know that I will do what I must do." Water Lilly knew better than most what he was capable of, and that voice told her that he would not hesitate to do it. Fighting Hawk turned to Little Eagle looking through the lodge flaps, "Get back inside!" He disappeared instantly. But you could still hear his cries. Fighting Hawk looked at Water Lilly, "Mother you have brought this on yourself. You are the reason that the girl is now naked and being dragged through the village on a rope. You want to help her, and make sure that what happened to you doesn't happen to her. Well if it does that's too bad, but it will if it must. This is not a Ute village and she is not living in her father's lodge. She is a captive, and that is all that she is. You have given her the impression that everything will be all right, and that you won't let anything happen to her, and she has believed you. Now she is going to find out the truth. She is going to see what has happened to her friends. She is going to see them tied to lodge posts. She is going to hear their cries, and she is going to find out that she is a captive, just like they are. She wants to go home to her family, unlike white captives she knows that her family is still there waiting for her. She will kill Gray Eagle and you, and even Little Eagle in your sleep and sneak home, if she can; just as you would have when you came here. Try to remember what it was like to be a captive, and not a loving wife. She is dangerous, and you are risking my father's life, just because you don't want her hurt. If you can't handle her like any other captive, then get rid of her, but quit babying her." Fighting Hawk sat down and hung his head. He suddenly felt tired, and felt like he wanted to be sick. Big Owl watched him and handed him a drink. He took it without thinking and finished it. Water Lilly looked at him and shook her head, "She isn't dangerous. She would never hurt any of us. You are just saying that, because you just want to use her like every other man. You are no better than any of them." She jumped up and started to the lodge, but Fighting Hawk's tired voice stopped her, "Yes, I am just like every other man that loves his family. I might be wrong, but I won't risk your lives on it. Check her blankets." He watched as she stormed back inside the lodge. They heard Little Eagle stop crying. Fighting Hawk didn't move when Water Lilly came out to sit beside him. In her hand she carried a knife. She let it drop to the ground at her feet. "How did you know?" He sounded tired when he said, "When the Ute warriors raided the camp; if you had been taken, what would you do to get away and come back here? How many would you have killed to get back to your loving husband, and Little Eagle?" He felt her arm around his shoulder when she whispered, "And my loving son. One that I would insult and still he loves me enough to make me listen to him, even when I was too stupid to hear him." He suddenly felt a little better, and hugged her close to him. They were still sitting that way when Gray Eagle led the crying girl back to the fire. When she saw the knife at his feet she made a grab for it. Fighting Hawk saw the movement and stepped on her hand, pinning her to the ground. Water Lilly suddenly lunged at her, grabbing handfuls of her hair and screaming at her. Fighting Hawk motioned to Gray Eagle and he pulled her off of the girl. Fighting Hawk smiled at the girl. He suddenly understood what had seemed out of place about her. He spoke to Water Lilly while pointing to Gray Eagle, "Have you told her who he is?" She didn't seem to have heard him, but answered,"No! The little bitch didn't want to do anything but cry, and I felt sorry for her. I was going to start getting her settled in today." Fighting Hawk grabbed a handful of hair and pulled her face up to look into his eyes. He searched and said, "You don't have to worry about teaching this one how to speak Cheyenne. She already knows." He saw the recognition in her face. He took his own knife from his belt and started cutting her hair. She was like all Indian women. Her hair was long and beautiful, it almost reached her ass. He knew how much that she loved her hair. She screamed as he cut. He grabbed handful after handful. When her hand got in the way he just kept cutting. She screamed as blood ran from the cuts, and she knew that there was nothing that she could do to stop him. She just cried as the hair hit the ground in front of her face. When he was finished and her hair was a butchered mess, he jerked her head back up to look into his eyes. He spoke softly and she could almost taste the menace in his voice, "You already know who I am, I saw it in your eyes. But I will tell you just so that you will always remember; I am Fighting Hawk, son of Gray Eagle and Water Lilly. I know that you know who they are too. You planned on using that knife on them, and running away. Let me tell you something, just so that you will know. Even if you made it to the Ute village, they would bring you back, but it would be too late. Because I already told that old fool that brought you here what would happen if we were ever attacked by the Utes again. I told him that we would destroy the Ute village and kill every man, woman and child. I would personally hunt down any that might have gotten away. I would leave none alive." The look of shock and fear were evident. He could see that she didn't want to believe him, but she did. Once the truth settled in he continued, "If anything happens to anybody in his lodge I will hunt you down, and I will spend days before I start to kill you. Then I will really get started. I will strip every inch of skin from your body and use a hot iron, just so that you don't bleed to death. When I finish I will start over and do it all again. I will spend every day just giving you pain, and I will spend years killing you. But before I start, I will cut out your tongue just so I don't have to listen to you beg me to kill you." He smelled the piss and knew that he had made the impression that he wanted. Before he took his foot off of her hand her said, "Now if you still want to use that knife, go ahead." He waited when he lifted his foot. He knew that she could try to kill him first, and was prepared for the move. She left it lying in the dirt and raised her bleeding hand. She scooted back away from him. He dropped his knife back in the sheath on his belt. He looked at Gray Eagle and saw the smile on his face. Water Lilly's anger had softened a little, but not enough that the stupid little girl wouldn't live in hell at her hands for a long time. He spoke to Water Lilly, in the most loving and adoring voice that he could manage, "Mother, since my little bitches don't seem to speak Cheyenne, would you be kind enough to explain what will happen to them if anything should happen to anyone in my lodge." Water Lilly's hand shot out and snatched a handful of what was left of the girl's hair and said that she would make sure that the little cutthroat bitch explained it thoroughly to them, and she would make very sure that she lift nothing out. Fighting Hawk smiled sweetly and said that they had to go and attend to other business, as they stood and he shouldered the pack. On the way back to the lodge Big Owl suggested that they stop and get a couple of ropes and make sure that their girls understood how nice that they had been. Fighting Hawk wasn't in the mood, but knew that it needed to be done sooner or later and that he might as well get it over with. He nodded his agreement and when they got back to the lodge the girl's screams ran through the village. They didn't enjoy their visit to see their friends, but by the time that they got back to the lodge, they had a true understanding of their situation. Fighting Hawk told Moon Flower that each morning Water Lilly would be helping them learn Cheyenne, and suggested that one of the women accompany them and help her. Moon Flower nodded her agreement. Fighting Hawk took the ropes and suggested that Big Owl visit with White Wolf and Big Cloud. He was glad to see that Big Owl had an unhappy expression on his face when he left. He was glad that his son had learned the lessons that he had tried to teach him. ------- Chapter 23: Revelations Moon Flower kept waiting, but Kelly never told Fighting Hawk what was going on. She watched and saw things get worse by the day. When she couldn't stand it any longer she snapped at Kelly that if she didn't tell him what was going on, then she would. Kelly looked pale, and said that she didn't know how. Moon Flower snorted and snapped, "Just tell him! He will do what he will do and there isn't anything that you can do about it." Kelly bit her lip and thought about it. She then nodded her head and said that as soon as he returned from hunting, that she would talk to him. Moon Flower heaved a sigh of relief. She then went out to see how Raven was doing in her work. She snorted again, "Raven, what kind of a name was Raven?" She hoped that Fighting Hawk gave her a real Cheyenne name. She hoped that he would name Kelly too. She hated the white man's names almost as much as she hated Raven's name. She realized that her nerves were getting on edge. She knew that a lot of it was that Kelly was as big as a horse and her moods were driving her crazy. She wished that she could go hunting and return when everything was all over. She didn't know how Little Mule put up with it. Every time she looked at her, she just smiled that stupid smile that nothing could wipe off of her face. She looked at Raven. It had been three days and still Fighting Hawk hadn't put the stupid bitch on the post. He hadn't even raped the dumb cow and she acted like she was something special. She knew that she would have to have a talk of her own with Fighting Hawk. She stormed over to the girl and whacked her with the stick. She pointed out the places that she had missed tanning the hide. She wanted to beat the little bitch within an inch of her life, but knew that she would answer for it. She thought about it and wondered if it would be worth it. When she thought about the way that Fighting Hawk would feel about it she threw the stick as far as she could, just to remove the temptation. But it still didn't help her mood. When Fighting Hawk returned from hunting he dropped the large buck from his horse before he slid down to see Moon Flower. She had a stormy expression on her face. She frowned and asked him, "Are you ever going to rape this stupid little bitch?" He saw the way that she was watching them and the look in her eye. He knew that he had probably put it off too long, but still he didn't have to like the idea. He also knew that she didn't really understand how things worked. He knew that she never would either, but waiting would only make it worse. He nodded his head and told Moon Flower, "I will take care of it. You go back inside and rest." She looked at him funny and said, "I don't need a rest. I just need that smug little bitch to get what she has coming." Fighting Hawk frowned and shook his head. He told her, "Even Kelly doesn't get so moody. Are you going to be like this the whole time that you are pregnant?" She stepped back and stuttered, "I, I, I can't, I would know, I mean, it can't be." Fighting Hawk smiled at her and said, "Everybody already knows. It is as plain as your belly. Little Mule told me when I got back from the winter hunt with Big Owl." He pointed to her growing belly and she looked down, and seemed to see it for the first time. She looked up at him in confusion and wonder. He smiled at her and turned her around and pushed her gently toward the lodge. She went quietly without looking back. He was sure that she would soon have a lot to say, but he was happy that right now she was quiet. He reached down to take the rope. It had stayed on Raven's neck since the day that she got the tour of the village, along with being naked. She now didn't even seem to notice that she didn't have clothes on, unless one of the warriors made a comment about her when she passed. Then she would blush furiously. Fighting Hawk led her to the lodge of his parents. They sat and he made a respectful cough. Water Lilly was quickly outside, but a quick look showed Dirty Pig looking out the lodge flaps. He saw the fear and hatred in her eyes, but he knew that the fear was much stronger. He couldn't get used to the fact that Water Lilly had changed the girl's name to 'Dirty Pig'. Gray Eagle had told him some of the names that Water Lilly had wanted to call her, and she should have kissed Gray Eagle's hand because he wouldn't let her do it. He turned his attention back to Water Lilly, "Mother, I need you to tell Raven something. It is important that she understand what I want to tell her." Water Lilly nodded her head and waited for Fighting Hawk to work things out in his mind before he spoke. "Tell Raven that from this day on things will be different. She has been lucky up until now, mostly because of you, but I have to put things right. When I take her back to my lodge she will be raped. It will not be like what she knows from my lodge, but something very different. It is not my intension that she enjoys any of it, and until she can come to me and beg to be accepted by me she will stay tied to my lodge post, or I will sell her. I will not care anything about her pleasure, until she has been accepted into my lodge. That will not happen until I am completely convinced of her sincerity. Plainly spoke, she has to earn her place, if I let her." Fighting Hawk watched as Water Lilly explained the situation to Raven. She looked grave, but she didn't look afraid. She seemed to steel herself and accept things easily. Fighting Hawk wondered if Water Lilly softened things a little, or maybe didn't tell her everything. He shrugged and thought that he had done his best, and better than any white captive ever got. Fighting Hawk then asked if Gray Eagle was available, and Water Lilly smiled as she got up from the fire and kissed him on top of his head, before she went back inside. That brought a giggle from Raven. He smiled at her when he thought about what awaited her back at the lodge, and he hoped that she did a few more things like that. Gray Eagle came out and sat by the fire. He looked much better than he did a few days ago. Fighting Hawk smiled at his father. "Father, since we no longer use the reading lodge, I was wondering if Big Owl could use the lodge, until he builds one of his own." Fighting Hawk watched as Gray Eagle considered it, finally he nodded his head. "I would like having Big Owl close to me. Having Family close for Water Lilly would be nice." Fighting Hawk smiled as he rose and said, "Thank you father, I know that you have never liked having people too close to your lodge, and I will tell him to start preparing his own lodge soon." Fighting Hawk led Raven back to his lodge. When they got back to the lodge, Fighting Hawk left Raven outside. When he entered, it was into confusion. Soon after they noticed him it was suddenly quiet. He looked at each of them, and saw different things on each face. Moon Flower was embarrassed, and Little Mule was angry, Kelly was upset and Sara was amused. From what little he had heard, he guessed the direction of the problem. "Moon Flower, stop this. You have nobody to blame but yourself, and me. If you want to yell at someone, then yell at me, but leave the girls alone. Your attitude will end you back on the post. I put Kelly there, and I will put you there." He looked to see that his words cut the tension in the air. Moon Flower was slumped and properly chastised. Little Mule even moved to comfort her. Kelly was still upset, and Sara was holding her, still with an amused expression on her face. He thought she was acting very funny lately. He noticed Big Owl quietly sitting to the side watching everything. He wasn't amused or angry; actually Fighting Hawk couldn't tell that he even was aware of what was going on from his expression. But his eyes were constantly flicking from each of them taking it all in. When Fighting Hawk motioned he rose to his feet and stepped outside. Fighting Hawk spoke softly to the women, "There is something that I have to do. I want all of you to come with me. I want you to keep silent, but make your presence known." Fighting Hawk then left the lodge and picked up the rope of Raven. He led her behind the lodge and out to the edge of the woods. There was a fallen tree there that they used to gather wood. He had used a fallen tree before, and thought that it was a good idea. He roughly pushed Raven across the tree and began tying her down. He found it almost too easy, since she wasn't struggling. He made a point to stretch her legs until he was sure that it hurt, just so she had a reason to struggle some. He heard a few quiet comments and saw when Raven turned a bright red. She might have accepted being naked, but she wasn't as comfortable with her most intimate places so exposed, and the presence of the women didn't leave her much modesty. When she was all secured he moved behind her. There were little preliminaries as he unceremoniously dropped his britches and pulled on his hardening cock. It didn't take but a moment before he was hard enough to do the job at hand. He moved close behind her and positioned himself at her moist opening. He frowned as he realized that she was much more than moist, she was seriously wet. She had only a few hairs growing on her mound, but you could see the wetness glistening in the sunlight. He took a firm grip on his cock and lined it up. With a sudden and hard lunge he plowed into her hot wet tunnel. He went about half way before he came to a stop. The only reason that he stopped was that it was still a little dry and he didn't want to hurt himself. If she felt a little pain, then that was all the better as that was the purpose of this exercise. A few quick strokes and her wetness coated his cock well enough to finish the job and he took her hips in hand and shoved as hard as he could to seat himself deep in her hot, buttery depths. He heard her grunt, but that was all. He slammed into her as hard and roughly as he could. He hammered her tender body, scraping her across the rough bark, but all he heard was her deep breathing. At one point he actually heard her moan. The women had moved closer and Little Mule was almost at his side as she watched. He knew that she had memories of her own time just like this. Little Mule had a dreamy expression on her face when she whispered to Fighting Hawk, "She is gonna cum soon." Fighting Hawk looked down to see Raven struggling against her bonds, but he quickly saw that it wasn't to get free, but to move back and get even more cock deeply buried into her wet cunt. He saw that Little Mule was right, and it fired a streak of anger in him. He savagely ripped his blood smeared cock from her hot clasping hole, and in a hard driving push buried his cock up her tiny little asshole. For the first time her heard her scream in pain, and knew that she wasn't going to get the pleasurable release that she was close to having. He smiled as he roughly slammed into the tight depths, getting closer to his own release. As he drove viciously into the tight confines of her little ass, he felt the tide rising in his balls and knew that he would soon blast a huge load of spunk in the dark depth of her hot ass. He moved faster and faster as the feeling soared higher and then he was there. He slammed and hammered her ass as hard as he could, and he suddenly realized that she wasn't crying any more, but moaning as she got closer to her orgasm again. He quickly ripped his cock from her ass before she could have her release, and she howled in frustration. Fighting Hawk saw that Little Mule was busy with her hand under her dress. She didn't appear to care that anybody might see her. When she saw Fighting Hawk's cock she dove for it, and he gasped when she swallowed it down her throat. He heard her screams from around his cock, but doubted that anybody other than Raven could have heard her. When she was quiet she slipped his hard cock out of her mouth and stood beside him, with her arm around his waist. "I remember when you did that to me." He felt the shiver that ran through her body. "I wish that I had enjoyed it that much, but it took you a few times before you got me that hot." Fighting Hawk watched as Raven trembled and shook, her body getting a few more cuts from the rough bark. He whispered to Little Mule, "Go ahead and cut her free, but don't let her touch herself until she is back in the village and tied to the lodge post. Make sure that she knows that it will be the only way that she will get any pleasure until she is allowed in the lodge." Little Mule smiled and said, "She will probably be in the lodge within a week." Fighting Hawk smiled to himself as he turned around. He saw the open hunger on both Moon Flower and Kelly, but Sara was nowhere to be seen. He shrugged his shoulders and walked over to Big Owl. "Water Lilly has a little speech that she can give to Wood Sparrow; it explains what she needs to know and what is expected of her. Also, I spoke to Gray Eagle and he said that you can use the empty lodge behind his lodge. That should get you started, until you get one built. But be sure to keep a close eye on Gray Eagle; he taught me everything that I know and you could learn a lot from him." Big Owl smiled and nodded his head. He had started to turn when he suddenly said, "Can't Raven give Wood Sparrow that little speech. I would think that she would have a better idea than anybody else." Fighting Hawk considered his words and answered him, "Yes, she can give her the talk, but I would suggest that you have her ready before Little Mule gets Raven back. She might find out what she can look forward to." He smiled as Big Owl laughed while he tramped back to the lodge. The women were moving very slowly. Raven was too distracted to do any better, but Moon Flower and Kelly had their own problems. Fighting Hawk left them to make their own way, and walked back to the lodge. He sat down at the cook fire beside Sara and asked, "I am sorry if that upset you, but it was something that had to be done. It is just part of the Cheyenne life. It is not one of the good parts, but you have to take the good with the bad." She was still angry when she turned to Fighting Hawk and the words spat from her, "The lucky bitch!" Fighting Hawk was stunned when she stood up and ran off, passing the women on the way back. Fighting Hawk turned to Kelly and Moon Flower. He heard Moon Flower tell her, "I told you she would tell him sooner or later, now you have to try and explain while he is mad." When she started to walk away Fighting Hawk said, "Hold it right there. I want both of you over here right now." He watched as they looked at each other and then they both came to the fire, but neither would look him in the eye. He told them to sit, but then waited until Big Owl finally got the idea across that he wanted Raven to tell Wood Sparrow what she could expect. He watched as her eyes grew and she looked around nervously, but Fighting Hawk thought that she was just as anxious as Raven had been. He hoped that Big Owl understood what was happening. After Big Owl gathered his things and put them in Wood Sparrow's arms, he led her away through the village. Fighting Hawk then turned his attention back to the two women. "Okay, so who is going to tell me about Sara?" Moon Flower watched the fire and still wouldn't look up. When Kelly didn't say anything, Moon Flower elbowed her in the ribs. Kelly gave a start then looked up to Fighting Hawk. She seemed nervous, until she took a deep breath and gathered her courage. Then she seemed like the old Kelly; she looked him in the eye and started her story. "Little Mule taught us Cheyenne, and Sara learned quickly. For me it was difficult at first. Everything was so different, but Sara seemed to understand everything as soon as she heard it. She spent hours just sitting and talking with Little Mule. We didn't find out until later that she was constantly taking about you. Little Mule didn't mind as you are her favorite thing to talk about, and together that was all that was said. She heard everything that Little Mule would tell her about you. It was only when Moon Flower and I cornered her that she told us that she wants to be one of your women. I know that it is my fault. It all started that night on the way here. I was trying to teach her how to please Paul. But from that time she hasn't had anything to do with Paul, or any other man. And you can believe me that while you were gone there have been men and boys coming around to see if she was interested. At first she was nice, and then she just flat out told them that she was only interested in you. That pretty much ended the curious visitors. But no matter how much we tried to make her understand she just said that if you wouldn't accept her, you would have to kill her; and I am afraid that she means it." Fighting Hawk stared at them for a few minutes. He knew that it wasn't their fault; they just didn't tell him what was going on. It was too late to say anything to Little Mule. He told them that the next time that they should tell him when something in his lodge was not right, and then sent them on their way. He stood up and decided it was time to talk with Gray Eagle. Fighting Hawk hoped that he had some ideas. While he was walking through the village he saw a large crowd in the center of the village and made his way to see what was going on. He was shocked to see that Big Owl had Wood Sparrow bent over and he was pounding her ass as she grunted away. He silently slipped away. He thought that Big Owl had picked a very public place to drive the point home to Wood Sparrow, and there wouldn't be anybody in the village that would forget what she had been made to do, and what she did without being made to do. He would receive any number of offers for her, if he chose to sell her. He was still smiling when he sat at his father's fire. Water Lilly was out even before he made a sound. She asked if he had seen what Big Owl was doing, and he said that he had. She was a bundle of questions; did Fighting Hawk tell him to do that, and did he think it was too late for Gray Eagle to do something like that to Dirty Pig? Fighting Hawk just shook his head in answer to her questions. He watched as she thought up all kinds of variations on the theme of degrading Dirty Pig in front of the village. Fighting Hawk saw that she was just rambling to herself when she didn't notice when he stopped answering her to just stare. When Gray Eagle came out and sat at the fire she looked at him and suddenly remembered where she was and went back inside the lodge. Gray Eagle shook his head and said that if he didn't watch her, he was sure that she would kill the poor girl. Fighting Hawk was surprised that sweet loving Water Lilly would do something like that. Gray Eagle assured him that she was capable of much worse than killing one little girl. He reminded Fighting Hawk that she had made a fool out of Water Lilly, and that was something that she would never forgive her for. He wished that he could get things back to normal in his lodge. Fighting Hawk thought for a moment before he said, "Father, it is really simple if you just want to get rid of her. Just sell her, or give her to Big Owl. I am sure that mother would love the idea that she was in his hands, after the spectacle that he put on today." Before Gray Eagle could speak Fighting Hawk raised his hand, "Yes, I know that mother won't let her go so easily, but that is the easy part. Just tell her that she is teaching Little Eagle all the wrong things about how to treat a woman; things that you may not ever be able to fix. Mother will never allow her son to be that type of man, and she will allow you to get rid of the girl." Fighting Hawk smiled as Gray Eagle heaved a sigh of relief. He smiled at Fighting Hawk and said, "Son, you seem to have all the answers when it comes to women, I wish that I had taught you all that you know." Fighting Hawk frowned. He cleared his throat and said that women troubles were the reason for his visit, and that he hoped that Gray Eagle could help him. Gray Eagle seemed amused, but listened while Fighting Hawk explained the problem with Sara. When he was finished Gray Eagle wasted no time in thinking about the problem. "Son, it seemed that you just have problems with the easy solutions. If you don't want to sell her, then take her to your blankets. She is not your daughter, and as far as anybody is concerned she is just like any other white captive. Don't make it any bigger of a problem than it is. There are many warriors that took both mother and daughter captives. Remember, the Cheyenne just deals with the problems that are there, they don't think up new ones just for something to do. That is for the white man." Fighting Hawk stared for a minute and then nodded his head. "Thank you father, it is good to be able to come to you with my problems." Gray Eagle laughed and put his big arm around Fighting Hawk's shoulder. Fighting Hawk then smiled and left to go to his lodge. On his way to the lodge he saw Big Owl coming toward him, leading a content looking Wood Sparrow. He noticed that she had a considerable amount of spunk dribbling down both of her legs, and was glad that Big Owl had not given her the chance to clean herself. After a closer look he was sure that she wouldn't have, even if she was given the chance. He saw the look that she gave him in passing and he knew that she had gotten everything that she wanted. He smiled when he thought about it. The entire village knew that she was Big Owl's property, and she was holding her head proudly. He made a mental note to talk to Big Owl; this was a crafty girl that he owned. He hoped that Big Owl was the one that owned that rope, but he wasn't too sure. Once he thought about it, he wasn't too sure if his women didn't own him just as completely. He was surprised when White Wolf cornered him and insisted that he come back to his lodge with him. Fighting Hawk nodded his head and they set off. When they got to the lodge Bight Dove squealed and jumped into his arms and kissed him. Fighting Hawk sat her down and swatted her ass. "That is no way to show respect to your husband." She smiled broadly and said, "That is the same way that every woman in the village would like to act, but I can. I told White Wolf before we were ever married how I felt, and he accepted that I will always love you. I can show you that in any way that I want, but I know that a kiss is as much as you would allow." Fighting Hawk looked at White Wolf and knew that she spoke the truth. He swatted her ass again and said, "And that is for embarrassing your husband." She giggled and wiggled her ass. They all laughed. When White Wolf and Fighting Hawk sat at the cook fire White Wolf told him of his problem, "Fighting Hawk, I know that you gave me the two Ute captives for a reason, but I still have to pay you for them. I did not catch any captives, and I wasn't a guard, if I keep them without paying you I will feel dishonored. I will accept the price that you set. You know that you have made Bright Dove very happy, and that made me very happy, but I feel like a thief." White Wolf looked at his feet and waited for Fighting Hawk to speak. When Fighting Hawk spoke it was slowly and after serious consideration. "I will ask a great price from you. It will take you years to pay for it." He saw the look of concern on White Wolf's face, but he saw the look of conviction there as well. "You worked for almost a year to collect the price and come to terms with what I wanted for Bright Dove. This will cost you even more than that. I want Bright Dove to teach you the white man's tongue. I want you to move your lodge into the valley and do different jobs. When you find a job that you like doing, I want you to come and tell me." White Wolf looked stunned. He sat and didn't answer for long time. When he did speak, he seemed hesitant "Fighting Hawk, if that is what you ask I will do it. But I don't understand why, or know anything about what is going on there. I wouldn't know how to do anything, how will we survive?" Fighting Hawk smiled at him and said that all he needed to do was to go down to the valley. He would be shown where to set up his lodge, and they would show him a number of different jobs. He just wanted White Wolf to try the jobs until he found one that he liked. White Wolf looked at him suspiciously, but agreed that he would pay the price that was asked. Fighting Hawk smiled and said that it was settled, and he rose to go to his lodge. ------- Chapter 24 When he got to the lodge he picked up a piece of rope and tied it to Sara's neck. She was stunned. He pulled her dress off and let it fall to the ground. He turned to the women; Moon Flower and Little Mule both had big grins on their faces, but Kelly was confused. He wasn't concerned; he knew that the women would straighten her out. He turned to Sara and said, "Well by the time that I finish with you, you might not feel that she was so lucky. If you want to change your mind, now is the time because there will be no going back after this." He looked to see Sara smile and shake her head. He had seen that smile before and wondered why females like these kept finding him. He said to the women that he would be back in a few days. When the lodge flaps closed behind them he sat out to the south. He needed to check out things in the valley, and this looked like a good time to break her in, without causing any distress to Kelly. They walked for almost an hour before they reached Running Deer's blacksmith shop. When they got there he asked Running Deer how things had been going since he had left, almost five months before. Running Deer had a strange expression on his face, and said that things were going well, but that they had a little trouble at his house. Fighting Hawk was surprised that they had been working there, and asked what it was. Running Deer explained that he wasn't sure what they had found, but wanted Fighting Hawk to take a look and see if he knew what was going on. Fighting Hawk was interested in Running Deer's lack of explanation. They left for the house, with Running Deer walking beside him and leading his horse. He made no comment of the girl tied to the rope, and even managed to pretend that she wasn't even there. They discussed how the situation came about as they walked. Running Deer was slow to begin as he thought about what was bothering him. "I started getting an uneasy feeling that one day trouble might come to the valley. You had said that White men would kill us all for the gold, if they knew about it. So I decided that we couldn't have you trapped in that house with only one way out. So I had my men start cutting you a tunnel that you could use to escape if you were trapped there. It's not like a lodge that you can cut the back and slip out. So the men worked and we found something strange. I didn't know what it was. Well, I knew what it was, but I didn't know if it was dangerous or even why it was there. We found a cave with a spring in it. The water is good and it moves quickly, but there is more there." Fighting Hawk was intrigued. He couldn't imagine what else they might have found, but he couldn't get Running Deer to explain any further. He found himself walking faster in anticipation, but Sara couldn't keep up, and he had to slow down. He felt curiosity burning in him; something that he hadn't felt for long time and he relished the flavor of the experience. When they got to the house Fighting Hawk tied Sara to the hitching post in front of the house and motioned to Running Deer to lead the way. He still felt like he would love to run all the way, but Running Deer kept a slow and steady pace. He felt like a new colt in spring time, and he loved every second of it. He still took the time to notice that Black Otter had fastened a door to the opening of the tunnel. It was thick oak and it was even shaped with jagged edges along the top that fit into the stone tunnel. It was impressive. Running Deer took off the large wooden post that secured the door, and said, "Since I didn't know if it was dangerous I had the tunnel sealed and kept everybody out." Fighting Hawk nodded his understanding but still anxiously peered inside. He felt the blast of hot air hit him in the face and was instantly weary. Running Deer led the way down the tunnel. The floor was dirt and smooth, the side walls were rough, but there weren't any really sharp edges. He noticed the lack of support and asked Running Deer about it. He just pointed up and said, "Not needed here; all solid rock, very safe." Fighting Hawk didn't feel safe, but he trusted Running Deer. It had gotten hotter with every step and now Fighting Hawk had sweat dripping from every inch of his body. Ahead he saw the narrow opening and he could almost see the heat waves coming out of the wall. Running Deer pointed with the torch and said, "When we broke through the steam and heat hit so hard that Sitting Bear was knocked from his feet; it probably saved him from any worse burns than he got. He had to stay in cool water for two days before the burns eased. But two weeks later he said that he was fine and even wanted to go back in the tunnels again." Fighting Hawk slipped through the opening and the heat took away his breath. When Running Deer stepped through with the torch, it flicked and wavered, but it showed the inside of the cave. It was almost round, but one side was larger than the other. In the center there was a pool of water about ten feet across. Fighting Hawk asked, "How deep is it." Running Deer glanced at the water and said, "About three feet, but the water is so hot that it would cook your flesh." Fighting Hawk circled the pool and suddenly felt the heat rise even hotter. He turned to look at the wall behind him. He turned and asked Running Deer if he had noticed the heat at that wall. Running Deer came to look. He didn't have to raise his hand to feel the heat coming off of the wall. He shook his head. Fighting Hawk took out his knife and used the handle and hit it hard a couple of times. He heard the echo on the other side of the wall. He nodded his head and said, "The wall is thin and we need to see what is on the other side, before we will know of this is safe." Running Deer frowned, but said that he would have his men come back and open the wall. Fighting Hawk shook his head and said, "No, it will be too dangerous for men in here when it opens up. We will use dynamite to open the wall, and we will all wait outside the tunnel." Running Deer looked confused. Fighting Hawk motioned to the opening and they went back out to the cool air. He knew that it wasn't really cool, but it felt that way to him. As they walked back down the tunnel Fighting Hawk explained that he had brought a box of dynamite back from Kansas City. It had been unloaded with the other things. He explained that was an explosive, and that he thought that they might need it on some of the tree stumps, or even to bring down a piece of the mountain side to help close the valley a little better. Running Deer nodded that he understood. That night Fighting Hawk read through many of his books, but couldn't find a match for the situation. He needed to know more before he could figure out what they were dealing with. He decided to let Sara sit and stew for the night, and curled into his blankets on the bedroom floor. The next morning Fighting Hawk welcomed the tunneling men. He saw that all of them had short hair like Running Deer. They all looked like rugged men, and he knew that they all were probably twice as strong as he was. He took the dynamite they had brought and carefully cut a stick in half. He remembered Mr. Rogers using dynamite to remove a stump when he was a boy. He had watched while Mr. Rogers carefully cut the stick, and he was trying to be just as careful now. He knew more than he did then, and it only made him sweat now. When he had the stick cut he attached a blasting cap and fuse. Fighting Hawk explained that they would need a small hole bored into the wall. Not too deep, as they didn't want to break through, but just deep enough to put the small stick of dynamite. One of the men picked up his pick and hammer, and headed off toward the tunnel. There were two others following him before Fighting Hawk could tell them to be careful. Running Deer shook his head and said that they were always as safe as they could be in the tunnels. He explained that they were the best that he had. It was thirty minutes later that they came back out the tunnel. Sweat poured off of all of them. They almost looked ready to collapse, and Fighting Hawk had them sit down and drink all the water that they could hold. They smiled as he produced six skins of water from the kitchen. When they were looking better, Fighting Hawk took the dynamite and started for the tunnel. One of the men stopped him. He said that it was too dangerous for him to do that job. Fighting Hawk was amused, but saw the determination on his face, and he was big enough to probably stop him. Fighting Hawk spoke softly and sincerely, "I know what is at stake, but none of you know how to use dynamite, and I don't want any of you killed when I can do this job alone." He didn't bother to tell them that he had never used dynamite either, but he didn't feel that it was something that he needed to go into at that time. He watched the men frown and finally one said, "One of us will go with you, in case there is trouble; and you can teach us to use dynamite." It sounded reasonable, but he still didn't want to risk anybody but himself, but they wouldn't hear of anything less. He nodded his agreement and they set off down the tunnel. The young man watched closely as Fighting Hawk worked the dynamite into the small hole. It almost wouldn't fit, but pushing and shoving kept it moving until it reached the bottom. Only about an inch was left outside the hole, and Fighting Hawk was sure that it would do the job. He stretched out the fuse and lit the end. He watched it start to burn and fizz and estimated that they had about three minutes to get back out of the tunnel. They would have plenty of time. He looked at the young man and said, "Now get out, fast!" They moved quickly through the tunnel, and were back in the house with plenty of time to spare. Fighting Hawk told everybody to stay well back from the mouth of the tunnel; they waited for the explosion. Fighting Hawk was almost sure that the fuse had gone out, but wasn't willing to risk being wrong when the explosion hit. The blast knocked everyone off their feet. Dust and small rocks had shot out of the tunnel, and buried themselves into the wood walls. The whole mountain shook and all of them sat with their ears ringing. Fighting Hawk was confused as well as stunned. He had watched a half a stick of dynamite barely move a tree stump, and the noise was loud, but not like this. There had to be some other explanation. Sara was suddenly beside him, holding him to her and crying. She kept asking him if he was all right, and then running her hands over his body, looking for anything that might be wrong. His ears were just starting to be able to hear again when he told her, "I'm fine. Get back outside and don't embarrass me again." He looked at her firmly and she smiled through her tears, and nodded her head. She kissed him and was gone. He looked around the room and saw the stunned looks looking back at him. It was the young man that had gone in with him that finally spoke, "I think that I see why you didn't want us to do it ourselves." There were nods of agreement from all around the room. Fighting Hawk wasn't smiling when he said, "It shouldn't have been like that. We shouldn't have heard much more than a loud thud. Something went wrong." Everybody looked at each other and it was Fighting Hawk that said, "Well, let's go see what happened. We won't find out anything here." They cautiously crept down the tunnel. Fighting Hawk noticed that the heat was considerably less than what it had been and the others agreed. When they reached the cave entrance, they noticed that the narrow opening had been expanded to twice what it had been. It was easy to walk through now. They all saw the side of the room where the wall had been was almost completely gone, exposing a large cavern. Off to the side was a large steam vent that released the heat of the Earth itself. Fighting Hawk watched as the steam rose and saw where the explosion had cracked the ceiling, allowing the steam to escape. He pointed it out to Running Deer and the men. They all looked as the steam rose and disappeared into the ceiling. Fighting Hawk pointed to the torch and the wavering fire showed that air was gently moving through the tunnel; joining with the steam to escape up through the mountain. He saw the thick white goo that covered most of the walls, and when he got some on his hand and sniffed it. He smelled sulfur. Holding out his hand the said, "That is why the explosion was so large. It is sulfur, just like the end of a match. The whole room must have exploded when the dynamite went off." He saw Running Deer shudder as he understood the size of what had just happened. Fighting Hawk felt himself grow a little weak with the thought of what might have happened if the cavern had been bigger. Fighting Hawk told Running Deer, "If you collect the sulfur and grind it into powder, you can pack it into tubes and it will explode just about like dynamite. And from the looks of how much you have in here, you will be able to blast your way through the whole mountain." Running Deer looked around and grinned, before he said, "We don't want to go through the whole mountain, but we would like to be able to blast through some big rock." The men laughed at his words, but nodded their heads in agreement. Fighting Hawk nodded back toward the entrance to the cavern, "Can you put a door or something there. With the vent for the steam, the heat will drop quickly. I would like to have a door there to keep people out, and the steam in." Running Deer looked for a minute then said that it would be easy. He would talk to Black Otter and they would have something in place before night. Fighting Hawk doubted it would be so easy, but decided to wait and see what happened. Running Deer told the men to start collecting the sulfur and he would send skin bags to fill. They watched the men start to work, and Fighting Hawk suggested that they cover their faces and not breathe the stuff in, if it could be helped. Running Deer and Fighting Hawk made their way back down the tunnel and into the house. They found Black Otter and a number of the other men waiting for them. Fighting Hawk found that the force of the explosion was felt all over the valley. He thought for a minute before he suggested that they send a rider to the village and let them know that everything was all right, in case anything was felt that far away. Black Otter turned to a boy and told him to ride to the village and report to Gray Eagle. The boy nodded his head and ran from the room. Running Deer explained what had happened and then he and Black Otter started discussing the wall that Fighting Hawk wanted. They disappeared for a time and when they came back Black Otter started giving instructions to his men. They scurried off on all manner of errands as the men continued to make their plans. Fighting Hawk left them with their heads together and went to retrieve Sara. As he approached the front door of the house he heard a conversation in progress and decided to see what it was all about. He heard Sara speaking courteously, but firmly to one of Black Otter's men, "I said that I'm Fighting Hawk's woman. Why do you think that I am tied to his post; and you wouldn't want me anyway? I would cut your throat while you slept. I will only serve Fighting Hawk, because he has broken me and I respect him. I don't respect any other man, and you would have to kill me, or bring me back. You can talk to him if you want, but remember this; sooner or later I will get the chance to kill you, and I will do it!" Even Fighting Hawk heard the menace in her words. He suspected that many warriors had already heard her words, and he thought that any warrior would be stupid to bring a rattle snake into his lodge. If any warrior asked about Sara, they would either have a death wish, or be just plain stupid. Fighting Hawk stepped out on the porch. The warrior turned to see who had come out and studied Fighting Hawk for a minute, before picking up his tools and moving on with his business. Sara smiled sweetly at Fighting Hawk, and stood waiting patiently for him to talk to her. "A little bit rough on him, weren't you?" Sara's smile slipped a little, but she didn't lose it completely, "Not really. I was nice the first time, but he just wouldn't go away. So I told him the truth, no need for him just hanging around when I don't want him to. Besides, I told him the truth. I would rather die than to be with anybody else." Fighting Hawk looked at her for a minute and it suddenly occurred to him. "Why do you want to be with me? There are a world of men out there, and as young as you are, you have the time to find the perfect man, why pick me?" He watched as she looked at him. He had seen that look before, and knew it was reserved for slow children that you had to explain the simplest things to. He braced himself for the voice that he knew would follow that look. "Can't you see? I love you, and not like some little girl either. I know what you think of me, but I am not just a little girl. I am a woman, and I know what I want." Fighting Hawk shook his head, "Even if you are a woman, and not just a little girl, you still didn't answer the question; why me?" He looked at her and waited for her answer. She wasn't so quick to answer this time, and she didn't use that irritating voice when she said, "I grew up watching momma doing things to men. I didn't understand why they would want to do those things. Later when Paul wanted to try them I wanted to see what it was all about, so we did them. Not everything, but we tried a few things. I liked some of the things, and some I didn't. But I did understand why momma did those things. At first I thought that she liked all of them, but then I realized that she really didn't like any of it. When I asked momma why she did them, she told me that there are things in this life that you do because you want to, and things that you do because you have to. I still didn't understand that it was just what she had to do to make money. Paul explained the things that I didn't understand, but I got it. Once we were on the way here I saw her doing those same things, but I could tell that she wanted to do it. I was confused about it, but that night when momma was showing me how to suck a man the right way and all I could think of was, I couldn't do it like she told me to. You stopped her and then you showed me something that nobody had ever shown me. We never saw any man do that with momma, and I felt like my insides were all tied in knots. But boy, when those knots let go I knew then that there was a lot more to this than I thought. I wanted to experience everything right then, but momma wouldn't let me. So I spied on you every time you were together, and did everything I could to get you to do those things to me. But, you wouldn't even look at me." She had a sad looking face and Fighting Hawk felt sorry for the way that she had felt, but he hadn't known. She shook herself and continued, "Then when we got here I thought that I would find another man that would do those things to me. That was before you took us to the village. Then I saw you with Moon Flower and Little Mule, and I really hated you then. You left momma tied to a post, with no clothes on, and made these women scream with pleasure knowing she could hear you. But it wasn't until Little Mule started to teach us Cheyenne that I made the mistake of saying that you were a mean and cruel beast that she almost tore my head off, and momma helped her! Then momma explained to me that you had told her about your wives, and I couldn't believe that she would still want to be with you. She also told me why you put her on the post, and I couldn't believe that she would do something like that. Once I realized that they all loved you, and that you didn't make them do those things I started asking Little Mule questions. She told me about the things that you did to her, and I was shocked. She explained that it was all part of being a captive, and she said that she really did ask for it. But then she told me about the wonderful things that you did, things that you didn't have to do, and that none of the other women got. She said that she didn't know what to think about you then, but when you sold her to another warrior she found out that all of the other men were just pigs. She said that was when she knew that she loved you, and she said that if she couldn't belong to you she would rather be dead. When I looked at momma I saw her nodding her head that she agreed." She took a minute to wind down a little and get a breath of air. Fighting Hawk held up a hand to signal that he wanted her to stop for a minute. He went back inside and returned with a skin of water and took the rope from the hitching post and led her toward a small clearing beside the house, out of the way of the returning workmen. When they had settled down, and she had drunk the cool water she continued her story, "I didn't say anything for a long time. That was when Moon Flower and Little Mule did something that I thought was wrong. I asked momma about it and she got this far off look on her face and she told me not to be so quick to judge. I knew then that she had done those things too. But I still didn't know what to think. When I asked Little Mule about it she said that you had taught them how to do it, and that it was how they endured your long trips away from them. Since I knew what you had done to me, I thought that you must have taught them too. When I told Little Mule she laughed and said that women had always known about that, but most men wouldn't understand women acting like that. She said that you were very different from other men. That night she took me to her blankets and I was very afraid, but she was very gentle with me. The things that we did made my head swim, and I wanted to be all hers, but she laughed again when I told her. I was crying, but she made me sit down and listen to her. She explained that I had only felt a little bit of what love felt like, and that until I was willing to give myself completely to someone, then it would always be like that. I didn't understand again. She took me to see the Stars and to see Bright Dove. They told me how much they loved you; but that they loved you even more when you allowed them to be free and to pick a husband. I didn't understand, especially the Stars that had each other, why did they need a husband?" She fidgeted around a little, until she was comfortable before she said, "I couldn't believe that they could want a man, but they said that as much as they loved each other they loved Big Cloud more. It just didn't make sense. They all tried to explain it, but no matter how much they tried, I just couldn't see it. Then Little Mule explained it very simply to me, she said that as much as she enjoyed our blanket fun that she would happily cut my throat if you asked her to. I was shocked and hurt, but she explained that she loved you completely and every bit of her belonged to you, and that if you asked it, it was yours. She said that if I didn't love her like that, then I didn't love her. She explained that was how the others felt and were trying to tell me. It was love, not just pleasure. I had not felt love, and I was just confusing the two things. Then I understood. From then on I looked for that feeling. I even allowed Little Mule to tie me naked to your post. I watched the men and boys come sniffing around like dogs. A few even made offers to Moon Flower, but she just sent them away. Every one I tried to see something in them to love, but the more that I saw the less that I felt. I finally found that I only felt the stirring in my body when I thought about you. The more I thought about you, the stronger that they got. I told Little Mule how I felt but she didn't laugh at me that time. She had a hard look on her face and she started to ask me all kinds of questions. Momma and Moon Flower then asked me when she got tired. They kept me up for days asking questions, some of them over and over, but after a while they got together and said that I was beyond hope. I was scared that I was sick or something, but they laughed and said that the only cure for me was death. I was afraid, until Moon Flower asked if I would die if you asked me to, and I didn't even think about it before I said yes. She then asked if I would cut their throats if you told me to. I had to think about it; I loved them all, but I still said that I would." She hung her head and a tear ran down her face. She wouldn't look up at him when she said, "You think that I am terrible don't you? Saying I would kill them, just to have you to myself." Fighting Hawk smiled, but she didn't see it. He moved over to her and took her in his arms. He whispered to her, "If I thought that you would do that, I wouldn't have you near me. No, you didn't understand what they were trying to tell you. Do you think any one of them wouldn't do the same thing if I told them to do it? That was what they were telling you. You were all up in the same tree." He wiped her tears from her face and lifted her head for a kiss. She threw her arms around him and he felt like she was trying to crush the life out of him. He patted her back, and she eased her grip, but she wouldn't let go. So he sat and held her. When he could get her to let go he eased her arms back down to her sides and told her, "You might be a woman inside, but the outside is still a little girl, and I have to be careful with you. I'm not sure that you can really handle the part of being with a man, without getting hurt. We might have to put that part off, until you grow up a little bit more." She snorted and gave him a tired expression when she said, "I am just as big as Raven, and she managed to do just fine. I don't want you to be gentle with me. Momma, well all of them, told me that it would hurt the first time. If you wait until it won't hurt, then I will be as old as Moon Flower before you even touch me. No, if it has to hurt; well then make it hurt and let's get it over with. I sure as hell want it to hurt like it hurt Raven. God, did you see the scrapes that she got trying to get at you?" Fighting Hawk felt the shudder that ran through her body, and there was no mistaking the smell that suddenly enveloped her body. She was breathing fast and hard. He pinched her little firm ass hard, and she squealed. When she looked up into his eyes he said, "As much as I would love to make it all pleasurable and exciting to you, they were probably right and it will hurt the first time. So don't get your hopes up." She never looked from his eyes when she answered him, "You don't understand; I don't care if all that I feel is pain, as long as I know that you are enjoying it, then I will love every minute of it. But it would be nice if there was something besides pain." The look on her face said that her brave words; were brave words. He smiled at her and took her in his arms again. This time she snuggled down in his lap and wrapped her arms around him, and pulled his head down for a kiss. He went willingly, and hoped that she wasn't as comfortable as she looked, or they might still be there in a week. Running Deer was as good as his word. By the time that night fell there was a wooden wall where the stone wall stood before. There was also a door in it that would allow the men to come in and collect sulfur from time to time. Fighting Hawk admired the work and watched as Black Otter puffed up and preened. He showed the areas that he thought were important, like the wax between the boards and at the top and bottom; just to keep the smell from seeping in he said. But Fighting Hawk was sure that it was more to impress him. Running Deer refused to be outdone and showed him the adjustable vent that would allow steam into the room to adjust the temperature. He couldn't imagine why until Running Deer and Black Otter both laughed and showed him the pool. It had cooled and was now just hot water. Fighting Hawk smiled at their joke and wondered if it would be nice to bathe in hot water. He had never bathed in anything other than a river or stream, and didn't know what he would think about it. But he found that he was interested in trying it. He smiled and slapped their shoulders and told them that they had done a great job, and he said that he doubted that anybody would have done better, especially for somebody else. They smiled and puffed up, and even slapped each other on the back as they left. Fighting Hawk watched them with amusement. After they had left Fighting Hawk brought Sara into the house and removed her rope. She watched him wistfully as he took the rope away. She stood, not knowing what to do, until he told her to get them some dinner. She happily set about her job. The women had trained her well in the general basics of living. She had them a nice dinner in a short time and waited for Fighting Hawk to return. When Fighting Hawk returned he looked the dinner over and sat down. He thought it funny that when he had brought them to the house they had all used the beds and the tables and chairs, and now Sara had moved the table and chairs out of the way and fixed dinner on the floor. She still used the fire in the stove, but everything else was on the floor. Sara sat beside him. He started to eat. He noticed that she waited and smiled. He took some food and set it before her, and she started to eat hungrily. Some warriors didn't allow the women and children to eat until they were finished and even left the fire, but Fighting Hawk had never seen the reason behind that. It was all a matter of preference anyway, and he liked to have his women eating with him. He had seen a few of the women in the village eat that he knew that he would have made wait until he had left the fire, but his women all had good manners and he didn't have a problem watching them eat. Besides, he liked to have his women with him as he enjoyed their company. When dinner was finished and Sara had cleaned up the kitchen, he motioned for her to follow him. She was quiet but an expectation filled her and made her body almost vibrate from the hunger she felt. She stayed close to him. Her hands kept reaching out and touching him of their own accord. She was so excited, but still she didn't know what to do, or what he expected of her. When she entered the bedroom she saw the bed, where it had always sat, but she also saw the pile of deer skin blankets on the floor. She looked around and saw that he had put three candles around the room. It was not bright, but there was light coming from every direction. She turned to face him and watched as he raised his arms to the side. He told her to remove his britches and she fumbled at the tie of his britches. She saw in a hurry and she couldn't make her fingers do what she wanted them to do. He placed one of his hands on hers and when she looked up at him he said, "Relax and go slowly, he have all night and there is nothing to worry about." She smiled at him and took a deep breath. Suddenly the tie fell away and she found herself eagerly pulling his britches over his legs. She had lived among the Cheyenne long enough to know that every scar on a Cheyenne's body told of honor along the path of manhood. They didn't try to get wounded, but you can't avoid every bullet, arrow or knife. She saw the scars on his body. She knew that he wasn't even six years older than she was and wondered how many battles he had seen in that time. She knew just from looking at Paul that some of them had come from learning to be a Cheyenne, but she was sure that the bullet scars didn't come from that. She saw the scars travel down his legs and giggled when she saw the ones on his ass. He looked at her when she traced one of the scars on his ass, and she asked if it was a jealous husband or lover. He didn't smile when he looked behind him and said, "No, that scar was from a bullet that missed, but it did kill my horse. He saw the surprised fear in her eyes and added, but the ones on the side of that were caused by Little Mule's finger nails; she gets a little excited some times. They both laughed at the joke, and her fear was gone. He lay down on the blanket and pulled her into his arms. Her hungry mouth found his, and he knew that this was not the kiss of any little girl, but the hot demanding kiss of a woman. There were no doubts in his mind now. As their tongues danced in each other's mouths Fighting Hawk slipped his hands down to her hard little nipples. She still only had small swellings for breasts, but her nipples were as developed as any woman. They were hard little points about the width of his little finger. They made her moan around her talented tongue. He knew that she had been getting some practice with the women. She showed the way all of them kissed in her own way. She was talented and his cock was already standing up when her hand brushed against it. She grasped it firmly and started a long steady stroking. He hadn't forgotten that there were things that she had been doing for many years, and he felt her knowing hand making the familiar movements. Her soft touch, yet firm grasp combined with her years of experience had him thrusting and grunting in a very short time. He reached down and took her hand away. She resisted him, but he pulled her wrist. He heard her moan in disappointment. He pulled her body down, breaking the kiss, and she moaned again in frustration. He smiled at her as he turned her body around. Once she understood what he was trying to do she flipped around and buried his hard throbbing cock deep in her mouth. She still couldn't get it down her throat without gagging, but she was trying. As he pulled her legs over his head he smiled, knowing that she would soon be plunging his cock deep in her throat. He knew what she needed to be able to handle it. When his hungry mouth found the large throbbing clit between her soft lips she gave a squeal of excitement and ground her wet pussy all over his face, until he could get a grip on her hips. Once he had a firm grip on her he sucked her clit into his hot mouth. She screamed once and her body froze. If she had turned to stone at that moment, she would have been a statue with the expression of ecstasy and torment, locked forever together in a moment of time. But her body needed air, and she hungrily gasped a large lung full as the waves of pleasure washed through her, forcing her hips to thrash and her legs to clamp tightly around Fighting Hawk's head. She pushed harder against his mouth, trying to get even more of her hard clit buried in his sucking mouth. She wasn't aware of any of this as her orgasm consumed her completely, and her body strove for its own pleasure. He felt the pressure ease when her pleasure crested and she began to pant and breath through the pleasurable return back to her body. He eased the pressure and violence of his attack on her throbbing clit and she eased back down to slip his hard cock back into her mouth. The tension and urgency were now gone as she languidly eased his hard cock down her throat She didn't gag or even sputter as she swallowed and he slid deep in her throat. He gritted his teeth as he felt the hot tight constriction, and then relaxed as she slowly pulled it back into her mouth. To be followed all over again with another trip back into the pleasurable vice of her throat. He knew that if he didn't slow her down he would cum soon, so to that end he buried his tongue deep into her steamy pussy hole, licking and sucking the sweet honey he found there. She only faltered for a second, but kept up the steady sucking of his hard cock. Trying a last resort he moved back down to her large sensitive clit and sucked it into his mouth, nibbling and sucking as it slid in and out of his lips. She moaned deeply, but wouldn't break the steady rhythm of his wildly throbbing cock slipping in and out of her tight throat. He knew it was useless when he felt the pressure build past the point and of no return. He latched his lips around the hard nubbin of pleasure in his mouth and sucked, as he rode the waves of ecstasy through his orgasm. Sara felt the first blast of his hard cock shoot down her throat and quickly pulled it back into her mouth. She sucked as hard as she could as her hand flashed up and down his fiery pole. Fighting Hawk's hips thrust and jerked as he tried to get more of his blasting cock back into the hot opening. Sara was trying hard to keep her movements under control as her own orgasm raged through her little body. Only Fighting Hawk's grip on her hips kept her clit in his mouth, as she bucked against him. They both eased the suction on each other as they came down from the pleasurable heights, taking time to pant as their bodies demanded air. Fighting Hawk turned Sara around and they kissed as the sticky goo covering their lips mixed together. Sara was past the point of cooling off. The raw sensations were still raging through her body. Every touch of their skin, every smell and taste of their juices all fed the raging fires of her desire. Her whimpers signaling that she needed more direct attention. He raised his hips; sliding his still hard cock against her burning slit. When she felt the intimate contact she threw back her head and growled, as she ground back against the blunt head. Watching Sara made what little softness that had crept into his cock vanish, and was replaced with throbbing excitement. He watched as she quickly raised herself over his hard fleshy pole and when she started to lower herself he saw that she didn't have the experience to get things lined up correctly, without help. He reached down and guided his cock to her hot wet opening; sliding it back and forth in her slippery juices to completely cover the head of his straining member. When she felt him seat it into the opening of her hot slit she shoved down hard and gasped when he slipped into her hot hole. She reveled in the feelings coursing through her body as she eased him in and out of the tight hole. In all of her life she had never experienced the driving desires that now took control of her body. She wanted every inch of hard throbbing cock that she could get. The stretching fullness that entered her had a hunger all of its own; and she was determined to feed it as much as she could get. Fighting Hawk watched her with her hands resting on his chest and her eyes closed, with a tight smile on her face. Each time she raised up she followed it with a violent downward plunge; going deeper as her oily juices covered his cock, an inch at a time. He wasn't sure when she rammed his cock past her virginity, but he was sure that she never felt it. Her expression never changed, it constantly had the tight little smile, and she grunted each time she drove down against him. He watched as each inch disappeared. Until there was only two inches left, then she seemed to hit a barrier. It stopped her downward movement, and Fighting Hawk felt the blunt end slam against his hard cock. He didn't mind. Sara was tighter than any women that he had ever felt, and her tight little tunnel was squeezing his wildly throbbing cock wonderfully. Sara had heard that it would hurt when it burst through the barrier, but she was determined that it wouldn't stop her. She rose and dropped hard until his hard cock slammed into the barrier. When the pain filled her she breathed heavy until it passed. She rose with more determination and slammed down again. She felt something give just a little through the pain, and started to push down ignoring the pain that she felt. Just when Fighting Hawk's hands reached her hips to stop her, his cock suddenly slipped the last two inches and he felt an opening clamp painfully around the head of his hard cock. They both froze. Fighting Hawk was concerned that she might have done some serious injury and looked at her face to see how much pain she was in. What he saw was her head tilted back with her eyes rolled back. Her body was rigid and vibrating. He was concerned for her and started to pull her off of his cock when he felt the rhythmic squeezing. When he looked more closely he saw that she was actually thrusting her hip forward and back even though the vibrations shook her whole body. He knew that even if she had done any damage, she wouldn't even know it, until she stopped cumming. He knew from the medical books that he had read that he was now lodged in her womb. He didn't know it was possible to enter the cervix without causing serious pain, but he saw that any pain she might have felt was nothing compared to the pleasure that she was now feeling. He watched as she slowly regained some measure of control over her body and opened her eyes and looked at him; she gave him a weak smile. She then leaned forward again and put her hands back on his chest. Then she rose until he felt his cock slip back through the tight entrance. Once he was back in her vagina she pushed again and he slipped back into her womb. It was easier, and each time it was easier than the last. She managed to rise and fall almost the entire length of his cock, with her body convulsing in constant orgasm. The tight passage quickly pushed him faster to the pleasurable heights of ecstasy, and as he felt the point of no return approaching he grabbed her thundering hips, and held her tight against his body as he blasted his seed deep into her quaking womb. When she felt the hot blasts from his throbbing cock she lost all control and collapsed on his heaving chest. As his softening cock slipped from her wildly clenching womb she moaned her disappointment. He felt the rush of their hot juices flowing over his tired balls as he pulled the blankets over their still convulsing bodies. They were both asleep before their bodies calmed, and their breathing slowed. When Fighting Hawk woke it was some time later. The candles had gone out and the room was dark. He gently moved Sara to her side so that he could ease himself out from under her. She awoke with a start and groaned. When he asked what was wrong she answered, "My pussy feels like it has been beaten with a club." He smiled at her words, but knew that she probably was very sore. He kissed her gently and told her to stay there and he would be back very soon. She wasn't sure she could even move and was happy to just lay there. Fighting Hawk had been gone about twenty minutes when she decided that she had to go see if everything was all right. She had just struggled to sit up when he came back through the door. He wagged his finger at her and bent down to pick her up. She clung tightly to his neck as he carried her through the kitchen and out through the door in the rear of the house. It had never been there before and since they had come back she had not noticed it. Now she was curious. He carried her down a passage lit by candles placed along the passage. When they reached the large cavern she gazed in wonder at the pool filling the center of the cavern. She didn't know what to think when he walked to the edge and sat down. He slipped his legs into the water and stood up and walked to the center of the pool and sat down, still holding Sara. She felt the hot water wash over her sore and tired body and moaned her gratitude to Fighting Hawk and her good fortune for having him taking care of her. They basked in the hot water; kissing and fondling until they felt as though they didn't have the energy to move another inch. Fighting Hawk forced himself to stand and helped Sara as they walked to the edge of the pool. He helped her out and they held each other as they sat and dried in the warm air. Each minute they felt stronger and more alive. Fighting Hawk knew that they would have to be careful of the pool; it would be easy to drown when you felt that tired and sleepy. As they walked back along the passage she watched him blow out each candle along the way. When they settled into their blankets, she cuddled up to his chest and felt his strong arms wrapped around her. She was asleep before she knew it, and Fighting Hawk smiled at her and he settled down to get some more rest for his own tired body. Over the next few days they spent their time in their blankets, in the pool or sitting at the cook fire. Each time they made love her reactions were stronger and orgasms were more intense. She was sure each time that the next one would kill her, but each time she survived and begged for more. ------- Chapter 25 Four days later they headed back to the village; Fighting Hawk was hoping to get some rest, but Sara was happily bouncing beside him, a bundle of raw energy and unsuppressed love. Fighting Hawk wondered how they did that. He was tired and felt like he had run for the past four days, and she was a bundle of energy. He marveled again at the female body, and wished that he could do the things that they did. The village was quiet, and Fighting Hawk was glad. Nobody stopped him on his way to his lodge. When Little Mule saw them she gave a shout and ran to them, jumping into his arms. He caught her and wondered how he managed to stay on his feet. After covering his face with kisses she was suddenly gone and dragging Sara with her. They disappeared behind the lodge and He knew that every moment of the last four days would pass between their lips. Well, almost all of the time; he had sworn Sara to the secret of the pool. He secretly hoped that it would take four days for the telling, but doubted it. When he entered the lodge he saw that Kelly saw sitting and nursing a baby. He smiled at her and leaned down to kiss her and his new baby girl. Kelly was very proud of her new daughter and Fighting Hawk had to admit that she looked like a very pretty baby. He sat and cuddled Kelly and the baby. She asked, "Is Sara okay?" He closed his eyes and leaned back against the stacked skins and answered, "You will see for yourself, as soon as she and Little Mule finish trading all of my secrets." She giggled and kissed his cheek, but he didn't know anything after that, as he fell into a gentle sleep. When he awoke he saw that they were no longer alone. Sara and Little Mule had joined them by snuggling up on his other side and they all lightly dozed. He couldn't figure out what had woke him as he lay back and listened. Suddenly Big Owl burst through the lodge flaps and spoke quickly, "Father, there are soldiers entering the valley from the South. Running Deer sent a rider to get you, and has sent one of his men to wear your clothes at the house." Fighting Hawk was on his feet and moving through the lodge flaps before Big Owl even finished his warning. Once outside Big Owl pointed to the horses that he had ready; they were on their backs and off through the village at a run. They rode hard and Fighting Hawk realized that his weariness had vanished in an instant, with the news of the soldiers. He suspected that he was not as tired as he had felt, but just needed activity to get his mind and body alert. As they neared the house he called to Big Owl to make sure that John and Ben were on hand. He reined to a sudden stop and bolted through the door of the house. He found Little Fox dressed in his clothes. The young man looked scared, but he also realized that he could easily pass as Tom, if the person hadn't met Tom before. He smiled at the young man, but Little Fox did not smile back. Fighting Hawk could tell that the young man was not happy about the situation, but Fighting Hawk knew it was the best that they could do with the time that they had. He knew that Little Fox had heard of his trip to Kansas City, so he quickly began filling him in on any details that he might need to pull off the switch. As Ben rushed into the house Fighting Hawk looked at him, but kept up a steady stream of details. He then nodded to Ben and told Little Fox that if he had problems that Ben, or John, could help him out. Little Fox looked relieved to hear that, but Fighting Hawk saw that the major problem was not going to be the details of the trip, but his attitude. Fighting Hawk stood back and quickly hit Little Fox in the face. Little Fox was suddenly angry and started toward Fighting Hawk before he even realized what he was doing. Once he realized who he was reaching for his hands froze and he stopped in mid-stride. Fighting Hawk smiled and nodded his head. "That's right, get mad. There are soldiers coming. Riding on your land; land that you bought and paid for. You are Tom the owner of this valley and the next one, as well as all of the Cheyenne lands. You have two hired guns waiting to do your killing for you, with a wave of your hand. You are a man of power, not a smith's apprentice. When they get here be strong and proud, like a Cheyenne warrior. Don't let them push you around, this is your land, and you did not invite them here." Little Fox smiled as he understood what Fighting Hawk was doing. He nodded his head in understanding. He stood taller and his chest pushed out as he set a calm expression on his face. Fighting Haw turned to leave, but softly added, "But please don't start a war either." Little Fox laughed as Fighting Hawk ran from the house and lightly sprang up onto his horse. He was waiting a ways from the house when Big Owl rode up to him. They watched as the soldiers made their way toward the house. When it looked like they were about the same distance, Fighting Hawk made a motion and they rode slowly toward the house. They didn't speak as they rode, but were intent on the soldiers. They arrived just as the soldiers came to a halt and Fighting Hawk noticed that the lieutenant in command was the same one that he had dealt with before. He shook his head and expected the worst. The lieutenant spoke with surprisingly good Cheyenne, "Fighting Hawk, it is good to see that you are well. I wish you a long life." It was a formal greeting, and good manners demanded a reply. Fighting Hawk look at the lieutenant as he reappraised him, he saw that he still had the soldiers bearing, but he now noticed a casual confidence that he had lacked before. He also noticed the knife that had been added to his belt and smiled. Fighting Hawk nodded slowly to the lieutenant as he said, "I thank you, and wish you a long life as well." The lieutenant then turned and addressed Little Fox, "Mister Sherman, word has reached La Junta that you had purchased this valley. We wanted to talk to you. Can we step inside?" Fighting Hawk gave a shake of his head as he lightly dropped from his horse. Little Fox was quick to understand as he turned his attention back on the young lieutenant. "No, if there is anything that you want to talk about it can be done right here, then I want you out of my valley." The lieutenant seemed surprised at the harsh attitude but tried again in a more demanding tone. "Mr. Sherman, there are some things that would be better if it were not discussed here, and I think that it would be better if we stepped inside." Before the lieutenant could start to dismount a quick wave of Little Fox's hand had both John and Ben with their pistols in hand, looking for a reason to shoot. The lieutenant froze as he saw the situation heading onto dangerous ground. He slowly eased back into his saddle and looked at Little Fox. Little Fox gave him a hard stare as he said, "I think I made myself clear, but if I didn't I will tell you again. This is my land, not yours. I didn't ask you to come here, and I didn't ask you into my house. You will stay in your saddles, or leave over them. If you try any funny business I will have my men remove your guns and tie you to your saddles and lead you back to La Junta like stray children. Now if there was something that you wanted to talk about, I suggest that you do it and get the hell out of here." The lieutenant sputtered a few times before he finally found his voice, "You can't do this; we are the army. He can go anywhere that we want!" His indignant tone, and the fact that he was almost yelling showed how close he was to losing control. Little Fox was quiet and soft spoken when he answered, "Yes, you are the army. But those pretty blue suits don't stop bullets, and when you go onto somebody else's land you had better remember that you are a guest, and now you are an uninvited guest. This is not even a state, but the Kansas Territory. You are on my land, and you ain't got much to say about anything here. So you had better remember your place or I'll take you out of that saddle and tan your hide for you." Fighting Hawk had a hard time keeping a straight face and pretending like he didn't understand what was just said. The lieutenant was still a pretty shade of purple when an older sergeant quietly rode up beside him and started whispering to him. It took a few minutes to calm him back down, but Fighting Hawk saw the lieutenant had control of himself again when he spoke. "Mister Sherman, even though I think you are rude, if you would rather talk here, then I will say what I came to say. We received the report of your land purchase, and noticed that the area covers the Cheyenne lands. We wanted to warn you that if you attempt to take that land we would not be able to help you and we suggest that you not try." Little Fox laughed, but he didn't try to make it sound like he was laughing at the lieutenant. When he spoke again it was with the same clam voice that he had kept the whole time, "Lieutenant, I get along fine with my Cheyenne neighbors. We respect each other, and they even do some work for me. I have no intension of doing anything stupid." The lieutenant looked hard at Little Fox and nodded his head, "Well, I've given you my warning. We won't help you when you get into trouble." Little Fox motioned and John and Ben smoothly returned their pistols back to their holsters, but were poised to once again spring into action. Fighting Hawk watched as the old sergeant gave a slow sigh of relief. He understood the problems of the sergeant; this lieutenant was a walking disaster. He watched as the lieutenant motioned to his men and started moving off North. Fighting Hawks eyebrows arched, but he quickly motioned to Little Fox to stay out of it. A few short words had Big Owl riding fast toward the Cheyenne village and Fighting Hawk quickly moved to place himself in the way of the army troop. Speaking in Cheyenne he firmly said, "Lieutenant, I don't know where you think that you are going, but you have to leave by the south pass." The look of the old sergeant showed Fighting Hawk that he understood Cheyenne as well as the lieutenant. The lieutenant growled, "Don't any of you understand? We are the US Army! We go where we want, when we want. Nobody tells us what we can or can't do! I will not ride back south, and waste a half a day riding over to another valley when we can just go North from here." Fighting Hawk saw the purple face scrunched up in anger, and knew that this idiot was just about to get a lot of people killed, and probably start a war in the process. "Lieutenant, let me explain something to you. Why don't you calm down and listen to me." Fighting Hawk spoke calmly and gently, but he still watched the old sergeant and hoped that he was smarter than the lieutenant. Fighting Hawk watched as the young lieutenant slowly managed to get a grip on his rampant anger. He watched as the old sergeant slowly and quietly spoke to the lieutenant. When Fighting Hawk saw the lieutenant was indeed paying attention, he tried to sound calm and soothing himself. "Lieutenant, the Cheyenne village is just beyond the North pass of the valley. The Army has agreed to stay out of the village. The Colonel has guaranteed that the Army will not start a war with the Cheyenne. If you try to move through the North pass, you will start a war. The Cheyenne people will not allow the Army in the village." Fighting Hawk watched as the lieutenant slowly started to turn red again. Fighting Hawk decided to try a different tact, "Sergeant, are the lives of your men worth this? You have about thirty men in your troop. Right now there are more than two hundred Cheyenne warriors waiting for you at the mouth of the pass. Once you are dead, there will be war, it cannot be avoided. Are you willing to be responsible for all of the deaths that will follow this act of stupidity?" The angry lieutenant was now a fiery shade of purple again. "You just don't understand, do you? Nobody tells us what to do; especially not a bunch of stupid savages with bows and arrows. We will ride through you cutting you down where you stand. A war? You don't know what a war is! We are soldiers! We are experts on war. That is what we do, we fight wars!" Fighting Hawk's eyes grew hard and cold. He slowly slipped his knife into his hand, by the blade and quickly glanced at the other troopers. The old Sergeant had big eyes and his mouth hanging open, and the others weren't any different. He moved quickly, his knife flashing through the air. With a dull thud the handle impacted hard against the lieutenant's forehead. He didn't say or do anything. He just fell off the back of his horse. Suddenly the old Sergeant flew into motion, his hand driving to his pistol. Fighting Hawk watched the motion and said, "Sergeant! Is that really what you want to do? The Lieutenant is not really hurt. Are you willing to make this worse than is has to be?" Fighting Hawk watched as he fought a battle within himself. He breathed a sigh of relief as he slowly raised his empty hand. "Thank you sergeant," Fighting Hawk smiled as he slipped from his horse and slowly made his way over to the fallen lieutenant. He retrieved his knife and slipped it back into the belt sheath. He then reached down and hefted the lieutenant and put him belly down across his horse. After mounting his own horse again he turned to the old sergeant. "I will take him to the Colonel, you take your troop back South and continue what you need to do." The old sergeant dropped his hand back to his pistol, but didn't try to take it out of the holster. "Sir, I can't leave the lieutenant here or they will skin me alive when I get back." Fighting Hawk smiled and said, "Sergeant, just tell them the truth. He was taken prisoner, and there wasn't anything that you could do about it." The old sergeant looked at Fighting Hawk, and Fighting Hawk could see the disbelief in his eyes. Fighting Hawk smiled and nodded over the sergeant's right shoulder. He watched as the sergeant looked and saw twenty Cheyenne warriors with their bows drawn. If he looked close he would have noticed that they were old warriors, but any Cheyenne warrior with a bow was a dangerous man. Fighting Hawk then nodded back toward the house and the sergeant looked over his left shoulder and saw John, Ben and Little Fox all aiming rifles at them. The old sergeant bobbed his head, "Seems like I don't have any choice in the matter, but you do realize that as your prisoner you are responsible to deliver him back to the fort. If he is dead, I don't know if it will mean war, but like you said, none of us wants war." Fighting Hawk smiled and nodded his head. "He will be alive. Maybe not in the same condition that he is now, but he will be alive." The old sergeant smiled and nodded his head. The old sergeant raised his arm and after circling it a few times he dropped his arm and started off. They made a slow and cautious turn and the old sergeant made sure to take the troop slowly in front of the old warriors. Fighting Hawk smiled. He knew that the old sergeant was making sure that every trooper knew that they were covered, and that he had no choice in leaving the lieutenant. Fighting Hawk watched Big Owl ride up after the soldiers left. He handed the reins of the horse to him and said, "Tie his hands and feet. Then get a good sized stick and tie some small rope to each end, and then gag the idiot. I don't want to have to listen to him." Big Owl nodded his head and led the horse off toward the barn. Fighting Hawk rode back toward the house. He watched as John and Ben left to do whatever they had been doing before the soldiers arrived. Little Fox watched with concern as Fighting Hawk climbed the stairs. Fighting Hawk smiled, "You did very well as a white man. How did you know how to handle the lieutenant?" Little Fox smiled at the compliment and shrugged his shoulders, "I watched my paw talk that way to the soldiers in Saint Joe, before we left in the wagon train. Paw always said that soldiers ain't got enough sense to be dangerous. He said that they were like a pack of wolves, they know how to fight, but without the lead wolf they will just run off, until they get a new leader." Fighting Hawk smiled and shook his head. "That isn't always true. You have to know if the men respect their leader. You were lucky, they didn't. But it seems that you like being a white man. I noticed you here the morning that I left for the village with my family. You seem to like spending your time with other white people. Do you want to go back to the white man's world?" Fighting Hawk watched as Little Fox's eyes quickly darted all around to see who might be listening. Fighting Hawk saw him tense up and shake his head, but before he could speak Fighting Hawk held up his hand to stop him. "Little Fox, I asked a question, and I want the truth. You will not be punished for the truth. Please tell me." Fighting Hawk watched as Little Fox moved to the steps and sat on the porch. "It's true. I like being a white man, but I like being a Cheyenne too. I love the Cheyenne people and I understand them. They are good and honest people, but I was born a white man, and I feel that I am living a lie. I know that I am not a real Cheyenne. Before you came to the Cheyenne the white boys that were taken were never really treated like a real Cheyenne. We always felt that they were just waiting for a chance to get rid of us. Once you showed them that you were a real Cheyenne, it made it easier for all of us. They stopped looking at where we came from and accepted us for what we did. That's when I became a Cheyenne." Little Fox looked at Fighting Hawk, trying to gauge his reaction. He saw nothing, and shrugged his shoulders and went on, "The night that you went back to the white man's world there were some of us that wanted to go with you. We started to think that if you could do that, then maybe we could too. Standing Buffalo and Swift arrow both came from the same wagon train as me. We have been friends a long time. We talked about it. We wouldn't just sneak away like cowards, and Grey Eagle wouldn't just let us leave. So we took jobs with Running Deer. We cut our hair and dress like white men, it isn't the same thing, but it feels good." Fighting Hawk watched and listened to Little Fox. He made a decision. "I want you to go to the smith and bring your friends back with you. I have something that I want you to do for me." Little Fox looked pointedly at Fighting Hawk, but realized that he had already put their lives in his hands. He nodded and got to his feet and moved away, and Fighting Hawk went into the house. When Little Fox got back he found Fighting Hawk sitting on the steps where he had sat. The three men stopped and waited. Fighting Hawk looked up at the three men. He could see that they were nervous, but knew that there wasn't much that he could do about that. "I have a task that I want you to do for me." Fighting Hawk reached beside him and took the three bundles that he had placed there. He pitched one to each man. "There you will find a change of clothes, a pistol and gun-belt and one hundred dollars. In the barn you will find horses. I want you to leave the Cheyenne people. I want you to go and live with the white man, work with the white man and remember what it is like to be a white man. In a year I want you to return. If you still want to live as a white man, you will be free to return to that life." Fighting Hawk looked into their eyes. He saw shock, amazement and even fear. Fighting Hawk smiled at the three young men. "You don't have to worry. This isn't some type of clever trap. If you really want to return to the ways of the white men, then I think that you should live the life that you want to live. This is just a way to see if what you remember is really true. The memories of boys are often different from the truth of men. Go and find out if this is really what you want. But I caution you that the white man will kill you if he finds out that you are Cheyenne, or that you have money. Men kill each other for far less than a hundred dollars. You must be careful. You can split up, or stay together it really doesn't matter. But no matter how you handle things you shouldn't trust the white man to easily. I want you back in one year. Now get going." Fighting Hawk waved his arm toward the barn. The three young men looked at Fighting Hawk and then to each other. They started to grin and then they ran off toward the barn. Fighting Hawk smiled as he watched them go. Fighting Hawk spoke quietly, "Would you like to go with them?" Fighting Hawk held his breath as he waited for an answer. "No. I don't have any desire to be a white man again." Fighting Hawk slowly let the breath out that he had been holding, as Big Owl stepped silently from the door. He slowly sat and asked, "How did you know that I was listening?" Fighting Hawk smiled, "Maybe I heard you breathing, or maybe I felt your presence at my back, or maybe I saw you slip around the side of the house before they got here, and know that you were curious about what was going on. " Fighting Hawk smiled and looked at Big Owl with a grin. Big Owl grinned back and whispered, "Sneaky father. I will have to remember that when I hear how great you are." Fighting Hawk laughed and said, "Please do. You must always remember that we are all just men, and nothing more. Never fall into the trap of believing what others say, especially about yourself. If I believed what people said about me, I would be ten feet tall and could walk through walls and eat bullets. No we are all just men, and false pride will get you killed." They were still talking when the three young men came riding back. They had now changed into the clothes that Fighting Hawk had given them and looked like every other white man. Fighting Hawk looked at them and nodded, "I will see you back in a year. Listen close to what you hear that will help the Cheyenne people." They nodded their heads and turned their horses to leave. Big Owl watched the three young men leave and softly asked, "Do you expect them to return?" Fighting Hawk looked at the retreating backs of the young men and replied, "Yes, if they manage to stay alive that long. They know that they can leave if that is what they want, but they will find it a strange world out there, for them. They have grown used to the Cheyenne ways; where honor and respect are a way of life. It will take them a while to realize that the white man buys and sells everything, even honor and respect. If they live I suspect that they will want to return to the Cheyenne way of life." Big Owl watched the three until they were just specks in the distance, and shook his head. "Were their lives that good that they would trade everything to go back to find it again?" Fighting Hawk smiled and shook his head. "They might have been, but you must remember that they were taken as much younger boys then I was, or that you are. We lived long enough to see and understand what the real world was like. They have memories of things shaped by the eyes of young boys. As men they will look for those things, but what they find will never live up to their memories. Don't feel too sorry for them, they will learn a valuable lesson." Fighting Hawk stood up and put his hand on Big Owl's shoulder. "Get a pack horse ready. Collect enough for five of us to travel to La Junta, and then get our weapons. Tell Big Cloud that I want him and one other warrior to travel with us. I want to leave quickly. We will be traveling fast and light." Big Owl nodded and asked about the tied up lieutenant. Fighting Hawk smiled and told him to leave him tied to his horse in the barn until they were ready to leave. Big Owl nodded and moved quickly to prepare for their departure. Fighting Hawk lightly jumped to his horse's back and rode back to the Cheyenne village. He had to talk with Grey Eagle before he would have to face his women again. He frowned at the thought of telling them he was off again. Fighting Hawk kissed each of his women and led his horse to the outskirts of the village. As he passed the lodge of Big Cloud he was suddenly attacked and knocked from his feet. His arms were filled with excited women squirming over him and kissing his face. He looked to see the Star's bright smiling faces as his horse looked amusedly down at him. He kissed each of them and then swatted each of their asses. They squealed and quickly got away from him. He smiled at them as he got back to his feet. He noticed Pretty Storm watching with an amused expression from the front of the lodge. He also noticed the young Ute captive watching from the corner of her eye as she tanned an elk hide. He watched as Pretty Storm came toward him. She had put on a few pounds in the all of the right places now that her cook pots always had enough in them. He noticed that she was still a very good looking woman, and wondered why she was still without a warrior. As she stopped before him he surprised her by stepping forward and wrapping her in his arms. He whispered so that only she could hear his words, "So, have my little treasures been keeping Big Cloud happy?" He felt her arms wrap around his neck as she pressed her body close to his. She answered as softly as he had asked, "Oh they keep him smiling all the time. When he is gone they even drag me into their furs. I had never heard of such a thing, but I can see why the women of your lodge are always smiling. When will you take me into your lodge? Must I come to you naked with a rope around my neck?" Fighting Hawk felt her stiffen in his arms waiting for him to answer, and knew that even though she had said it in jest, she was serious. "Pretty Storm, I have too many women in my lodge now. If they didn't pleasure each other I would already be dead for trying. You are a beautiful woman and you deserve much more than I could give you. Find yourself a young warrior and train him to give you the things that you need, and then never let him go. Besides, as the last women in the lodge, you would have to do all of the dirty work, and Moon Flower rules my lodge with an iron fist." Fighting Hawk smiled at her when she stepped back, and as he looked into her eyes she surprised him by once again wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him with all of the passion and love that she had in her. She felt his body respond and as she broke the kiss and stepped back again, breathing hard, she said, "When you get back this time I am coming to you with that rope around my neck. What happens to me then is up to you. Sell me, kill me or love me, it doesn't matter anymore. I will no longer live with you only in my dreams." She then turned and walked back to the lodge and slipped inside. He turned to look at the stars and saw the look of amazement on their faces. He shrugged, and shook his head and led his horse off toward the clearing just beyond the village. Fighting Hawk checked that the lieutenant was tied securely to his horse, and then lightly jumped onto his own horse before nodding to Big Owl to lead the way. Big Cloud motioned to the other warrior and he headed out to scout the trail ahead of them. Big Cloud reined his horse to ride along beside Fighting Hawk. They had ridden for a few hours before Fighting Hawk spoke, "your mother told me that when I returned from this trip she was going to strip naked and tie a rope around her neck, and present herself at my lodge. Any chance that you can talk her out of that?" Fighting Hawk looked to see what Big Cloud's face told him. He saw surprise and amusement. "No, I don't think that I can talk mother out of that. She has been working herself up to doing that for a long time. I didn't think that she had her courage up enough yet, but it looks like that I was wrong." Fighting Hawk shook his head in defeat. Big Cloud cleared his throat and softly continued, "I have tried to talk her out of this for a long time. She has had you stuck in her mind since you took me on the winter hunt. I tried to tell you when I asked about the Stars, but you didn't seem to catch on. I would appreciate that you don't kill her, but anything else, well ... She knows what she is getting in for, so if you sell her, or put her on your lodge pole, that is your business. I won't hold it against you. I have three women in my lodge. I know what you are going through, but mother refuses to listen. It's hard living up to Fighting Hawk." Fighting Hawk snorted, "Tell me about it! You should try living up to my reputation. Nobody believes that there's no end to the women that I can please, or the heights of their pleasure in my arms. Talk about crap! If the women didn't pleasure each other I would be dead inside a week." Big Cloud sagely nodded his head in agreement. They rode in silence the rest of the afternoon. When they made camp Fighting Hawk released the lieutenant from his horse and pushed him off to land on his feet, they folded and his ass made a pleasant sound to Fighting Hawk. "If one word comes out of your mouth, the gag will go back in. How you get food in there will be your problem. You understand?" Fighting Hawk looked into the hate filled eyes and waited until his head nodded. Once he untied the gag the lieutenant closed his mouth for the first time in many hours. Big Owl approached and dropped jerky, flat bread and his canteen in front of the lieutenant before he walked away. They sat and ate without a word being spoken. After they finished Fighting Hawk nodded to Big Owl and he rose and took the lieutenant into the bushes. When they got back, Big Owl retied the lieutenant's hands behind him and sat him down by the fire. He then turned and loped off into the woods. Fighting Hawk and Big Cloud curled up beside the fire and went to sleep. It was a few hours before dawn when Big Cloud kicked Fighting Hawk on the foot and took his place by the fire. Fighting Hawk stretched and nodded before he rose up and headed off for his turn at watch. With the first rays of the sun Fighting Hawk slipped quietly back into camp. He sat at the fire and put a few piece of wood on it to help get it going again. He placed the spitted rabbits over the fire and waited for the others to wake. Big Owl was the first to wake, when he smelled the rabbits cooking. He sat up and Fighting Hawk heard his stomach growl. Big Owl grinned and Fighting Hawk just smiled and shook his head. Big Cloud woke, sat up and stretched and reached for a rabbit. They had all finished their breakfast before Big Owl kicked the lieutenant's foot and helped him to sit up. He untied his hands and motioned to the last rabbit by the fire. Fighting Hawk decided that they could move faster with the lieutenant sitting on his horse, rather than draped across it. The lieutenant didn't like having his hands tied with somebody else leading his horse, but he wasn't stupid enough to complain either. Each day was like the first. They traveled quietly, made camp, ate and slept. The lieutenant had a hard time understanding how these men could go all week with only a few words spoken. The lieutenant did well at keeping his temper and mouth under control, at least until they started getting closer to the fort. His control slipped and then his temper lashed out. Fighting Hawk slowly shook his head before he forcefully shoved the gag back into his mouth. From there he lost his temper and had to be tied back across his horse. ------- Chapter 26 It was late afternoon when they rode into the fort. They could see the surprised looks from the troopers. He also saw more than a few smiles and snickers. They stopped at the Orderly room and Fighting Hawk cut the rope holding the lieutenant to the horse. With a forceful push he once again landed unceremoniously on his ass. Fighting Hawk nodded to Big Owl and Big Cloud as they stood waiting. They nodded back and went to pick up the lieutenant as Fighting Hawk lightly slipped from his horse. They followed Fighting Hawk into the office and directly into the Colonel's office without knocking. The Colonel was surprised to see them, and even shocked to the see the lieutenant tied and gagged. It was a tense moment as Fighting Hawk stared at the Colonel. Before a word was spoken William moved past the lieutenant and slipped quietly up to the Colonel's desk. Fighting Hawk and the Colonel continued to stare at each other intently. The soft voice of the Colonel spoke to William, obviously to translate. "Ask him what the Lieutenant did to deserve to be brought back like this." Fighting Hawk remained quiet as William asked in Cheyenne. Fighting Hawk did not answer immediately, but continued to meet the Colonel's gaze. Then he also spoke very quietly, but forcefully, "The Lieutenant tried to start a war between our people when he ordered his solders to ride through the Cheyenne village. When I told him that he couldn't, he told me that he was quite willing to start a war with a bunch of savages with bows and arrows." Fighting Hawk held up his Colt Patterson revolver and his rifle. "We are no longer only armed with Bows and arrows. The white man has shown us that guns are better to kill our enemies. If the Army wants a war we will call our brothers the Utes, Sioux, Pawnee and the Apache. We will run the ground red with blood. You might kill us all, but we will bleed your people dry of solders before we are done. We will kill every white; man, woman and child. After all we are just savages, we don't know any better." William eyes were big as he translated Fighting Hawk's words. Fighting Hawk motioned to Big Cloud and Big Owl and they pushed the lieutenant down beside the Colonel's desk. "Now, we go to prepare for war!" They turned to leave as the Colonel jumped to his feet talking quickly. "No, wait! We don't want a war." Fighting Hawk led Big Cloud and Big Owl from the office and out to their horses. He motioned for them to follow and led the horses over to the trading post. "Father, why did you say that we are going to war, when you don't want a war?" Fighting Hawk looked at Big Cloud and nodded. Big Cloud grinned and took a deep breath. "Look around you and see how many solders there are. Now remember that they have to protect all of the white people in our lands. They can't protect their people from each other with what they have got. The thought of a war with the Cheyenne scares them. The threat of bringing in all of the other tribes would mean that no whites survive, and it would take years and more solders than they are willing to send to take this area back. It is a tactic of war. Attackers always lose more solders than defenders, and our numbers would be so large, it would cripple them to destroy us." Big Owl thought for a minute before he said, "So why don't we do that? We could get rid of every white man in the Indian lands." Big Cloud slowly shook his head as he answered, "Because the sad truth is that they have enough people to destroy us all. It would take them years of fighting, and it would run most of the lands red with blood, but they would keep coming, and we would all die. There are just too many white men to fight against them all." Big Owl considered the words of Big Cloud. "So, father is forcing them on the defensive, to get something out of the bargain." Big Cloud smiled and nodded his head. "Any time that you have to bargain, it should always be from the best position that you can. Now the Army is in a weak position. They know that their lives here will be sacrificed along with every white in the Indian lands. It gives them great motivation not to start a war. But, like any other stick, the more that you wave it, the less that it frightens your enemy." Big Cloud spoke quietly as they climbed the steps of the trading post. As they wandered through the trading post, looking at the things for sale, William quickly rushed through the door. "Fighting Hawk, you can't just leave things like this. Think of the lives that will be lost, on both sides. You have to talk to the Colonel and try to work things out." Fighting Hawk stood still for a minute just looking around him. "There are many things that the Cheyenne could use here in the trading post; blankets, knives, guns and ammunition." Fighting Hawk turned to look meaningfully at William. The shock on William's face was plain. He knew that the trading post had orders not to allow the Indians to buy guns or ammunition. He could see this as a two sided sword. The more arms that they had, the more of a threat they were. But, they were a serious threat now, and they already had guns. He nodded his head, "Anything else?" Fighting Hawk nodded his head. "I want the Lieutenant gone. He didn't learn anything about the Cheyenne as a people when he learned the language. He is a danger to us all. If he stays, there will be war." William nodded his head. "I will talk to the Colonel, but I want you to come back with me." Fighting Hawk shook his head, "No, you will talk to the Colonel. If he agrees then I will talk to the Colonel, and we will work things out." William nodded his head and left the trading post. Big Cloud slipped to Fighting Hawk's side and whispered, "You are going to make them sell us guns?" Fighting Hawk smiled at him and said, "No, I am going to make them give us guns." Big Cloud was stunned at the boldness and didn't try to hide it from his face. Big Owl watched everything with a look of amusement. He knew that if Fighting Hawk said that he could do it, then he would make it happen. William returned in a much more dignified manner the next time. "The Colonel wishes to negotiate with you." Fighting Hawk raised an eyebrow and studied the older scout. He seemed relaxed and confident, that was a good sign. Fighting Hawk nodded his head and followed William back out of the trading post. The Colonel was considerably more agitated then William when Fighting Hawk followed him into the Colonels office. Fighting Hawk motioned to big Owl and the door, and he nodded his head and closed the door behind them. Fighting Hawk sat in the middle of the floor with Big Cloud slightly behind him at his right, and Big Owl slightly behind him at his left. The Colonel cleared his throat and sat down at his desk. Fighting Hawk cleared his throat and nodded to the floor in front of him. William quickly went to whisper in the Colonel's ear. He sat there for a minute and then stood up and moved around in front of his desk and lowered himself to the floor with a grunt. Fighting Hawk was amused to see the difficulty the older man had just to sit down on the floor. He knew that the soldiers were soft, but he realized that the only exercise the Colonel got was walking to his office each day. The Colonel started off with the major topic of the trade. "William has told me what you want. I'm not sure that I can allow the trading post to sell you guns and ammunition." Fighting Hawk smiled and said, "I never said that the trading post would have to sell us guns. I said that we could use them." Fighting Hawk saw the relief on the Colonel's face. Then he smiled to himself as he knew that it would be short lived. "What I have in mind is that the Army gives us guns and ammunition." The statement was so bold that the Colonel didn't even know how to react. He could see that even William was surprised, but he didn't let that deter him. "What I have in mind is pretty simple. Each month the Army will send to the Cheyenne village six horses, twelve blankets, six knives, three pistols and three rifles, with ammunition." Fighting Hawk sat back and watched their faces. He saw the surprise and shock set in before the Colonel's face turned red. Fighting Hawk raised his hand as he said, "Think about it Colonel. We already have guns. Where do you think that we got them? Do you think that we went to the trading post and bought them? We took them from dead white men. Almost every white man carries a gun. How long do you think that it would take for every Cheyenne to have an armload of guns?" The Colonel eyes focused on Fighting Hawk. He could see the truth of the statement, and with the constant influx of prospectors and settlers he knew that he could never control the access to the guns. Just the fact that Fighting Hawk sat before him with better guns than his solders had, was an obvious truth. The Colonel nodded his head, "Two horses, six blankets, two knives, one pistol, one rifle, two pounds of shot and ten pounds of powder." Fighting Hawk smiled, "Four horses, nine blankets, six knives, three pistols, two rifles, six pounds of shot and thirty pounds of powder." The Colonel shook his head. "Three horses, nine blankets, four knives, two pistols, one rifle, four pounds of shot and fifteen pounds of powder. Fighting Hawk smiled and leaned close to the Colonel, "Three horses, ten blankets, five knives, two pistols, one rifle, five pounds of shot, fifteen pounds of powder and two cows." The Colonel looked stunned. William was shocked and neither knew what to say. It was William that found his wits first, "Did you say two cows?" Fighting Hawk smiled and nodded his head. He raised two fingers and confirmed that he did say cows. William and the Colonel went immediately into a huddle with furious whispering back and forth. William asked, "Why cows?" Fighting Hawk let out a large sigh and slowly shook his head. "The buffalo hunters slaughter huge herds of buffalo every day. The settlers hunt the deer and elk, and now the white men seeking gold butcher anything that moves. They take only what they can eat. They don't jerk the meat, and the leave the hide to rot. Then the next day, they do the same thing again. They are killing all of the meat of the Cheyenne. Soon we will have to eat white men, because that will be all there is left." Both the men looked shocked. They looked at each other and once again they went into a huddle whispering furiously. When they came up for air William said, "I think that we have an agreement, if you can accept two horses, ten blankets, five knives, two pistols, one rifle, five pounds of shot, fifteen pounds of powder and two cows. And we will do what we can to stop the slaughter of the animals by the prospectors." Fighting Hawk sat thoughtfully for a moment before he said, "I think that we do have an agreement, if you also lift the ban on selling guns and ammunition to the Cheyenne. What you do with the others is still your business. But all trading posts will be allowed to sell to the Cheyenne." Once again William went into a huddle. It wasn't long before William smiled and nodded his head. "We have a deal. The Army will lift the ban on selling guns and ammunition to the Cheyenne only, but you have to promise that you won't trade guns to the other tribes." Fighting Hawk shrugged and shook his head. "If they want guns, they will take them from white men. They won't trade for them." The Colonel was stunned at the simple declaration. He didn't want to believe that it was true, but suspected that it was the truth. Why would you want to trade for something that you could take from any dead white man? And right now there were so many white men running around looking for gold and causing trouble he was sure that no Indian would have to walk far to find a gun. The Colonel asked, "So, do you want to put this in writing, or smoke a peace pipe or something?" Fighting Hawk stared at the Colonel for a long time. "Colonel you have been listening to too many lies about Indians. We don't smoke peace pipes, and we don't have a need to put anything on paper. If you don't live up to your word, we will come here and kill all of you. Don't believe that this is not serious Colonel. When you break your word it is a declaration of war." The Colonel sat considering his words for a long moment. "We can't have this agreement in place forever. Each year we will need to negotiate again. One time, I don't know when, we will refuse to pay. I hope that we both will be able to live with each other without war, but I doubt that when I am replaced the new commander will be smart enough to deal with you." Fighting Hawk nodded his head, "It is agreed. You will talk again with the War Chief of the Cheyenne in a year. I will not be that War Chief." The Colonel was surprised. He sputtered a few times before he said, "Who will be the new War Chief? Will he honor the agreements that we have made here today?" Fighting Hawk smiled and nodded his head. "Yes, Big Cloud will honor the agreements." With a sweep of his hand he motioned to Big Cloud, who was as stunned as the white men. He would not embarrass Fighting Hawk by saying anything in front of them, but he was sure that they would have a few words later. Big Cloud stood up and took a step forward and sat beside Fighting Hawk. It was a statement of his position, and his demand for respect. The Colonel looked at Big Cloud and saw the same iron resolve and intense passion that marked Fighting Hawk as a leader. The Colonel nodded to Big Cloud, "It will be an honor to deal with Big Cloud. He has traveled at Fighting Hawk's side many times to visit the fort. I know that the Cheyenne will be in good hands." The Colonel then addressed Fighting Hawk, "But, what will happen to Fighting Hawk?" Fighting Hawk looked at the Colonel and noticed that Big Cloud also seemed to be interested in his words. "Fighting Hawk has been summoned to the land of the spirits again. He will be the Spirit Walker of the Cheyenne people. He will listen to the spirit voices of the dead Cheyenne leaders and advise Gray Eagle and Big Cloud of their words." The Colonel and even William looked decidedly uncomfortable. Fighting Hawk smiled to himself. As the War Chief he decided if there would be war, or not. As the Spirit Walker of the Cheyenne he could have control over everything that happened to the Cheyenne people. If his reputation was strong enough, the other tribes might even consult with him. He had suddenly become a very dangerous man. ------- Chapter 27: The Spirit Guide Big Cloud was stomping around the camp fire. He had been simmering all afternoon and Fighting Hawk knew that he would blow soon. Fighting Hawk had told Big Owl to watch him, and all day he had seen the anger building. He wasn't sure what he would do, but he was interested to find out. As they sat down by the fire to eat Big Cloud blew up. "Why did you make me War Chief? I'm not good enough to be the War Chief, and I didn't want it. Now you have made me responsible for getting everybody killed. How am I supposed to live with that?" Fighting Hawk reached over to take one of the rabbits off of the fire and started to eat. Between mouthfuls of rabbit he said, "What makes you think that I ever wanted the job? What makes you think that I liked being responsible for getting people killed? You can't stop people from dying. Learn to live with that fact now. If you want to keep people alive then learn to think of ways to do that. You have ridden at my side for a long time. You have seen the things that I did right, and the things that I did wrong. Learn from both of them. The best way to keep people alive is not to get into a war, but don't run from a fight. You already know everything that you need to be a good War Chief. Just believe that I know what I am doing. Don't let me down as I am depending on you to keep the Cheyenne people safe." Big Cloud felt the air rush out of his lungs. He felt the anger go with it. "You are leaving again, aren't you?" Fighting Hawk smiled. "Yes, but not right away. I have thought of some things that I need to do, and I have to go and do them. I can't be the War Chief and keep disappearing. The problems with the Utes were a direct example of that. They believed that the Cheyenne were disorganized from the loss of the War Chief, and wanted to take advantage of that. We can't let others believe that we are weak. So I wanted everybody to know that a new War Chief existed, and that Fighting Hawk was still around to give advice. It should help keep trouble away from the village." Big Cloud listened and couldn't help seeing the logic of the argument. "But why did you have to pick me?" Fighting Hawk smiled and put his hand on his shoulder, "Because you can do the job, and you didn't want the job." He noticed that Big Cloud looked confused, and told him to just relax and think about it for a while. He then turned over and went to sleep. He was not woken for a patrol that night and figured that Big Cloud was doing some serious thinking. The Cheyenne village was peaceful and calm when they arrived. Big Cloud turned off at his lodge and you could hear the squeals of the girls when he entered the lodge. Fighting Hawk and Big Owl smiled knowingly to each other as they continued on toward the lodge of Gray Eagle. Fighting Hawk had decided that it would be best to tell Gray Eagle of his decisions before he heard the news from somebody else. After sitting at the fire he coughed respectfully, to announce his presence. Little Eagle flew out of the lodge and into his arms. "Fighting Hawk, you're back." Fighting Hawk smiled at the little toddler. "Yep; I just got back and I came to see you first. Have you been protecting the village while I've been away?" He watched and Little Eagle nodded his head solemnly, and smiled at him. Water Lilly came through the lodge flap and smiled broadly at the scene. She cleared her throat and sternly said, "What have I told you about running out of the lodge without looking first to see who was here? Fighting Hawk could have had somebody very important with him, and then what would you have done?" Little Eagle thought for a second, shrugged his shoulders and said, "Just what I did." Fighting Hawk laughed at the simple logic, but Water Lilly frowned at the little boy. She pulled Little Eagle from Fighting Hawk's lap and lightly swatted him on the butt as she guided him back inside the lodge. "Well that is not the way to greet important people, and you should remember that." Fighting Hawk looked at Big Owl and they both laughed. Gray Eagle joined them at the fire and looked questioningly at the pair. "So where have you been? You didn't tell anybody that you were leaving." Fighting Hawk looked at the ground for a moment before he answered, "We had to take the Army Lieutenant back to the fort. He was trying to cause some trouble, and I thought it best to confront the Army before they started to get any ideas." Gray Eagle nodded his head, "Yes I heard what happened. What happened at the fort?" Fighting Hawk was not as happy telling this part. "Well basically I confronted the Army Colonel, and told him that if he really wanted a war that we would give him one. We then pitched the lieutenant on his ass on the Colonel's floor and walked out." Gray Eagle looked shocked for a minute as he tried to understand what he just heard. "But, you didn't leave it like that? You know that we don't want a war." Fighting Hawk frowned at Gray Eagle. "Of course not, I let them chase me down and talk me out of it. You have to understand father, they know if there is a war then all the whites will die and that means that they will die first. Where they probably don't care about a war, they do care about their own lives. They don't want a war just for that reason." Gray Eagle thought for a minute and nodded to show that he understood. "There is something else. I didn't just promise them a war. I promised them a war that would destroy most of their Army. I told them I would summon the Utes, Sioux, Pawnee and even the Apache to the far south. I promised them a war that would bleed their Army until they had no Army left." Fighting Hawk looked grim as he told of the death and destruction that he promised for both sides. Gray Eagle was also grim as he listened. "I do not know if the call to war would be honored by the other nations; even if it did come from the great Fighting Hawk. Stories of your greatness have spread to the other tribes, but I am not sure if they would risk their warriors in a war like this." Fighting Hawk smiled and nodded his head. "I agree father, and I would think very hard before I would make such a call. But if the Army pushes us hard enough, I will make the call, and see who answers. The Cheyenne will not be forgotten if the whites push for war." Gray Eagle nodded his head. "It will be a sad day if you make that call, but I will stand beside you during the battle and we will face the end of the Cheyenne together." Fighting Hawk smiled and clasped Gray Eagle's shoulders fondly. "We aren't there yet, and I hope that day never comes. But if it does, I will be honored to have you at my side." They looked at each other with misty eyes. Fighting Hawk cleared his throat and continued, "But I will not be leading that war. As a matter of fact I won't be leading any more fighting. I have stepped down as War Chief." Gray Eagle was stunned and actually sputtered as he spoke, "You can't do that. The Cheyenne people would never allow it; they want you as their War Chief. And I don't want to be the War Chief again." Fighting Hawk started laughing and had a hard time getting himself back under control. "It seems that it is not a popular job. The person that I gave the job to had the same objections, but I didn't listen to him either. But it can't be helped. I need to leave again and I can't leave the Cheyenne without a War Chief. If I do another situation like what happened with the Utes will show up again. We can't look weak in front of our enemies. Besides I have a new job now." Gray Eagle looked hard at Fighting Hawk before he said, "They will never follow Big Owl. He is too young, even if he has been trained by you. They will need somebody that they trust. And what job are you talking about, are you going to be the Chief now and let me retire to tan hides with old Pony Walk?' Fighting Hawk laughed again, "No father, I am not going to be the Chief. Hopefully I will never have to shoulder that responsibility. I have named Big Cloud as the War Chief, and I am going to be the Spirit Walker of the Cheyenne people. I feel the spirits calling me again and I have to go among them. I explained this to the Army Colonel, and he now fears me even more than he did as the War Chief. I explained that I would talk with the old leaders of the Cheyenne and advise you and Big Cloud on what I thought should be done. It was the only way that I could see how I could disappear for periods of time without attracting attention. Besides it only adds to the mystery of Fighting Hawk." Gray Eagle stared at Fighting Hawk for a long time. He nodded his head and said, "Big Cloud will be a good War Chief and with you naming him, I think that they will accept him. I have never heard of a Spirit Walker, but it sounds good, and it will allow you to disappear without drawing attention. I think I understand what you are trying to do. So you will be leaving again?" "Yes father. It will be soon, but there are things that I must do first." Grey Eagle nodded his head. He didn't look happy, but he was resigned to the fact that it had to be done. "I will miss you. You seem to spend more time away from the village than you are here." Fighting Hawk smiled, "It does seem that way father, but I hope that it is something that will change soon. I look forward to being a simple Cheyenne warrior." Gray Eagle scoffed at the very thought, before he snorted to himself and said under his breath, "I won't live to see that day." Fighting Hawk turned to Big Owl and said, "We should be going to our lodges. We have women waiting for us." Big Owl smiled as he laughed, "Yes father, but it won't take me near the time to see to mine that yours will take you." Fighting Hawk saw the grin on his face and the playful set of his head and smiled at him in return. "I wouldn't be too sure of that. Wood Sparrow probably has a large number of things that you need to do, she might even have a cow to send you out to milk." Fighting Hawk noticed that both of them stopped laughing when he talked about the cow. Gray Eagle growled as he said, "You have brought so many cows into the Cheyenne village, but it seems strange that there isn't one behind your lodge. Maybe we should get you a cow." Fighting Hawk smiled and said, "But father, you know that I am never in the village. Why would you want my women to have to care of a cow? Besides I get all of the butter and cheese that I need from mother. If you would like, I will have that cow moved down into the valley with the others." There was a definite noise from Gray Eagle's lodge, followed by a very soft voice, "You would have a long walk each day husband, be careful what you say." Fighting Hawk saw the look on Gray Eagle's face and couldn't help himself as he snickered. Gray Eagle growled as he stood up. "Excuse me. I have to go milk a cow. It seems your mother has developed a taste for butter and cheese." Fighting Hawk was laughing as Gray Eagle stomped away, with a bucket in hand. He turned to Big Owl and said, "And you're next son, if you believe that you run your own lodge. That girl had you tied and branded the moment you put her over that stump in the middle of the village. You had better never forget that. There are things that you can do, but she runs your lodge." Big Owl frowned as he thought about that. He didn't answer but he did nod that he understood the words that Fighting Hawk said. They stood and clasped forearms, and then each went a different direction. Fighting Hawk walked through the village, nodding to the people that called to him. As he approached his lodge Little Mule was the first to see him and was off at a run. He saw the look in her eyes as she leapt for him and caught her as her arms went around his neck. As he swung her around he saw the others coming at a run behind her. After he had been suitably kissed and groped, they made their way toward the lodge. He suspected the groping was Sara and Little Mule, but he wouldn't put it past the others. Fighting Hawk was surprised to see Raven and Pretty Storm both naked and working beside the lodge. He looked to Moon Flower, "When did she show up?" Moon Flower had a scowl on her face when she answered, "She showed up about three days ago, and said that she couldn't wait any longer for you to get back. I left the rope on her neck until you decide what to do with her. Are you going to keep her?" Fighting Hawk frowned and thought about it for a minute. "I don't know yet. There are things that we all need to talk about. After that we will decide the fate of both of them." Fighting Hawk turned and walked into his lodge. Moon Flower thought about his words before she had a frown on her face. She motioned the others to her and told them what was said. None of them looked happy as they went back to their work. As Fighting Hawk sat at the cook fire, he motioned to Moon Flower. "Prepare a big meal. After the meal I want all of the women here, even Raven and Pretty Storm. What I have to say will affect them as well." Moon Flower nodded her head and started the preparations for a big meal. She called each of the women to her and assigned a task for the meal. Fighting Hawk leaned back and was gloriously stuffed. Moon Flower had shown her abilities in a grand meal. All of them were leaning back and enjoying themselves; Moon Flower because her growing stomach wouldn't let her sit any other way, and the others because they were just as stuffed as Fighting Hawk. Fighting Hawk smiled at his women, "There is something that you need to know. It will not be good news, but that can't be helped. You should know that I am no longer the War Chief of the Cheyenne." He looked around as he heard the gasps of surprise. It was Moon Flower that had the hard edge to her voice, "Who challenged you for the right to be War Chief?" Fighting Hawk was amused at her attitude. It looked like she was willing to go and challenge the warrior herself, waddling and pregnant. He snickered as he thought of her fighting a warrior with her protruding belly leading the attack. "Nobody challenged me, and there was no fight. I stepped down and named a new War Chief." He slowly turned and looked at Pretty Storm as he said, "As a matter of fact, I named Big Cloud as the new War Chief of the Cheyenne people." He watched as the news slowly registered to her. Her eyes got big and she gasped. Fighting Hawk smiled as she realized that her son was the new War Chief. He watched as she straightened up proudly. Fighting Hawk leaned close to her and whispered, "I told you once, troublesome boys are meant for great things." She had tears on her face and whispered back, "Only when they have Fighting Hawk to guide them into manhood." He shrugged his shoulders without making a comment. He looked to each of the women, none of their faces held any anger or hatred. He was happy to see that. He did notice a few concerned looks. Little Mule spoke up, "Fighting Hawk, why would you just step down? Does that mean that you will be spending more time with us?" He noticed that she looked hopeful. Fighting Hawk smiled at her. "For a while I will be spending time with you. Then I will have to start doing the duties of my new position as Spirit Walker to the Cheyenne people." He watched as they all looked amazed, with the exception of Moon Flower and Pretty Storm. Both of them frowned and looked concerned. It was Moon Flower that spoke just before Pretty Storm, "Fighting Hawk, I have never heard of a Spirit Walker. I was born in this village and I know there are many things that I don't know, but I think that I would have heard of this person." He watched as Pretty Storm was nodding her head. It made the other women look at them and back at him in confusion. He smiled and nodded his head. "Yes, I am the first Spirit Walker. But it is something that I needed to do. You see, when Fighting Hawk died to go among the white man our enemies thought us disorganized and weak. We were attacked. I have to once again go among the whites, but this time I will not die. I will be gone on a Spirit Walk. The Cheyenne people still have a good War Chief, and our enemies will still fear our strength. They will also fear the advice of the Spirit Walker to our Chief and War Chief. It will make us stronger in the eyes of our enemies." It was Little Mule that was the first to speak again. She had tears in her eyes this time, "You are going away again? We want you here with us. Don't you love us at all?" He watched the tears flow, but knew that she was speaking with her heart. As he looked around at the women he saw the same look in each face. His voice was sharp and strong, "Stop that!" He watched as each woman's eyes snapped to his. He held fire in his eyes. When he saw that he had their attention he continued in a soft tone, "Yes, I love each of you very much. But I love the Cheyenne people too, and I have a duty to them, and to you. By keeping all Cheyenne safe, I am keeping you safe. Yes, I would rather stay here and hunt and spend my time loving each of you. But I can't do that. I have to go out and be a white man again. There are things that I need to do to try to save the Cheyenne people. Do you not want your children safe?" Fighting Hawk looked at each face. He saw that even though they desperately wanted him to stay with them, they knew that he spoke the truth. He watched as each of them nodded her head, even though most wouldn't look him in the eye when she did it. Fighting Hawk took a deep breath before he continued, "I will be gone a long time; maybe as much as a year. I will have things that I want you to do while I am gone. But before that time comes, there are things that I need to do, so we will have some time together. This is where each of you need to make a decision; do you wish to remain my woman, or do you want me to find another man who will always be there for you?" Fighting Hawk raised his hand to stop the answers that he knew would come. He turned to Pretty Storm and removed the rope from her neck. He put it in her hand and told her, "Return to Big Cloud. Speak with him and decide if you want spend that kind of time waiting for me, with no guarantees. If you still wish to wait me out, then you may have Big Cloud lead you back. He turned to Moon Flower, "Take Raven to Water Lilly. Make sure that she understands what is at stake. If she wants I will sell her." Moon Flower nodded her head. Fighting Hawk then sighed. "I will sleep alone in my blankets until each of you has made her decision. Only once all of you decide will any woman be allowed back in my blankets. Fighting Hawk rose from the cook fire and entered the lodge. He lay down in his blankets and slowly drifted off to sleep listening to the soft voices of his women as they sat at the cook fire outside the lodge. Before the sun was up Fighting Hawk was slipping quietly from the lodge. He saw Raven curled up on a blanket beside the lodge post. He smiled as he slipped back inside the lodge. Her eyes snapped open as she felt the soft fur of the rabbit skin blanket. Fighting Hawk smiled at her as he covered her. She watched as he quickly lopped off towards the woods, and she had a smile on her face as she closed her eyes again. It was mid-morning when Fighting Hawk returned with a buck across his shoulders. He was sweating and he looked tired. He smiled as he dropped the buck beside the skinning rack. Moon Flower smiled at him as she called the women over. Fighting Hawk was always amazed as they made short work of the deer. No matter how many times that he watched he was sure that there was some form of magic involved. He had never been able to work as fast as the women seemed able to. He shook his head as he headed to the river to wash. As he sat beside the cook fires he was surprised to see Big Cloud leading Pretty Storm back to his lodge. He shook his head sadly as he wondered what could possibly possess somebody to willingly put themselves through so much, with no guarantee of a return. He realized that he wasn't much better, but hoped that nobody else realized that. As Big Cloud sat at the cook fire Pretty Storm knelt at his feet. Big Cloud softly spoke, "Mother has convinced me that she wants to be in your lodge, even if you aren't there. She feels that you are the only warrior that she wants to serve. I have tried to talk her out of this foolishness, but you know my mother." Fighting Hawk was not surprised when Pretty Storm slapped his leg. It was a solid enough hit that even Fighting Hawk Flinched. Big Cloud just growled at her and she smiled sweetly at him. Fighting Hawk knew that he had lost this battle, so he decided to have a little fun of his own. "What? The great War Chief can't even control one little woman? It must be a humbling experience." Big Cloud growled again and glared at Fighting Hawk. "Hey I never wanted this job, but you stuck me with it, and if you think that you are so good at controlling one little woman then why don't you try sending her home." Big Cloud sneered at Fighting Hawk. Fighting Hawk smiled sweetly and told him, "I did send her home, and she went. Now you have brought her back. It seems that you can't even run your own lodge." Big Cloud just hung his head and his shoulders slumped. He nodded his head and quietly said, "You're right. I don't have a clue what is going on in my own lodge half of the time." Fighting Hawk smiled at him before he turned his attention to Pretty Storm, "Go and find Moon Flower and hand her your rope. She will put you to work." He watched as she got to her feet. She bent down and kissed Big Cloud on the cheek, and then leaned over and kissed Fighting Hawk on the cheek before she happily scampered away. Fighting Hawk smiled at her retreating naked ass. He turned his attention back to Big Cloud, "Now that she is gone I will tell you a secret. I don't have a clue what happens in my lodge either. Any real man doesn't, and if any of them tell you that they do then you had better check and see if his women are still alive. Moon Flower runs my lodge with an iron fist, and she will even tell me what to do some of the time. You just have to learn that when you growl, make sure that you growl for the right reason and enforce it. Everything else, let them handle it themselves. You will have a say about what is important, and you will never have to worry about the things that aren't." Big Cloud listened raptly and nodded his head. The thought for a while before he said, "That still wouldn't have helped with mother." Fighting Hawk just smiled and said, "I told you to worry about the things that you can do something about. We both were going to lose that one from the start. Learn when it is better not to fight about it." Big Cloud looked amazed at Fighting Hawk before he burst out laughing. He was still laughing when he left the cook fire. As the afternoon progressed Fighting Hawk saw each of his women sit down at the cook fire and each of them said the same thing. He was amazed that they would rather spend their life waiting for him than have another man. Fighting Hawk nodded his acceptance to each one as he listened. He didn't understand it, but he accepted it. He was most surprised when Moon Flower led Raven back and told him that Raven had chosen to stay with him. It was another confusing turn of events, but there wasn't anything that he could do about it. That night at the cook fire he made his announcement. "You have all said that you wish to stay with me. I don't deserve your loyalty. I do not know how long I will be gone, and I will not hold you to your word. If another catches your eye while I am away, I will understand. If any of you decides that you want to seek your happiness with another, I will wish you only good fortune. This will be a terrible time for all of us, but much worse for you. Consider my words well, and know that you can always seek to be happy." Fighting Hawk looked into each pair of eyes, but only saw determination and confidence. He hoped that they understood the meaning of his words as he only wanted the best for them. "Okay if you are sure about what you want, then you had better start getting your things together when the sun comes up. We will be moving into the southern valley tomorrow. Until I leave we will live in the house, and after I am gone you will continue to live there. It will be our new lodge." When Fighting Hawk looked into their eyes this time he didn't see the confidence that he had seen before, and he smiled. Change was never made without uncertainty. The butterflies in his own stomach felt as large as the hawks he was named for. He saw that the confidence that he gave them eased their fears, or at least they hid it better. That night Raven and Pretty Storm were allowed into his blankets. He felt that if they were willing to wait for him, they deserved to know what they were waiting for. Fighting Hawk knew that Pretty Storm was well aware what living in his lodge would be like, since she had lived with the Stars. Raven had seen what went on, but there was a difference between seeing and feeling. He pulled Raven to him and kissed her with as much passion as he could express while he held and caressed Pretty Storm. He felt the heat of the women rise as he changed from first one to the next. He felt it jump even higher when he guided Pretty Storm to kiss Raven. Both women moaned into the others' mouth. Fighting Hawk smiled at them as he worked his way down to Raven's sparsely covered mound. He knew when he reached her little button by the squeal that she made. He was happy that Pretty Storm had her mouth covered, or the entire village might have been informed. He wasn't sure that even having Pretty Storm covering her mouth would be enough when he sucked her button into his mouth and started to gently chew on it. She screamed and started to shake as her little pussy started squirting her juices over his neck and chest. He heard the gasp from the other women as they saw the river of juices. It was more than Sara could take and she dove beside him and started to lick them up. Fighting Hawk didn't mind as he kept up the assault on her love button. He was having a hard time holding her down as she was trying to buck him off of her. He was glad that Pretty Storm was helping to hold her down. When she suddenly stopped and dropped to the blankets, Fighting Hawk gently eased her love button from his mouth with a soft kiss. He watched as even unconscious she still shuddered at the delicate touch. He was not so gentle with Pretty Storm when he grabbed her and pulled her to him so that he could give her a similar attack. Where she enjoyed it as much, she didn't squirt her juices or lose consciousness. She wasn't a screamer but Fighting Hawk felt her try to pull out his hair, and he now knew why old men were mostly bald. When the pressure eased he slipped up on her and slipped easily into her tight sheath. They both moaned their satisfaction. As he started the slow easy strokes that his women liked he heard Pretty Storm whisper in his ear, "Please let me be on top. I had never been there, and it thrills me so much; just this once?" Fighting Hawk smiled at her and then quickly rolled them over. Pretty Storm suddenly found herself on top of a man for the first time. She squealed her excitement and started to explore the new sensations she could get as she moved. Fighting Hawk smiled at the light that suddenly filled her eyes. She looked at him with the hunger of an excited badger, and he wasn't sure if she didn't have the claws to match. He calmly lay there and watched her as she quickly drove herself from one peak to the next; higher and higher until she only sat and babbled. Fighting Hawk watched as Moon Flower came over and gently pulled her away so that she could wrap her in her blankets. Fighting Hawk watched as she just moaned and shivered in her blankets. Raven had been watching and he saw her eyeing his still hard cock. He smiled and nodded to her. She was quick to get in the same position that Pretty Storm had just left. He watched as she had trouble trying to line up his pleasure tool with her wet mound. Moon Flower once again came to assist. She gently eased the frantic girl's hand away from the throbbing cock and took it in her own hand. She then guided the anxious girl to the right position. Fighting Hawk gasped as her hot, wet opening suddenly engulfed his excited staff. He couldn't seem to get enough air into his lungs as he felt the tight constriction quickly plummet down his shaft. He looked to see Raven's eyes roll up into her head just before she screamed. That broke the spell allowing him to breathe. He watched as she experimented with what felt good to her and was quickly riding and thrusting like an old hand. He smiled at her but she never saw. She was lost in her own world of sensations and pleasure. Fighting Hawk looked around to see Kelly and Moon Flower cuddling and watching Raven. Little Mule and Sara on the other hand were much too involved with their own pleasure to notice the unimportant things. Fighting Hawk smiled at the pleasure that his women gave him, as he felt himself climbing toward a tremendous climax. He didn't know who would want to ride him next but he felt sure that before the night was over he would be ridden hard and put away wet. At least he hoped that he would. Fighting Hawk watched the activity in the lodge as the sun peeked into the open lodge flap. They had almost everything ready to move. He knew it wasn't a difficult task as most warriors had little possessions that weren't related to hunting or war. ------- Chapter 28 As they stepped from the lodge Fighting Hawk noticed that there was a visitor sitting at the cook fire. He looked at them with a critical eye as he put another small branch on the fire. Fighting Hawk smiled and bowed respectfully. He heard a few gasps and knew that it was Moon Flower and Pretty Storm. They were probably the only ones that knew who the visitor was. "Thundering Buffalo, it is unusual to see the 'Shaman' so far from the spirit lodge. I am honored to have you at my fire. May I offer you food or drink?" Fighting Hawk sat and watched the old man's eyes carefully. He had no official power in the village, but official and reality were two different things. His power was just as real as Gray Eagle. "You are most kind. For a long time I have watched Fighting Hawk. He is good to the Cheyenne people. Widows and orphans are well taken care of. The old warriors hold their heads up once again. The Cheyenne people are once again strong. The other villages work hard to live up to the deeds of Fighting Hawk. When I visit the villages I see good things." He nodded his head toward the women packing things onto the horses. "You seem to be preparing for a trip. Maybe the news that I have heard is true?" Fighting Hawk suspected that he was now hearing the real reason for the visit. It would be impolite not to discuss current events before telling of his reason to visit. He was surprised that everything that was said was about him, but suspected that the worse the news, the more the old man wanted him to look good. It would help soften the blow. He was starting to suspect the worst. "We are traveling to the Southern valley. I will be leaving soon and I wanted my women living in the house in the valley. I might be gone for a long time and I wanted them safe." The old man nodded his head. "Yes, they will be very safe there. That is the reason that I have come to see you. It is time to come to the Spirit Lodge. You will come now." The old man slowly stood and Fighting Hawk offered his arm to assist him. The old man smiled and gently took his arm and slowly rose to his stooped height. He didn't look back as he slowly started shuffling away. Fighting Hawk turned to the women and motioned Moon Flower to him. She had been expecting something and was alert to his motion. "I had been summoned to the Spirit Lodge. Continue the move and I will see you when I can get there." She nodded her head and left to keep the other women moving. Fighting Hawk motioned to Sara. She came quickly to him, "I will not be coming with you to the house. I want you to keep everyone out of the cave. I want to keep what is there for a surprise." He smiled at her and she grinned back, as her smile faded she asked, "But what if mother, or Moon Flower, demands to go in there?" Fighting Hawk looked at her before he answered, "Are you Fighting Hawk's woman, or a little girl?" She got a determined look on her face as she stood straighter. She nodded her head and softly said, "I am Fighting Hawk's woman, and it will be as Fighting Hawk says." Fighting Hawk smiled and kissed her forehead. He turned and quickly caught up with Thundering Buffalo. He walked slowly and positioned himself slightly behind Thundering Buffalo, as a sign of respect. Fighting Hawk thought that it took a long time to get across the village, but realized that Thundering Buffalo was going as fast as he could. He wondered about being that old. He wondered if he would ever be that old. He wasn't sure if he ever wanted to be that old. When they got to the Spirit Lodge Thundering Buffalo didn't stop outside, but immediately opened the lodge flaps and led the way inside. He motioned to the cook fire and told Fighting Hawk to sit and make himself comfortable. Fighting Hawk nodded his thanks and lowered himself to sit beside the fire. Thundering Buffalo called his assistants to him. Fighting Hawk had seen the two around the village, but had never really paid them much attention, like many of the young men. "This is Stalking Wolf," Thundering Buffalo said, as he placed his hand on the older young man's shoulder. Fighting Hawk could see that this young man was clearly a warrior and probably older than he was. He smiled and nodded respectfully to the young man. He also noticed that his eyes held a flinty look. It was almost like the look some warriors got before a battle. Fighting Hawk frowned as he realized that it was almost like the look that he remembered from some of the people on the wagon train. He remembered the blind religious belief that demanded complete obedience from everyone. He wondered if Stalking Wolf was that kind of person, and wondered if he was a danger to the village. Thundering Buffalo then placed his boney hand on the other young man and there was little doubt that this was only a boy, and he doubted that he had been named. "This is Silent Wind, and he is anything but silent." Fighting Hawk smiled at the obviously embarrassed young man. As Fighting Hawk grinned at him it became infectious and the young man was quickly grinning back at him. Fighting Hawk saw in his eyes the same worshipful expression that the other young boys of the village had. He knew that this young man had dreams that still involved hunting and fighting. He wasn't sure which was better. Thundering Buffalo sent the young men back to their work. Fighting Hawk watched Stalking Wolf go back to grinding things into powder as Silent Wind slipped from the Spirit Lodge. He watched Stalking Wolf place the powders into clay jars with hide covered tops. He also saw a few glass bottles with cork stoppers, and knew that these came from the wagon train raids. He wondered what all of the different powders were and realized that possibly someone like Thundering Buffalo might be able to explain the chemistry book, that he never did manage to understand. He sighed as he shook his head. Just to get him to be able to understand the book would probably take longer than the old man would live, if he would ever even consider it. Thundering Buffalo gently cleared his throat bringing Fighting Hawk's attention back to him. "In many tribes the Shaman is a great leader of the people. They directly influence the everyday lives of all of the people. Chiefs and War Chiefs consult with the Shaman on anything of importance. They hold great power." Fighting Hawk heard a wistful sigh come from Stalking Wolf, and wondered if he held dreams of power. Thundering Buffalo didn't miss the sigh either, but gently shook his head in regret before continuing on. "The Cheyenne people may have been like that once, but now the Shaman is responsible for the belief and spirits of the people. We help the sick and injured and lead the spirits of the dead into the spirit world. We believe that is the true calling of the Shaman, and anything else is the corruption of man." Fighting Hawk noticed the snort that came from Stalking Wolf, and frowned. He looked at the young man's back and wondered what trouble he would cause in the future. Once again Thundering Buffalo shook his head and sighed. Fighting Hawk wondered if Gray Eagle had similar memories of a younger White Buffalo before the hunger of power consumed him. Thundering Buffalo suddenly snapped his eyes to Fighting Hawk. "But we also talk with the Chief and War Chief, when we have something to say. We understand that it is not often, but when we talk we expect to be listened to. I speak with Gray Eagle often. We have been friends for many years. I rarely have any news of the spirit world to offer guidance, but he values my counsel." "Since Fighting Hawk became War Chief, he has never sought my guidance, but I have never seen any War Chief act wiser, and care more for the people. He did not need my guidance, so I didn't seek him out." Fighting Hawk noticed that Thundering Buffalo had a smile on his face, and knew that his words were not meant to chastise. He grinned back at the old man. "The Shaman of the Cheyenne people also hold the legends of the people. Some go back to the start of the Cheyenne. You are one such legend. One of our oldest legends says that a great War Chief will come among the people. He will see the dreams of the people and hold them in his heart. He will lead both people down the path of survival, and you will know him when he names himself as the Spirit Walker." Fighting Hawk looked stunned for a moment. He was sure that this had to be some kind of a joke, or at least a play for power. The title of Spirit Walker was something that he had made up to frighten his enemies. He frowned and asked, "How long has this legend been held by the Shamans?" Thundering Buffalo smiled, and Fighting Hawk noticed a definite twinkle in his eye. "That is the oldest legend of the Cheyenne people. We have waited for hundreds of years for the arrival of the Spirit Walker. In times of trouble we took heart; even though he had not come we knew that he would. So we knew that the Cheyenne people would continue on. I never expected to see the Spirit Walker in my life time, and I am proud that you have decided to show yourself when I was still alive." Fighting Hawk frowned again. "Why do you think that I am the Spirit Walker that the legends speak of?" Suddenly Stalking Wolf spun around and growled, "Yes! Why should he be the Spirit Walker? He could have heard the old legends, and wanted the power for himself! Why do you believe him to be the Spirit Walker? He is just another white captive. Only a real Cheyenne warrior can ever be the true Spirit Walker! He should be driven out like all of the others. The whites have made us weak, and we should kill them all!" Fighting Hawk stared at the venomous young man and wondered if he should just kill him now, or wait until he caused some real trouble. Thundering Buffalo slowly rose to his feet. Fighting Hawk could see the anger in his face. "You have always thought yourself better than everybody else. I knew that you have dreams of power, but your words offend the very beliefs of a true Shaman." The young man sneered at the Thundering Buffalo, "A true Shaman old man! I am a true Shaman, and I will rule the Cheyenne people, like a Shaman is supposed to. I know the legends, and I know how to make the people follow me. Him; a white man, the Spirit Walker? No! I have already named myself as the Spirit Walker! Years ago I followed the ancient traditions, and covered myself with the blood of my enemies at midnight of a full moon. I danced the dance of the spirits, and called the spirits together. I then named myself Spirit Walker, just like the legends foretold. No old man, I am the Spirit Walker and I will lead my people to destroy all of the white men." Fighting Hawk stared at the panting young man with a burning fire in his eyes. He knew that this man would be the death of all of the Cheyenne people. He quietly slipped his knife into his hand. Thundering Buffalo exploded, "You are not fit to be a Cheyenne, especially a Shaman. Why do you think we gave up the power? So that people like you could never be. It takes all three leaders to start a war; the Chief, the War Chief and the Shaman. All must agree. Now you want to be all three and start a war. You act like a child. You have secret ceremonies in the dark of night, like the coward that you are. You believe that the spirits wouldn't stop you? They have stopped you today. You will never be a Shaman as long as I live, and I will make sure that you are driven out of the village as the coward that you are." Fighting Hawk saw it coming, even if Thundering Buffalo didn't. Stalking Wolf was angry and afraid of losing everything that he had worked for. He heard the low growl and saw the knife in his hand as he lunged towards the old man. Fighting Hawk's knife slashed quickly across the wrist of the young man. He was fast, but he didn't see anything but Thundering Buffalo. He was surprised when his knife spun away and landed at Thundering Buffalo's feet. As he looked down he saw that his wrist was slashed deep, and he knew that he would probably never be able to hold a knife in that hand again. His face showed his anger as he lunged toward Thundering Buffalo with his good hand. Thundering Buffalo might have been old, but he was still a Cheyenne warrior. When Stalking Wolf grabbed his throat Thundering Buffalo slipped his own knife deep into his stomach and Fighting Hawk knew from the angle that Stalking Wolf's heart was not going to survive the encounter. Fighting Hawk watched as the old man looked into Stalking Wolf's eyes as he twisted the blade. There was no surprise, or shock. The young man just snarled before he collapsed to the ground. Thundering Buffalo called to Silent Wind. From how fast the young man entered the lodge he knew that he had to have been listening just outside the flaps. He smiled as he realized that some things never change, and probably never would. Thundering Buffalo sat slowly as he spoke to the young man, "Take this out where the wolves can feed tonight. If he had anything of value, take it to his mother." The young man nodded reverently as he watched Thundering Buffalo wipe his knife, and put it away. Thundering Buffalo and Fighting Hawk sat as Silent Wind wrestled the body out of the Spirit Lodge. Neither man spoke until the sounds of activity had died away. "I should have done that years ago, but I never knew how bad that he really was. I was an old man and I didn't think that I could still take a young warrior. If you hadn't helped me I would be dead now." Thundering Buffalo looked older and more tired than when they first entered the lodge. Fighting Hawk smiled at the old man. "Tell me Thundering Buffalo, do you really believe in the spirits like you claim, or do you just talk about them to get power?" Thundering Buffalo suddenly snapped his head up and his hot gaze burned into Fighting Hawk. "Not all Shaman are like Stalking Wolf. I believe in the spirits and the things that I told you about. I believe in the way of our ancestors. I would think that you would understand that." Fighting Hawk smiled at him again, "Then why did you fear Stalking Wolf? It was just as you said, the spirits stopped him. They made sure that someone was here with you. If you trust the spirits, then you should understand that until it is your time, you will be safe. At least as long as you don't do something that even the spirits consider stupid. I don't think they will protect you if you stand in front of a thundering buffalo. I think that they might decide that if they have to choose between buffalos, they will choose the one that is the smartest." Fighting Hawk watched as Thundering Buffalo slowly smiled. "You make an old Shaman feel ashamed. I should have trusted the spirits. I was afraid that I wouldn't have time to train another Shaman before my time had come. Now if anything happens to me, Silent Wind will have to be sent to one of the Shamans in another Cheyenne village." Fighting Hawk smiled at the old man, "I think that if that happened, Silent Wind would still learn what he needed to. I think that the spirits will make sure that we have a good Shaman. You shouldn't worry about things that the spirits will see to." Thundering Buffalo smiled back, "Now you see why you are the Spirit Walker. I now know why you never sought me out for advice; it was because I should have been seeking your advice." They both laughed at the terrible joke that life had played on both of them. When Silent Wind entered the lodge he was quiet and gloomy. "Thundering Buffalo, now that Stalking Wolf is dead what is going to happen to me?" Thundering Buffalo appeared to be in deep thought for a minute before he answered, "Well, it will just mean that you will have to work harder. I will expect you to pick up the slack that losing that snake caused. And I will expect you to be twice the Shaman that he would have been. I will not get a chance to train another Shaman, so you had better be a good one. People like the Spirit Walker will be depending on you, and I don't want to have to go to the spirit world thinking that I left a bad Shaman to help the Spirit Walker." Fighting Hawk saw the determination on the young man's face as she listened and nodded his head. He knew that this would be a good Shaman for the Cheyenne people, with just a little pushing in the right direction. Thundering Buffalo turned to look at Silent Wind, "I want you to gather much wood. Gather many berries and nuts, and prepare the Spirit Lodge." Fighting Hawk watched as Silent Wind began to smile. The longer he heard the list of things to gather, the bigger his smile got. Fighting Hawk was amused with the obvious excitement that the young man had for his work. He watched as Silent Wind suddenly shot out of the lodge, grinning like a hyena. Thundering Buffalo turned to look at Fighting Hawk. "Well, we need to get you ready." Fighting Hawk wasn't too sure what he was supposed to get ready for, but suspected that it had something to do with why Silent Wind was so excited. He calmly looked at Thundering Buffalo and asked what exactly he was supposed to get ready for, and how was he supposed to do that? Thundering Buffalo smiled that same smile that Fighting Hawk and seen on Silent Wind. "We have to get you ready for your spirit walk. The legend says that many things will be revealed to you on your journey." Fighting Hawk wasn't too sure that the things that would be revealed would be on a spirit journey, or the one that he was planning to take in the real world. But he didn't see that it would cause him any harm. For two days Fighting Hawk wore only his breach cloth, sitting in the Spirit Lodge. The smoke hole had been almost completely choked off and there was a huge fire. He had been sweating almost constantly. Nuts and berries were his only food. He felt that he had drank at least ten skins of water a day, but he figured that he had lost at least that much and wondered how long that this was going to continue. He was getting tired, but he couldn't fall asleep. Sleep would mean death if he was not awake to keep drinking water. When the sun came up Thundering Buffalo entered the Spirit Lodge. He looked at Fighting Hawk said, "Are you ready to take your spirit walk?" Fighting Hawk wondered if he would have to get up to do it. He didn't feel like he had the strength to even sit up. He told Thundering Buffalo and the old man smiled. Fighting Hawk watched as he took something from a bottle at the side of the lodge. He then smiled and sprinkled some kind of sparkling powder down on the fire. Fighting Hawk watched as the sparkle hit the fire and it flared even higher, like it was feeding on the powder and raising up to get more of it. Suddenly there was a bitter sweet smell in the lodge, and it got stronger as the fire got larger. Fighting Hawk suddenly saw the smoke filling the lodge. As it closed in on him from the top of the lodge he saw strange shapes swirling in the smoke. Then light seemed to fill his vision and he groaned as he fell back. Thundering Buffalo slipped back outside the lodge and filled his lungs with fresh air. As he took more deep breaths Silent Wind came up beside him, "Thundering Buffalo, should I climb up and open the smoke hole now?" Thundering Buffalo had a hard time focusing on the sound of his voice, but suddenly the words seemed to make sense. He turned and nodded his head, "Yes, climb up quickly and open the smoke hole." As Silent Wind sat beside the cook fire he kept inching closer to the Spirit Lodge. He wanted desperately to listen at the lodge flap. Thundering Buffalo picked up a small rock and watched as it bounced off of Silent Wind's head. "Ouch, that hurt." Thundering Buffalo looked at the young man and tilted his head. The young man looked at the ground, "Okay, but it could have hurt." Thundering Buffalo grinned and shook his head, "Not if you had been watching, instead of trying to get closer to the Spirit Lodge. Each man's journey is private. What he says is private to him alone. You should respect that privacy." The young man sounded even more like the boy that he was, as he whined, "But Thundering Buffalo, that's Fighting Hawk in there. When he speaks even chiefs listen. I even saw the Ute War Chief bow his head to Fighting Hawk. Nobody can stand against him. I saw him capture the whole Ute raiding party single handed." Thundering Buffalo smiled at the boy. It was easy to forget that the young man was still a boy in so many ways. It made his heart glad that he still had a chance to leave the Cheyenne people with a good Shaman. "He did not capture the Ute raiding party all by himself. I know that Big Owl was right beside him, and Gray Eagle and the other warriors were there when they were needed. And you will remember that the other warriors captured quite a few warriors in the woods. No man can do everything alone. All men need help. I agree that Fighting Hawk is a great warrior, but he would not be happy with the way that you talk about him. He never tries to claim the honor of such things. He always points out that others also helped. You should try to understand why he does these things. You might learn something." Silent Wind blushed as he realized that Thundering Buffalo had just caught him acting like a little boy again. He wondered why being around Fighting Hawk made him act like that. He didn't act like that around anybody else. It was only after the thought that, that he realized that it wasn't true. Once he really thought about it he realized that Gray Eagle, Big Cloud and even Big Owl also caused him to act like a little boy. He frowned and wondered why he did that. As he thought he realized that they were all great men, and great warriors. He looked hard into his own soul and saw the little boys' yearning to be a great warrior. Not like Stalking Wolf, and his desire for power, but more the great warrior that everybody respected. He found that he had a desire to be like those great men. Thundering Buffalo watched the emotions play across the face of his young apprentice. He saw the self-searching and realization and knew that the young man had just crossed a threshold, and was one step closer to being a man. Silent Wind looked at Thundering Buffalo, "But Fighting Hawk has been in there for two days, without food or water. How long will his journey last? I have seen you go on a spirit journey. You were back in only a day. He screams and talks in different tongues. This is frightening." Thundering Buffalo also was frightened. Maybe he didn't get the smoke hole opened quickly enough and Fighting Hawk breathed too much of the smoke. He was concerned because there were times that even the Shaman couldn't make it back to his body. Many Shamans died on their spirit walks. If he killed the Spirit Walker he was afraid that the legends would die with him. So many legends depended on the Spirit Walker. This young warrior was loved by all of the Cheyenne people. He didn't want to think what would happen to both of them if Fighting Hawk died. He knew that even Silent Wind would not be allowed to live. He just hoped that they killed them quickly, and didn't give them over to his women. That thought sent a shiver down his spine. A Cheyenne warrior was a fierce fighter, but he knew that there were no warriors that were willing to stand against Fighting Hawk's women. They had made their position very clear and he knew that there were no takers to the challenge. Not after what had happened to one warrior that thought he was stronger than Fighting Hawk. Thundering Buffalo remembered the warrior bragging that he would take Fighting Hawk's woman while he was gone on a winter hunt. He took the little screamer that every warrior spoke about. He remembered as they all descended on him like a pack of wolves. They killed him slowly. The village listened to his screams for days. Thundering Buffalo shivered at the memory. Silent Wind saw the shiver and spoke quietly, "They wouldn't really give us to his women, if he dies, will they" Thundering Buffalo was ashamed that he had so easily shown his fears to his young apprentice. Thundering Buffalo smiled and told him softly, "I am sure that he will be fine. He is a great warrior, and the spirits have many things to say to him. He is the Spirit Walker. He will walk among the spirits in safety, as the legends foretold. We must trust in the spirits." He smiled as Fighting Hawks words came back to him, "Yes, trust in the spirits." It was in the dark of night when Fighting Hawk stepped from the Spirit Lodge. He eyes were wide and filled with anger, and his knife in his hand. Silent Wind jumped to his feet and rushed to Thundering Buffalo. He shook the old man frantically. He saw the danger as Fighting Hawk looked at him. It was not a look that he felt was friendly. Thundering Buffalo came awake with a start, hand reaching for his knife. Fighting Hawk was at his throat before the knife cleared the leather. Thundering Buffalo saw the wild look in his eyes and released the knife and raised both hands empty to Fighting Hawk. He was relieved to feel the knife ease from his throat. Thundering Buffalo softly spoke to Silent Wind, "Quickly, get food and water." The old man softly moved to the cook fire and slowly put more wood on the fire. Fighting Hawk looked in the fire as he slowly sat, his gaze being drawn into the fire. His hands dropped slowly to his sides, but the grip on his knife never faltered. Thundering Buffalo heard Silent Wind rushing back and held up his hand to stop the boy from running to the cook fire. He made a motion to come slowly. The boy moved slowly and cautiously. He placed food and water gently at Fighting Hawks feet. Fighting Hawk moved as if in a dream and reached for the food. He ate slowly and methodically and Silent Wind was sure that he never tasted a thing. When he had eaten he reached for the water skin and drank deeply. He never released the hold on is knife. When he was finished he rose slowly and motioned the old man to follow. Thundering Buffalo noticed that the wildness had lessened, but was still there. He followed Fighting Hawk back into the Spirit Lodge. Fighting Hawk sat at the small cook fire. It was low and was only kept going to keep the Spirit Lodge warm for Fighting Hawk. Fighting Hawk motioned to the fire, "More." Thundering Buffalo was concerned. Two and a half days was a very long spirit journey, but he had never heard of anybody continuing one. He had heard of Shamans that were addicted to the spirit world, and they quickly joined it. He didn't want Fighting Hawk to end up like that. "You shouldn't go on another journey yet. Your last journey is still in your eyes. You should clear your mind before you make such a decision." Fighting Hawk looked back to the old man as his knife slowly came up. The threat was not lost on Thundering Buffalo. Thundering Buffalo quickly held up his empty hands, "The smoke hole is clear. The powder will not collect and you will not begin your journey." He hoped that Fighting Hawk understood the meaning of his words. He watched as Fighting Hawk slowly considered the words and then slowly looked up at the smoke hole of the lodge. He watched as Fighting Hawk turned beside him and was amazed that he actually looked like he was listening to someone that wasn't there. "Give powder." Fighting Hawk looked at him expectantly. Thundering Buffalo was beside himself with worry, and he didn't know what to do. He watched as Fighting Hawk quickly reversed his knife, and with a single thrust, buried it to the hilt into the hard ground beside him. He then looked at Thundering Buffalo and growled. Thundering Buffalo shuffled over to the row of clay jars and took the one that contained the powder. He held it out to Fighting Hawk and watched as he took it gently in his hands. He placed the jar slightly to his left and opened the jar. Thundering Buffalo watched as he took a small amount of the powder, and as he pitched it in the fire he leaned close and breathed deeply of the smoke it produced. Thundering Buffalo instinctively held his breath as the small cloud raised to the smoke hole of the lodge. He watched as Fighting Hawk leaned back and closed his eyes, with his hands resting peacefully on his crossed knees. Thundering Buffalo pursed his lips and shuffled out of the lodge. He was surprised when Silent Wind suddenly jumped from the lodge flaps that he had thrown back. He smiled at the boy. "Some things never change." The boy had many questions, but Thundering Buffalo had no answers. Nothing like this had ever happened before. When Fighting Hawk's women came to see about him again he was happy to say that he had come out to eat and went back inside. Each of them looked into the Spirit Lodge and saw him sitting peacefully with his eyes closed. They left much happier than when they came, and Thundering Buffalo was pleased that they no longer played with their knives when they talked to him. As the day passed Thundering Buffalo decided to keep a closer eye on Fighting Hawk, so with the rising sun Thundering Buffalo moved in the Spirit Lodge and sat across the fire from him. He was amazed to see Fighting Hawk reach out and take a small pinch of powder and cast it on the fire, without ever opening his eyes. He was further amazed that Fighting Hawk seemed to do this every couple of hours. As the day passed Thundering Buffalo watched as the interval between each pinch of powder get less. He wondered what was happening in the mind of this amazing young warrior. When Thundering Buffalo woke the next morning he saw Fighting Hawk looking at him. He quickly looked around as noticed that the skin lid was back on the jar and that it had been moved back to where it had sat along the side of the lodge. "You snore old man. I'm surprised that you don't wake yourself up with all of the noise." There was a definite giggle coming from the lodge flaps. Thundering Buffalo slowly sat up in front of the fire and grunted, "I don't snore." Then he reached for more pieces of wood to put on the fire, which it didn't need. Fighting Hawk smiled and said, "Yes, it must have been Silent Wind that I heard." Both men heard the 'humppp' and the stomping of feet outside the lodge. Both of them smiled. Thundering Buffalo took a deep breath and let it out slowly, "You have scared an old man almost to the spirit world. I thought that I had killed you, and then you demanded more powder. I have never even heard of Shamans spending so much time in the spirit world. I didn't know if you would ever come back." Fighting Hawk closed his eyes and took a deep breath himself, and shivered as he let it out. "It was ... interesting ... and I don't really remember going out to eat, but I know that I did. That was like a dream to me, and the spirit journey was like real life. I remember everything that happened and every spirit that I spoke to. There was no barrier of tongues or even ideas. We understood things about each other instantly and completely. There were so many spirits to talk to and so many things that they had to say to me. When I felt the pull to return to the real world, I knew what it was and what it meant, but they said that it was important that I hear everything that they had to say on this journey. They said that some things can only happen once, and that I had to stay." Thundering Buffalo watched as Fighting Hawk took another deep breath and watched as a shiver ran down his spine. He listened to Fighting Hawk's voice as it was so soft that it was almost hard to hear, "They knew that I had to come back to see to my body and they led me back. But I wasn't really here. I was fighting hard to stay with them, but they were fading and it was getting hard to hear them. That's when I knew that I had to return, or they would be lost to me. All that I could think of was the powder. I would have killed you to get it. Nothing was more important to me at that time than getting back to them. I am sorry about that, and how I treated you." Thundering Buffalo wasn't sure how he felt about that. He knew that on a spirit journey the real world meant nothing, he had been on many himself. The idea of holding a journey with ones will alone was amazing. But the thought of dying over a jar of spirit powder was unthinkable. "It is the way of life. It is not important. Nobody was hurt. Now what can you tell me of your spirit journey?" Fighting Hawk smiled at the excitement of Thundering Buffalo. He knew that the old man had probably dreamed of this moment most of his life; hearing about the spirit journey of his legendary Spirit Walker. He just wished that there was something that he could tell him. How to say something that would make some kind of sense to a person without the understanding of both the Indian and the white man's worlds? Fighting Hawk smiled a weak little smile, "I am sorry Thundering Buffalo, but of all of the things that I have learned, and been told, I don't think that you would understand what was important, and in some cases even know what I was talking about. I know that you would love to hear all about my journey, but it would mean nothing to you. But I will tell you this; there are always spirits among us. They can do very little to effect anything in this world. But they can do one thing, they can whisper into your ear. When you get a strange thought, or a new idea it might be a spirit guiding you. Pay heed to these thoughts." Thundering Buffalo smiled at Fighting Hawk, like he had been told a great secret. He was a happy old man and shuffled out of the spirit lodge with a smile on his face. Fighting Hawk watched the old man shuffle out and looked at the knife buried to the hilt in the hard ground. He turned to the spirit sitting beside him and asked, "Why did you let me do that? Do you know how hard that is going to be to get back out?" Fighting Hawk looked disgusted as he took a firm grip of his knife and slowly starting working it back and forth. With a quick jerk, it slid from the ground and back into his hand. As he slipped the knife back into his sheath he looked at the spirits sitting around the small fire in the lodge. They still looked almost solid, but he knew that they would start to fade soon. His spirit guide had told him that, but he also knew that he would always see them as ghostly images, and the more time he spent in the spirit world, the more solid they would become. The danger was when you could no longer tell the spirits from the real people. Fighting Hawk felt the shiver run down his spine. He had been so happy before he knew about the spirit world. ------- Chapter 29: Festival Fighting Hawk stayed another day with Thundering Buffalo and Silent Wind. He used the time to eat and rest. He watched his spirit friends fade and slip back into the spirit world. He could only hear them now when he concentrated on them. Their ghostly images were seen most easily at night and inside, away from the sun. He felt a little better when they faded. He knew that he would have no trouble staying grounded in the real world, and he didn't intend to spend any more time in the spirit world, unless he had no choice in the matter. With the sun of a new day Fighting Hawk headed out to his house in the southern valley. On his way he stopped at Gray Eagle's lodge. Gray Eagle was happy to see him. From the look on his face it was plain that Thundering Buffalo had told him something of his spirit journey. Gray Eagle held him tightly until Water Lilly looked at him strangely. After a comment he quickly stepped back and blushed. Fighting Hawk laughed and hugged him again, as they all laughed. His reception at the house was very different than the one at Gray Eagles lodge. Here the women saw him coming for a distance and were all waiting on the porch. As he neared each woman had her own level of excitement and until one of them peaked, it was all very controlled. When Little Mule screamed and took off, it suddenly became a race to see who could reach him first. Fighting Hawk considered running, but knew that it probably wouldn't do any good in the long run. He even considered lying down before they could reach him, but also figured it wouldn't really make any difference. Little Mule was the first to reach him. He was prepared and even had the time to spin her around once before the other women slammed into her back and knocked the breath out of her. He smiled down at her knowing what she was feeling. After the third impact he lost his balance and they all went down to the ground. Moon Flower was the last to get there because of her waddling, but it turned out for the best because she didn't end up on the ground with the rest of them. She contented herself with laughing at the pile of bodies. Little Mule was not as happy as she was. Once she got her breath back she was yelling at the others to get off of her. Fighting Hawk was laughing so hard he couldn't get up. Once they were all on their feet Fighting Hawk hugged each woman. He was happy to see that Raven now had a dress on, even if Pretty Storm was still naked with a rope hanging from her neck. After kissing all of them he started for the house again, and in his hand was the rope of Pretty Storm. She had a dreamy and dazed appearance. He just shook his head and led the way back home. After a few days his women settled down and he was once again able to come and go without being mobbed. He was amused that the bed had been taken apart and that the floor covered with sleeping furs. He had to admit that it was an improvement, at least in his own mind. The people working in the valley were excited to see Fighting Hawk once again strolling around the valley and talking to all of the people there. Each of the widows looked longingly at him as he passed, and jealously at his women, but he saw none of it. His women saw it and were proud of their man. Fighting Hawk returned to sitting on the porch steps thinking. He reached a decision and headed off to see Running Deer. When he got there Running Deer was sweating over his forge and banging a piece of iron. He had learned to make steel, but it still wasn't of high enough quality that he would make anything out of it yet. Fighting Hawk leaned against the wall and waited for Running Deer to notice him. "Fighting Hawk what are you doing loafing here?" Running Deer smiled at him and even went to him to hug him in his vice like grip. Fighting Hawk remembered the time that Running Deer had started to slow down and even considered himself too old to be of any more use to the village. Now his back and arms were as strong as the iron he worked. Fighting Hawk could see the same young warriors that used to look at him contemptuously, now they stood respectfully waiting for his notice. Fighting Hawk saw in his eyes that he was well aware of their presence, and smiled at him. "So, what does the great Spirit Walker need of me now?" Fighting Hawk blushed as he fished the gold coin from his pocket. He dropped it into the hand of Running Deer and said, "I need some gold squares that weigh the same amount as this. I don't want it to be bigger than the coin, just square. It will be thicker, but not much. How many can you make?" Running Deer scoffed and said, "A lot more than you can carry. Now how much do you want?" Fighting Hawk thought for only a moment. "I want Black Otter to make me some boxes, very strong boxes with rope handles. I want them filled with the gold. But two men still have to be able to carry it, so it won't be a big box. I will just need more of them." Running Deer thought about it for a while before he said, "How soon do you need them?" Fighting Hawk shrugged and shook his head, "Take your time. I won't need it very soon, and I have many other things that I need to do." Running Deer smiled, "Good. That means that I will have time to do a good job." Fighting Hawk smiled at him. He had never known him to do anything else. Fighting Hawk smiled and slapped him lightly on the shoulder before he left. It was three days later that he called for all of the wagons to be made ready. He sent word that wagons would be available to take everyone that wanted to go to the summer festival. Everybody showed up in their best clothes. The old men sitting beside the young boys looked just as excited. Everyone had worked hard and were proud that they supported the village. There were no charity cases on these wagons. Every head was held high. Even old Pony Walk shuffled up to the wagon. He had to have help getting in, but nobody looked down on him because of that. Everyone here had a feeling of family. As Fighting Hawk looked around at the festival he commented to Gray Eagle that it looked like the best turn out that he had ever seen at a summer festival. Gray Eagle softly said, "That is because everyone here can hold his head up with pride. It has been many years since Pony Walk appeared at a summer festival. We also have many visitors from the other villages. There are also many young maidens looking to marry into the village. Most are hoping to catch the eye of Fighting Hawk I hear" Gray Eagle had an amused grin on his face. Fighting Hawk was not amused and quickly let his father know that even jokes like that would get him a visit from his women. Gray Eagle lost his smile very quickly. Fighting Hawk may not have known what had happened to one young warrior, but Gray Eagle did. Fighting Hawk quickly realized that Gray Eagle was right. Most of the visiting maidens made a special point to talk to him and flirt. It didn't take long for Fighting Hawk's women to pull the young maidens aside and explain the situation to them, in very clear terms. Most of them left shaky, but made a special point to stay well away from Fighting Hawk. The few adventurous ones that didn't take advice well met Little Mule and Raven at some point in the festivities. They might have been small, but they apparently made their presence felt quite clearly. Fighting Hawk had demanded that Pretty Storm wear a dress at the festival. He relented that she could still wear her rope, but he wanted her covered before the visiting warriors. Pretty Storm was both pleased and disappointed in his decision. When the time came to name the young warriors, Fighting Hawk started the ball rolling by naming Big Owl. There was one warrior from a neighboring village that challenged. Most of the warriors were shocked, and waited for the fun to begin. He was a cocky young warrior with a very big opinion of himself that made it clear that when he was finished with the little boy that he would be challenging Fighting Hawk. There were gasps all around the festival fire. Fighting Hawk smiled and said that he would welcome a challenge, if the young warrior was still able after Big Owl was finished with him. The young warrior grinned and stood up and took off his vest and prepared for the event. Fighting Hawk looked at Big Owl and he noticed that he was quickly sizing up his opponent. Big Cloud, in the ceremonial head-dress given to him by Fighting Hawk, appeared with the wooden knives. The challenger selected first, and then big Owl was given the remaining knife. Fighting Hawk noticed that Big Owl took the knife with his left hand. He hefted it, slashed a few times and even tossed it a couple of times to judge its weight, all with his left hand. Fighting Hawk smiled, he was sure that one of these young men would soon have a great respect for the other. Big Owl's deep voice rumbled across the clearing, "Okay little boy, let's see what you think that you have." The young warrior turned with a snarl and rushed at Big Owl. Fighting Hawk flinched at the stupid mistake and slightly turned his head, but he wasn't going to miss a moment of the fight. He watched as Big Owl stood patiently and waited for the charging warrior to come to him. Fast as a serpent, and just as limber, Big Owl ducked and twisted from the attack. But he went the opposite way that the young warrior was prepared for. He had watched as Big Owl had prepared and expected him to dodge right and use his left hand to attack. He wasn't prepared when Big Owl dodged left and the knife in his right hand cut across the young warrior's stomach. At this point the fight should have been called, as it was a killing slash, but the young warrior took one look and screamed his rage and charged again. Big Owl grinned and threw his whole body into the charging warrior. They both went down in a heap. There was a short struggle and Big Owl quickly rolled off of the young warrior and up to his feet. He quickly got into a guard position. Fighting Hawk noticed a cut on Big Owl's leg, but when he looked at the young warrior he was amazed to see not only two new cuts on his stomach, but one on his right side from his hip up to his armpit. There was also a bruise forming on the left side of his face and another on his left ribs. He was sure that this young warrior was going to be moving slow tomorrow. He got back to his feet, maybe not as quickly as he should have, but he did make it back up. Big Owl was grinning, "So want to quit yet? I have killed you twice now. Want to make it three times?" The young warrior grinned back stood up straight and dropped the knife. Big Owl dropped his own and they smiled at each other and shook hands. Big Owl led the young warrior to Fighting Hawk. They sat down and Fighting Hawk started applying the salve over their cuts. He looked at the young warrior and said, "This will help the cuts, but I'm afraid that it won't do anything for the bruises." The young warrior smiled and rubbed his chin and grinned. "It really doesn't matter anyway." Fighting Hawk studied the young man again. He wasn't the same brash and reckless young warrior that had challenged Big Owl. Fighting Hawk smiled at him and asked, "So I guess that you won't be challenging me after all?" The young warrior grinned even wider. "I never planned to challenge you, not unless I had to. I got what I wanted, and even came out better than I had hoped." Fighting Hawk looked a little confused as the young warrior got up and moved back to the place that he dropped his vest. Fighting Hawk grinned as well when he noticed that there were three maidens waiting for him, and he watched as they made a production of checking out his wounds. Fighting Hawk realized that this young warrior was a shrewd young man, as he saw his plan. It was brilliant. Fighting Hawk nodded to the young warrior and Big Owl grinned at him too. Big Owl laughed and said quietly, "A pretty good plan. It really didn't matter if he won or lost. Either way he still gets the girls attention." Fighting Hawk nodded his head. When Fighting Hawk turned back to Big Owl he quietly said, "Be very careful yourself tonight. He isn't the only one that the girls are after. Three of them are waiting for him, and he lost. Think of how many are sharpening their claws for the winner." Big Owl grinned and softly replied, "If I want any more all I have to do is let Wood Sparrow know. She will make sure that only the best get through to me. She saw some things in the lodge of Fighting Hawk, that she has been doing some serious thinking about. I think that she might let a couple get to me." Fighting Hawk shook his head and moaned softly, "Son, don't do this to yourself. You don't know the trouble that you are getting yourself into. Women will collect around you without shopping for them. Just give it some time and enjoy the quiet while you can." Big Owl grinned back and said, "Father as good as that advice sounds, I really don't have that much control on what goes on in my lodge. It might look like I have some say, but they just listen to me and do what they want to do. If I put my foot down, they will obey, but I don't like to do that unless I have no choice. It is just like you told me on our hunt; the women really do rule the lodge." Fighting Hawk and Big Owl both looked at each other and nodded their heads together in sad agreement, then grinned. The rest of the naming went pretty much as planned; a few challenges where it was expected. The new young warriors were already strutting around trying to impress the young maidens. Fighting Hawk had leaned over to talk to Gray Eagle when he felt that he had just been kicked by a mule. The sound of a shot never heard. The impact knocked him and Gray Eagle back to the ground. He heard Big Cloud yelling and then felt himself rolled onto his back. Fighting Hawk knew that he was about to lose consciousness. He spoke quickly to Big Cloud, "Do not hurt them. Bring them back here to me." Big Cloud nodded that he had heard and quickly took off toward the waiting warriors, as Fighting Hawk felt the black cloud descend on him. His dreams were troubled and he had a hard time waking up. When he opened his eyes he felt like they had weights on them. The first thing that he saw was Moon Flower as she knelt beside him. There were tears streaking down her face. "Hey, that is no way for me to see you. You might scare me to death looking like that." Her head snapped up and a little squeak came out of her mouth. Her eyes got big and she suddenly yelled to the other women. Fighting Hawk noticed that they were back in their lodge at the village. As the others came rushing in he managed to croak out, "Don't pounce on me, unless you want to kill me." Moon Flower quickly realized what he was afraid of, and she thought that he might be right. Her voice snapped like a whip and with the authority of the senior wife she stopped them all in their tracks. The voice had the menace of death as she said, "If you come in here you move slow and careful. You don't touch anything but his face and then you do it softly." All of the women nodded and move softly and quietly. Fighting Hawk breathed a sigh of relief. Fighting Hawk coughed and wished that he hadn't. "How long?" It was the only thing that he didn't know. He knew that he had been shot and the only other thing that mattered was how long he had been sleeping. Moon Flower took a deep breath and let it out, "You were shot two days ago. We thought that you died three different times. Thundering Buffalo has been in here almost day and night treating you. The bullet went in your back and came out your front. It missed all but one rib bone and that one jabbed into your lung. You have been coughing up blood for two days. Thundering Buffalo cut you and took out the broken bone, and then sewed you back up. He left a little hole so that the wound drains. He said that you still might die, but that you are getting better." Fighting Hawk nodded that he understood. "So did they catch the men that shot me?" To fighting Hawk it was more academic than really interesting news. He heard Moon Flower hiss, "Yes, they caught the filthy dung eaters, buffalo hunters. They chased them all night and caught them at first light. They are tied up at the counsel fire, where you put the Ute warriors. They wouldn't even let us kill them!" Fighting Hawk grinned in spite of himself. "I told them not to. They are mine to deal with." Moon Flower had a surprised look on her face, but nodded that she understood. "Very well husband, they are yours. But if anything happens to you, then they are mine." Fighting Hawk heard a soft voice from behind Moon Flower, "Ours sister. You don't get them all to yourself." Moon Flower nodded her head, but Fighting Hawk thought that if the look on her face was any indication, the other women would have to fight for the pieces that she would carve off of them. A soft laugh turned into a hacking cough that left the taste of blood in his mouth, and then the world of darkness descended once more. ------- Big Cloud stormed around the village. He knew that the village safety was his responsibility, and he felt that he had failed. The fact that it had been Fighting Hawk that had been shot only made his temper worse. He went to check on the hunters once again. The three men were hog tied where they had been for the last two days. They had not been untied for any reason. Big Cloud looked at the mess that they had become. He decided that he would have to do something with them. Reaching down he quickly cut the leather thongs binding their feet. "Take them to the river and throw them in. If they crawl back out then give them something to eat. They can drink as much as they want while they are in the river." He stomped off without looking back. Lazy Otter watched Big Cloud storm away. He shook his head. He motioned to one of the other nine warriors guarding the three men and sent him after more leather thongs. He motioned to the closest two warriors to watch carefully as he leaned down and cut the thong holding the man's hands. "You should be very glad that Fighting Hawk wanted you delivered to him alive, otherwise I would do exactly as Big Cloud said. But I don't want to face Fighting Hawk when he comes to deal with you." Each of the men were thrown in the river and then pulled back onto the bank. After a quick cleaning, to help with the smell of their soiled clothes, each of them were fed and then retied. Since they were done one at a time, there wasn't much time for any talk before they were once again gagged. Each of the buffalo hunters was seriously concerned about their chances for survival. The idea seemed like a good one when they thought it up, but the reality had turned out to be lacking, and their present position didn't look good. If the attitude of the women in the village was an indication they knew they would never leave the village alive. One of the men vividly remembered the arrival of six women, each carrying a knife and a big stick. It took every one of their guards and some others that were called in to help restrain the women. All of the men were sweating, as they saw the hate in those women's eyes, but the thought that they were being kept alive to be delivered to Fighting Hawk had them much more worried. ------- After five days Fighting Hawk called for Big Cloud. He was glad to see Fighting Hawk sitting up, but he was concerned when he still coughed up a little blood. Fighting Hawk waved it away as nothing to be concerned about. After Fighting Hawk spoke quietly to Big Cloud, he left walking deep in thought. He went to Gray Eagle and told him what Fighting Hawk wanted. They both shook their heads at the raw brashness of the idea, but Gray Eagle sent runners to all of the other Cheyenne Villages. The next morning Big Cloud arrived with the horses of the three men. They were surprised that they were going to get out of the village alive, and new hope sprung up. They weren't as happy to find out that they were going to be tied to their horses, but still considered it better than being dead. They traveled slowly and couldn't figure out the reason. But almost every day they were met by a large band of Cheyenne warriors. Each of them looked hard at the three men. They knew that each of these warriors was remembering exactly what they looked like. They began to get the feeling that they were going to be the guest of honor in a stag hunt and they didn't think that it would be a quick kill. After three weeks they arrived at the fort. Big Cloud led the way to the Colonel's office. He had the men brought in and placed on the floor in front of the Colonel's desk. None of the guards left the office. Big Cloud waited for the scout to arrive to translate his words for the Colonel. When William arrived he knew that something important had happened. He greeted Big Cloud with the respect that was due the War Chief of the Cheyenne Nation. Big Cloud didn't seem to care about the formalities but waited patiently to get to the business at hand. The Colonel had a worried look as he asked about the men sitting in his office. Big Cloud smiled a feral little smile as he spoke, "Colonel, I was told to give these men to you for punishment. These three tried to kill Gray Eagle, and did manage to shoot Fighting Hawk, and almost kill him. At the same time they shot and killed three other Cheyenne Warriors; after we tracked them down we took them prisoner. It would have been much easier to just kill them ourselves, and many of the people want to do just that, but Fighting Hawk said that we should turn them over to you. You have said that the white man's law applies to everybody. Now we will see just how much your word is worth." Big Cloud saw the shocked looks on the faces of the Colonel and William. He knew that they would rather not be in the middle of this, and Big Cloud saw the design behind Fighting Hawk's plan. "Every warrior in the Cheyenne Nation has seen these three men. If they leave this fort alive they will be hunted, and we will know what the word of the white man means. These men are your problem now Colonel, but the Cheyenne will be watching and we will see if the white man's law is fair for all, like you claim. Or if your wards are just wasted wind." Big Cloud motioned and three warriors stepped forward and cut the thongs of the captive buffalo hunters. Once their gags were free they all began to speak at once, but the Colonel held up his hands to get them quiet. The obvious leader of the three immediately launched into his tirade, "Colonel, you can't punish us for killing Ing'ns. There ain't even any laws ab't killing Ing'ns. We didn't do nut'g wrong. They is only some stupid savages, nut'g more than a bunch of buffalo." The Colonel slowly shook his head and wondered why he ever joined the Army. He noticed one of the warriors whispering in Big Cloud's ear. Big Cloud smiled at the Colonel, "Enjoy yourself Colonel, because it you don't kill them, we will. Then Colonel we will see where that leaves us. Will you start the war now Colonel, or will you live up to your own words?" Big Cloud turned and left the office with all of his warriors following behind him. Once outside the fort, Big Cloud waved and all of the warriors disappeared into the surrounding woods. Big Cloud kicked his horse into a gallop and kept a steady pace until he was well away from the fort. He didn't want an escort, or any reports back to the fort on how many warriors were watching the fort. Big Cloud made good time riding alone and made it back to the village in just over a week. Fighting Hawk had over a month to recover and he went quickly to see about his friend. He was happily surprised to find him sitting at the cook fire outside his lodge. Big Cloud's happy smile covered his face as he quickly sat and looked at his friend. "My friend, you are looking very well. I hope that you are mending true." Fighting Hawk smiled and nodded his head, "Yes, I am feeling good. I would be much better if I could just escape these women. They won't let me do a thing. How am I supposed to get better without using my muscles? Every time I try to sneak away they descend on me like a pack of wolves and drag me back inside and try to mother me to death." The disgusted look on his face sent Big Cloud into a laughing fit which did not please Fighting Hawk in the least. It was only three days later, that the warriors that Big Cloud left to watch the fort returned with the news that the three buffalo hunters had been hanged outside the fort for all to see and that their bodies were still hanging when they left. After two more weeks Fighting Hawk couldn't take it anymore and demanded that the women leave him alone and he stomped off. When they tried to argue he actually pulled his knife and growled. They all decided that he had recovered enough to go out on his own. They also believed that they might have pushed just a little too hard when he lightly jumped onto a horse and rode off into the woods. They were concerned when he hadn't returned a week later. ------- Chapter 30: Preparations It was almost three weeks after Fighting Hawk left that he returned with a deer across the back of his horse. He arrived at the house in the southern valley to find it empty. He cut the deer from the horse and set about the task of preparing the meat. He knew that he had been seen riding into the valley, and also knew that word would spread quickly. He was not surprised when a flock of women arrived to take charge of his deer. They politely pushed him from his task and waved him off toward the house. He smiled and shook his head as he watched them brandish their knives and start in on the deer. He decided that was time to get cleaned up, and headed off toward the house. He had just dressed in some clean clothes when he heard the commotion in front of the house. As he stepped out onto the wide porch he wasn't surprised to see all of his women standing there. They were obviously waiting to see if he was still angry with them before rushing to greet him. They each stood with their head down, waiting to see what he would do. He slowly smiled at them and held his arms open to them. They rushed forward squealing with happiness, as he held them all in his arms. He was not surprised to see Pretty Storm once again without her dress. He suspected that she was happier without clothes. She was proud of her body, and just as proud that she belonged to him. This was her way of telling everybody that what they saw belonged to Fighting Hawk. Even though each one wanted to see the scar and put her hands on the healed wound, he suspected that there were other reasons that they were maneuvering him toward the sleeping furs. He didn't put up much of a fight, and he was happy that he was right when he stepped back out on the porch again in the middle of the afternoon, with a satisfied smile on his face. They spent the rest of the day taking every opportunity to touch and hold him. He knew that they were happy to see him again, and in some ways afraid for him. But it was the life of a Cheyenne warrior, and they would have to accept that. Early the next morning Fighting Hawk went to see Running Deer. When he arrived the older man looked at him hard. "You seem to find ways to make your legend grow. You couldn't have picked a better time than the middle of festival to get shot. With all of the visiting warriors and maidens the story was back in every village before you were even awake. Did you know that you saved Grey Eagle and took the bullet meant for him? The story was that you knew it was going to happen and you used your body to save him. There were so many weeping maidens that you would have thought that it was raining with all of the water hitting the ground." Fighting Hawk snorted and shook his head. "If I had known that it was going to happen, Grey Eagle and I would have been so far from there they would have had to send word to us that would have taken weeks to reach us." Running Deer grinned and smiled. Fighting Hawk smiled back and they both laughed. "So Hiding Hawk, what can I do for you today?" Fighting Hawk smiled at the name and said, "I was wondering if you had a chance to work on the gold for me yet?" Running Deer scoffed at the question. "Fighting Hawk, you must realize that you asked for that more than a month ago. Of course I have been working on it. As a matter of fact I had finished and then I started all over again." Fighting Hawk looked at Running Deer in confusion, but Running Deer just smiled happily at him. Fighting hawk knew that Running Deer was enjoying himself, and he knew also that he deserved this little game. "Okay, so why did you start over?" Running Deer's smile really broke out into a full face smile as he turned and went over to a shelf and picked up a couple of small squares of gold. He then turned and dropped one into Fighting Hawk's waiting hand. The square of gold was exactly what Fighting Hawk was expecting. It was the same weight of a gold coin, but was only a simple square. With this he could use these squares anyplace and they wouldn't be traceable, or even questionable. Fighting Hawk Smiled at the square and nodded his head. Running Deer Smiled back and said, "Yes that was what I made the first time. I thought that it was what you wanted, but then something happened that made me change my mind." Fighting Hawk looked questioningly at Running Deer and it earned him another of those full face smiles, as he dropped the second square into Fighting Hawk's hand. Fighting Hawk looked down and was shocked to see imbedded into the square, a hawk in flight with its claws extended, just as if it was about to attack its innocent prey. The details were perfect even to the individual feathers that he could see. He frowned as he looked at Running Deer. This level of work was totally unexpected, even though it was beautiful. "How did you make this?" Running Deer was still smiling as he began his tale. "You know White Wolf; he said that you sent him down here to the valley to work. Well, he worked at doing most of the jobs that we have here. He was fine at hunting, but we have more hunters than we need, and he tried here at the smith, and working with Black Otter, as well as cutting trees and planting. He just couldn't find anything that he was really any good at. He wasn't bad at anything but he wasn't happy doing it either. But then one day Black Otter needed to have some fancy swirls on a piece of wood, and with all of his other workers busy he asked White Wolf to do it. What he got back surprised him. It was excellent work, and he asked him if he liked to do that kind of work. White Wolf actually smiled for the first time since he came to the valley and said that he had enjoyed himself, so Black Otter set him to doing other carving jobs." Fighting Hawk smiled as he realized that White Wolf had found something that he was happy doing and maybe it would be something that he could feel good about. Running Deer smiled at Fighting Hawk's reaction and continued his story. "After that he started to carve other things, like horses and wolves and he even created a statue of you. He had come to me with a carving of the hawk in flight and asked if I could help him make one out of metal. I wasn't sure what he was going to do with it, but as soon as I saw it I knew what I could use it for. I explained what I was doing and showed him one of the squares. I asked if he could carve a hawk like that only smaller; small enough to fit into the square. He asked me for some very small knives that were very sharp. I made him the best blades that I had ever made, and he brought me back that hawk carved on a piece of hard wood. I made up a batch of the clay and wet the hawk and pressed it in the clay and baked it. When it was done I used it to pour molten steel into it. My steel still isn't very good, but it works great to make a casting. Once it cooled I broke the clay and filed and brushed the new hawk. It was perfect; every detail transferred from the wood to the steel. I was very happy. I decided to try to make something a little more difficult." Fighting Hawk could see the excitement as he talked and knew that even though he really didn't have any interest in the exact details that he was getting, Running Deer couldn't contain his excitement. Fighting Hawk smiled and listened. "I went to Black Otter and told him what I needed and it only took him an hour to get it to me. It was beautiful. Twelve open squares in a frame, all the same size. I mixed more clay and pressed the frame into the clay. I scraped off all of the excess, and then I wet the hawk and pressed it into the top of each square. Then I gently lifted the frame and placed it in the oven. When it was done I gently took it out and set it to cool. It was beautiful, even if it was made of clay. Then I poured a batch of steel into the clay mold. I waited until it cooled completely. Then I broke the clay and cleaned each of the twelve perfect little hawks in the bottom of each square. It wasn't deep, only about a half an inch, but it was perfect." Fighting Hawk smiled at the pride in his voice over his accomplishment. "I had a mold that could handle twelve squares at the same time. Since I had so many squares already made I just dropped one in each new square and put it on the forge. Once it melted I moved it off and once the squares cooled I quenched the whole thing. Then a solid hit while it was upside down and the new squares dropped right out. I had the boys cleaning, polishing and stacking the squares all day as I made more. When I ran out of the old squares I melted more gold and poured each square. The line on the side of the mold made it easy to see how much to pour. We now have fifteen boxes for you to take, and each square is marked with the Fighting Hawk symbol. You will be able to tell that it is your gold no matter what anybody says." Running Deer beamed with pride and Fighting Hawk had to admit that he had done a great job, and he was not the type to withhold compliments. When he left Running Deer was strutting and proud of himself and Fighting Haw was just as proud of him. When Fighting Hawk found White Wolf he was sitting and carving another statue. Fighting Hawk could see that it was of himself doing some great deed. He frowned. "I see that you have found the thing that makes you happy." His words startled White Wolf, but he was happy to see Fighting Hawk. His grin threatened to turn into a full face smile at any moment. Fighting Hawk was managing to keep his own under control. "I am glad that you are once again out among the people. We were worried for you." Fighting Hawk smiled and nodded his agreement and his thanks. "You were right. You said that if I came to the valley and worked at enough different jobs that I would find one that was made just for me. I think that I tried everything before it happened, and I was sure that I never would find anything that was just made for me. But then it happened and I wasn't even trying to do anything different. It was just something that needed to be done. The next thing I knew, I was finished and I didn't even remember doing it. And it was beautiful. I loved just looking at it. When Black Otter saw it he asked if I enjoyed the work I was doing and that is was when it hit me. I did enjoy it. And it was then that I remembered what you said; find something that I liked to do. Well, I found it, and I am happier now that I have ever been. Thank you, just doesn't seem like enough." Fighting Hawk smiled and nodded his head. "If you want to do something for me, there is one thing that I would like." Fighting Hawk smiled and waited for White Wolf to understand that he wanted something from him. White Wolf suddenly devoted his full attention to Fighting Hawk and nodded his head. "I travel in the white man's world. If you keep making statues of me it will only be a matter of time before white men see it. Sooner or later one of those will fall into the hands of a white man, and then there will pictures of me. When I travel among them somebody that has seen one of the pictures will kill me. I am flattered that you would want to carve a statue of me, but I would prefer that you not do it." Fighting Hawk watched White Wolf look at the beautiful carving in his hands in horror and shock. He suddenly understood the concerns of Fighting Hawk and what it might mean to the Cheyenne people to have Fighting Hawk too well known. As fighting Hawk watched White Wolf slipped the knife under the chin and shaved the face from the statue. Fighting Hawk smiled as he watched the lovely statue turn into a faceless statue. "I thank you for that, but do you think that the others that you have made could be retrieved and destroyed? I would feel a lot safer if I knew that my face was not too well known. White Wolf looked thoughtful for only a moment before he nodded his head. "I will get all three back and make sure that you remain safe from my work." Fighting Hawk smiled as he clasped arms with White Wolf and headed toward the Cheyenne village. As Fighting Hawk sat at Grey Eagle's cook fire, he made a respectful cough. He was quickly attacked by a small toddler screaming in happiness. Water Lilly was quickly through the lodge flaps after the errant little warrior. She stopped to watch Little Eagle laugh and scream as he was tickled in the arms of Fighting Hawk with a smile on her lips. As Fighting Hawk released the bundle of energy he was suddenly hit on the back of the head. As he turned to look at Water Lilly standing there she said, "Don't ever leave like that again! You were still wounded and we were worried sick." Fighting Hawk smiled as he stood up and hugged Water Lilly, "You should know by now that I can take care of myself. If I would have stayed those women would have kept me hobbling around that lodge until I was an old man. Even though they meant well, they were killing me just as surely as that bullet would." Water Lilly whispered softly in his ear, "They only love you too much. Sometimes it is hard to let the one you love do what they have to. You kept your father safe for me, whether by accident or not, you saved his life and I thank you for it. But next time, let somebody else do it. I don't want to have to watch either of you die." Fighting Hawk knew that she had tears in her eyes. He just held her tighter and waited for the tears to stop. When he finally released her they turned to see Grey Eagle smiling at them from the cook fire. "So are you trying to get another woman into your lodge?" Water Lilly snorted and took a swipe at his head. He knew it was coming and easily dodged the swing. Fighting Hawk laughed and said, "Oh no, I know how mother gets when she isn't the only woman in the lodge. If she didn't kill the other women, the next time that I got injured she would be worse than all of them put together." Water Lilly snorted and stomped off, but Fighting Hawk noticed the smile on her lips. Fighting Hawk and Grey Eagle were still grinning at each other as they sat at the cook fire. "Father, I wanted to visit with you before I left. I will be leaving soon, and I will be taking many of the white warriors with me. I believe that I have a plan to help the Cheyenne, and it will be a long time before it will come to pass. But each thing that happens will make it better for the Cheyenne people." Grey Eagle grunted and nodded his head. "And as usual you won't tell me anything that you are going to do. I will have to wait until it is finished before you tell me what is happening?" Fighting Hawk smiled and shook his head. "Some of it I can tell you, but some you will have to wait until I get back to learn how successful I was. The part that I can tell you is that I am going to have Black Otter build a trading post on the Santa Fe Trail. I will have one of the white warriors run the trading post and we will trade fairly with all of the Indian nations. On top of that we will stock large amounts of food and blankets that we will have for the winter. If a hard winter comes we will help the Cheyenne people first, the other nations second and maybe the white man, if we have anything left over. We will extend them credit until the summer to pay for what they took, but if we don't make them pay for it, they will just come back for more and expect us to give it to them. We couldn't help anybody for long doing that." Grey Eagle nodded his head. "It sounds like it will be a good thing, if we can stop the white man from robbing and stealing from us. We will have to keep warriors there to make sure that we are safe and protected. But if Indians start killing white men, even thieves, the Army will get involved." Fighting Hawk smiled, "Yes, I expect that they will. That is the reason that the buffalo hunters were turned over to the Army. We will put some white warriors at the trading post as workers and protection, and we will have some warriors close at hand. If the Army wants to get involved, we will use the white man's law against them just like we did with the buffalo hunters. They will have to treat us equally, or their own hanging of the buffalo hunters will turn the whites against the Army." Grey Eagle looked a little stunned for a minute until a smile crossed his lips. "I wondered why you were so set on turning them over to the Army. Now I see that you had a plan all along." Fighting Hawk laughed as he shook his head, "Oh no father. I wanted to kill them very slowly. I had planned to do just that but once I thought about it, I saw that we could use it to our advantage. Any rash action is usually a mistake. So I sat and thought about how we could make the best use of them, and still get our revenge. There was no way that they were not going to be punished." Grey Eagle smiled at that, with a firm nod. Fighting Hawk spoke quietly, "When I leave, I will be taking John and Ben with me, along with a few others. We will be gone for a long time father. I don't even know how long, but I am sure that it will be well over a year." Fighting Hawk saw the surprise on Grey Eagles face. He didn't speak but Fighting Hawk could see the pain in his eyes. He just nodded his head and said, "There will be many that will miss you. You had better visit with your mother before you leave or she will kill you herself when you return." Fighting Hawk smiled at the thought, but knew that Grey Eagle was giving him some good advice; Water Lilly would be hurt if he left again without telling her himself. Fighting Hawk nodded and rose to leave the cook fire. "I will speak with you again before I leave, but there is still much to do." When Fighting Hawk found Black Otter he was overseeing the stacking of more cut lumber. He noticed that Black Otter had gotten quite good at preparing cut lumber. "You seem to have found the secret to building things quickly." Black Otter smiled, "Running Deer was making saw blades for us. I asked him to see if he could think of a way to have horses cut trees down. It was something of a joke, but a week later he came to me and was very excited. He showed me a small model that he built. You turned a crank and it actually cut little pieces of wood. He said that a big one could use horses instead of a crank. Since then we have been able to cut whole trees into boards of any size. We have cut so many that we have to stack them up to use later. We don't have that many things to build." Black Otter showed the pride in his people, and their accomplishments, and Fighting Hawk smiled at him. Once again, here was a warrior that believed himself past usefulness and now he was vibrant and alive. Younger warriors showed their respect in many ways. The same young warriors that just a little more than a year ago were laughing and throwing scraps for his charity. Now he was once again an important person in the life of the village. Black Otter saw the look in Fighting Hawk's eyes, "Remember my friend, no matter how old you get that knowledge is the true power. We must learn everything that we can, and teach it all to the younger warriors." Black Otter looked thoughtful as he nodded his head in understanding. "You my friend, I have a big task for you. One that will be hard, but I think that you will find pleasure in it was well." Black Otter looked curious and waited patiently for Fighting Hawk to tell him his plans. Fighting Hawk motioned for Black Otter to follow and they walked well away from the other warriors. Fighting Hawk outlined his plans for the trading post that he wanted to build. He explained that it had to be very large so that they could store enough food to last many people through the winter. He explained the plan of using the young white warriors dressed as white men to run the trading post, and how they would buy supplies that would guarantee the survival of the Cheyenne people through any hard winters. Black Otter smiled as Fighting Hawk spoke. He could see the wisdom of the plan, as well as the other benefits that having their own trading post could provide. Even as he was nodding his head in agreement, he was thinking of what would be needed. Fighting Hawk smiled as he watched the old man lost in thought. When he once again looked to see Fighting Hawk smiling at him he blushed at being caught not paying attention. Fighting Hawk laughed and told him where he wanted the trading post built. It would not be easy or even convenient to get to, but he understood that it needed to be built on the Santa Fe Trail to be accessible by the suppliers that traveled the trail. "When you think you are ready to get started, get your people together and load the wagons that you will need. Make sure that you take along some warriors to watch while you work, and to protect the trading post until we get it open. You can have as many wagons as you need, and keep them moving back and forth until you have all the lumber that you need. We need to get it finished quickly to get some supplies in before the winter comes." Black Otter nodded and turned and walked back to his workers, deep in thought. Fighting Hawk Smiled and walked away, knowing that his project was in good hands. Fighting Hawk returned to the house in time to hear an interesting argument. "I am your mother and you will stand aside this minute. We are tired of you telling us that we can't go through that door, and we are not going to let you get away with this any longer." Fighting Hawk peeked through the doorway to see Sara standing in front of the barred back door leading back into the mountain. She had her knife in her hand and a determined look on her face. "Fighting Hawk said that nobody goes through this door until he says so, and I will put a knife into anybody that tries." Her voice had a steel timber to it and even Little Mule could see that her status of preferred bed partner wouldn't help her in this. Fighting Hawk could see that they would probably test Sara in her conviction. His voice was soft but it cut through the room like a gunshot. "I thought that I have told each of you that what is behind that door is none of your business, until I tell you. I should let Sara carve you up a little, just to let the idea settle a little deeper in your mind." All of the women jumped and quickly stepped back and refused to meet his eyes. Sara looked at him with relief in her eyes, and a shy smile. Fighting Hawk scowled at Moon Flower and motioned her over to him. As she stood in the doorway of the small room Fighting Hawk stopped her and bent her over, then he grabbed the bottom of her dress raising it over her ass and onto her back. His arm moved like a flash of lightening and the thunderclap that followed sent her staggering out of the room. When she looked back at him he nodded her on into the house. She grimly stood up and continued on her way stiff legged. Fighting Hawk looked at Kelly and she knew that she was next in the order of punishment. She stopped in the same place as Moon Flower. She raised her dress as she bent over. The same thundering impact followed. She yelped once and staggered forward a couple of steps. She looked over her shoulder as she quickly walked away, rubbing her butt. As his gaze fell on Little Mule he noticed the tears leaking from her eyes. He refused to let himself be swayed. He motioned for her to assume the same position. She nodded her head and actually raised her dress to her waist as she walked over to him. He had to admit that it did distract him, as least until she bent over. He noticed that she rested one hand on the door frame. He smiled as he drew back and let the full power of his arm lash forward. Once again the impact sounded like thunder in the distance. He watched as Little Mule stood and dropped her dress back into place. She looked at him with love. He saw no accusing looks. She straightened her back and followed Kelly into the next room. When Fighting Hawk looked at Pretty Storm, he knew that she wouldn't have to worry about lifting her dress since she still refused to wear them, or remove the rope from her neck. She assumed the same position as the others and he saw her tighten the muscles in her ass. He smiled knowing that she would regret that decision later. The impact of his hand actually made her hop about a foot and she squealed, no matter what her resolve might have been. She was quick to stand up and start rubbing her ass. The look that she gave him left no doubts that she was not happy, but he just smiled at her. Fighting hawk then looked at Raven. He noticed a faraway look in her eyes. He nodded at her and she quickly took her place and lifted her dress. He noticed that she placed both hands on the door frame. He smiled as he swung his arm. The thunderclap of the impact was louder than the others, but he had lost the feeling in his hand by the time that Little Mule had left. He expected to see Raven jump and rub her ass, but once again she surprised him. Instead of straightening up she just wagged her ass back and forth at him. He didn't hear her squeal, but he was sure that she had moaned. Somewhere deep inside him the idea that she liked the punishment rankled him. He pulled back his arm and followed through with all of the power that he had. The sounds wasn't near as loud, but his hand felt like it was on fire and the shockwave that traveled back up his arm reminded him of his father saying that it hurt him more than it did the boy. Well he wondered if that was true now, as he watched Raven shake and shudder as she moaned in obvious pleasure. Three more swings with everything that he had reduced her to a quivering mass on the floor, and he wondered if he had hurt his shoulder on the last swing. She couldn't do much more than twitch and moan and Fighting Hawk looked to see Sara with her dress around her waist and her hand at her pussy. Her eyes were as big as an owl, and he suddenly realized that his cock was as hard as an iron rod. Two quick steps and he pushed her head down so that she was bent at the waist. But he wasn't about to waste any time spanking her ass. With his cock free at last he quickly found her wet and willing pussy. She moaned loudly as he roughly entered her in one savage push. Their coupling was only mindless savagery. There was no love or caring, only the need to satisfy the burning lust in their veins. She was no better, as she roughly thrust back at his every powerful stroke. It didn't last for even a minute as he roared violently through his orgasm. Sara had been wailing from the first thrust through a non-stop orgasm herself. His hands gripping painfully on her hips, and each thrust brutally deep in her spasming cunt. The unexpected noise brought all of the women rushing back into the room. They all stood staring at the violent coupling, and Raven twitching on the floor. None of them knew what to do, but each of them found the scene arousing, without knowing why. After the moment of ecstasy had passed, Fighting Hawk collapsed to his knees taking Sara with him. She stretched out her hands to rest on all fours, and to get her breath back, with Fighting Hawk resting his head on her back. As they both fought to regain their breath Fighting Hawk's softening cock slipped from her battered pussy. She groaned her disappointment. He kissed her back and slowly made his way to his feet. When he looked at Raven he saw the massive bruising that had already started to take place, but he noticed that she was still oblivious to everything. He turned to the other women, "All of you get your clothes off, and help her to her feet." He turned back to Sara and helped her up as well. He leaned close to her ear and whispered, "I guess now is a good time to take everybody for a hot relaxing soak." He saw her nod her head and heard a giggle. He turned to the door that had caused so much trouble. He lifted the key from around her neck and opened the lock. With a quick flick of his wrist the wooden bar across the door disappeared. As he turned toward Sara, he saw her returning with a small handful of candles. He smiled at her, and she grinned back at him. He led the way down the tunnel, leaving a candle flickering on the wall to light the way. When he entered the chamber, the moist hot air hung heavy. He took a deep breath and eased himself slowly into the hot water. The sigh that escaped his lips hung heavy in the air. Sara was the next into the chamber and she was in the water almost before Fighting Hawk. They looked at each other and grinned. When Little Mule and Kelly entered, with Raven stumbling between them, he heard them gasp. He motioned them over and helped lower Raven into the hot water. When her battered ass hit the water she moaned and looked around. He smiled to her as he helped her sit along the side of the pool. When he looked back at the others he saw the hesitation. He smiled and motioned for them to enter the pool. It was Little Mule that moved first, but she was followed quickly by Kelly and Moon Flower. The sounds of surprise and shock were soon followed by gasps of pleasure. When Moon Flower leaned against the side and stretched out in the hot water he saw a smile slowly spread across her face. As Fighting Hawk looked around the room he saw that some benches had been placed around the room since he had been in here. He smiled to himself. After the groans of the women he saw them massaging the tired and sore muscles that they all had. He was sure that some of the massaging that was taking place was in the same place that they were sitting on, but he didn't say anything about that. After about ten minutes he slowly got out of the pool and sat on one of the benches. When he felt that he could move again he made his way around the pool and eased each of the women out. They complained, but weren't able to put up a fight. They quickly realized that if they stayed in there their muscles wouldn't want to work at all. He sat them on the benches and gave them a drying skin. {A drying skin is a very thin and soft skin that easily absorbed water and was easy to wring out.} As they sat there in the hot, moist air with their drying skins around their necks it was Moon Flower that spoke, "If I had known the pleasures of this pool were here, I would have been in here all day." Fighting Hawk frowned at her words. "That is the main reason that you didn't know about it. This pool is dangerous. It will suck the life right out of you. If you spend too much time in it, it will make you too relaxed to get out. Then you will drown. I told Sara that nobody was to enter here until I was with you. Just getting you out of the pool you should be able to see the dangers. You are allowed to use the pool to bathe and to just sit and relax, but none of you are allowed to use it alone. You must have one of the others with you." Fighting Hawk looked around the chamber at each of the women and made sure to make eye contact. "Also, you will never speak of this pool to others. Only a few know that it exist, and they will never speak of it. This is one thing that is for me alone, and I choose to share it with you. But I don't want the whole village in and out of the house to use it, and if others find out, then that is what we will have. So this is one of Fighting Hawk's secrets." As he looked around he saw each head nod acceptance. Moon Flower slowly stretched and smiled, "I don't think that I have ever felt this good and relaxed. Husband, pull me out when my head starts to bob around again." The others laughed at her words, but followed her back into the pool. They were all sitting together and whispering. Fighting Hawk smiled at the close relationship that they shared and knew that he was lucky. Sara asked, "Husband, you said that this was one of Fighting Hawk's secrets. Will you tell us of your other secrets too?" The others looked both shocked and amused at her. Fighting Hawk laughed, "No, I won't tell you my other secrets. I see no reason to trouble you with a burden like that." The others laughed at her pout and Fighting Hawk smiled at her. Moon Flower spoke softly, but the whole chamber could easily hear her words, "Silly girl, don't you know that even Gray Eagle doesn't know Fighting Hawk's secrets. You may be one of his wives, but you are not responsible for the Cheyenne people. That is a burden that he does not push onto others. When the time comes he will tell us what we need to know. That is the duty of a Cheyenne wife; do as her husband says, and protect the children and the lodge." It was Little Mule that added, "And protecting our husband." The other women giggled at that, but Moon Flower smiled and said, "I am not sure if that is protecting the lodge, or protecting the children, but I am sure that he is in there somewhere." This brought a giggles and outright laughter from the others. Moon Flower cast a sly glance toward Fighting Haw and saw the smile on his face. She knew that a comment like that would have earned her a beating from any other warrior in the village. As she thought about it she decided that Gray Eagle or Big Cloud would probably also smile about it, then she thought that Big Owl would also be tolerant of her ways. As she thought about it she realized that there were quite a few warriors that had changed their attitudes about women since Fighting Hawk had come to the village. She was glad that he was her husband, and the thought caused the fire in her body to stir. She smiled again at Fighting Hawk and hoped that he knew what just thinking about him did to her. Fighting Hawk saw the sly look and knew what it signaled, but being a man he didn't have a clue as to what the depth that look meant, but he didn't let it bother him either. Life had a way of working things out. It wasn't much longer that all of their talking stopped, then their heads began to bob around on their necks and he smiled. He got up from his bench and went over and smiled as he slipped into the pool. He gently picked up each woman and carried her over to a bench and put her drying skin around her neck. He noticed that a few minutes later that the talking picked up again. He was sure that it was a sign that whenever a woman was active her mouth was moving. He also decided to keep that thought to himself. ------- Chapter 31 It was a few days later that Black Otter left the valley with five wagons loaded with lumber, supplies and even black smith tools. He wondered about that and decided to see what was going on. As Fighting Hawk entered the forge area he saw Little Fox working a piece of iron on the anvil. "Little Fox, what are you doing back here?" The sudden sound surprised Little Fox and he jumped at the voice close to his ear, dropping his hammer and luckily missing his foot. "Damn it Fighting Hawk, don't sneak up on people when they are trying to work. You scared the shit out of me!" Little Fox flustered and grunted a few times before he broke out in a huge grin. Then he launched himself at the surprised Fighting Hawk, and wrapped him in a true bear hug. He whispered, "Thank you, for letting us go. Even if it wasn't what we expected, we now know where we really belong." Fighting Hawk hugged the young man and kept quiet. When Little Fox stepped back, Fighting Hawk saw the apprehension on his face. He knew that the young man had not been looking forward to their meeting. "So what happened in your travels? You've only been gone about six months." Little Fox took a deep breath and let it out slowly as he sat on the anvil. He didn't look at Fighting Hawk as he told his story. "We were really excited when we left. I guess that we should have each gone someplace different, but we decided to stay together just so we had a friend we could count on. We heard about your adventures in Kansas City, so we decided to go there. We couldn't believe the smell of the place, even before we got there. By the time that we were ready to ride in, I wasn't sure that I could stand the smell but we all took a deep breath and rode into town." Fighting Hawk realized that this might be a long story and sat on a nearby barrel. He turned his full attention to Little Fox's tale. "When we arrived we moved into the hotel. At a dollar a day we knew that we couldn't live there very long. I realized that we would have to get jobs, if we wanted to keep eating. So, I went to the local blacksmith and asked about a job. He was reluctant at first, but he gave me the chance to show him what I could do. I got a job as an apprentice smith." Fighting Hawk noticed that he seemed proud of his job, or possibly of his skill. Fighting Hawk had to acknowledge that it was only fair. "Straight Arrow and Standing Buffalo weren't as quick to realize what was going to happen, or they were too busy gawking at the town. But Straight Arrow showed up at the smith's forge asking about a job. The smith told him that he didn't need any more help. There wasn't much that I could do, and we both knew it. Straight Arrow went over to the stables and managed to talk the old man into a job. It wasn't what Straight Arrow wanted to be doing, but it was a pretty good job, and he let him sleep in the loft. I was still in the hotel and I was spending almost everything that I made just to stay there. When I told Straight Arrow how things were going with the money, he asked the old man if I could stay with him in the loft. The old man just shrugged and said that he didn't care either way, but there had better not be any trouble." At this point Little Fox went over to get a drink of water from the barrel and Fighting Hawk stretched before he sat back down on his barrel. "Standing Buffalo spent almost all of his time in the saloon. Before the end of the month he was out of money and owed the hotel for his room. He also started hanging around with some people that I would have to say were the worst of the worst of white men. We cast out people like that, but the white man just seems to ignore them until that get killed, by somebody. He started coming around the blacksmiths asking me for money. I gave him what I could, but after a while I realized that he was just spending the money at the saloon. I told Straight Arrow that I wasn't going to give Standing Buffalo any more money, and he was just as surprised as I was that he had been getting money from both of us." Little Fox shook his head sadly at the memory, but Fighting Hawk also saw the look of determination on his face as well. "When he came and I refused to give him anything he got mad and he actually tried to force me to give him money, but I think that he had gotten used to dealing with white men and he wasn't prepared to have a knife at his throat. He quickly backed down and left. I found out that it was a similar situation when he went to try Straight Arrow. That was the last time that he tried to get any money from us. We saw him wandering around broke for a while, then he seemed to get a lot of money. For the next two months that was the way that things went; he would be broke, then he had a lot of money. It just seemed to keep happening over and over, but he never got a job that we saw." Fighting Hawk nodded his head showing that he understood the situation, and his expression was somber. "Things kept on like that for quite a while, until we heard a rumor." Little Fox got up and paced the smith area. He was apprehensive and wouldn't sit back down, and Fighting Hawk noticed that he wouldn't meet his eyes either. Finally Little Fox stopped and looked Fighting Hawk straight in the eye, "We heard that Standing Buffalo sold some information to some buffalo hunters. He told them how to find the Cheyenne village, the time of the summer festival and what Grey Eagle and you looked like. When we heard about it we knew that we weren't cut out to be white men any more. We both quit our jobs and left town. Then a few days later we slipped back into town and paid a visit to Standing Buffalo. We took him with us and reminded him what it was like to be a Cheyenne. I am afraid that he didn't live through the reminder. When you betray your own people, you don't deserve to live." Little Fox had a fire in his eyes as he finished his little speech. Fighting Hawk saw the almost fanatical fervor that he had burning just below the surface and smiled at the idea that this young man would make a very good protector. He now felt the connection to his Cheyenne values and understood why the Cheyenne people must survive contact with the white man. Fighting Hawk smiled and clasped him by the arms, "So, now you understand why the Cheyenne people must survive? Why the white man can't be allowed to kill all of the Cheyenne?" Little Fox nodded his head vigorously. Fighting Hawk smiled and asked if Straight Arrow also understood. "Oh yes, Straight Arrow understands. The longer we were in Kansas City the more he wanted to return here. He said that to be around so many people who don't care about anything is depressing. I had a hard time holding him back from butchering Standing Buffalo there in the hotel. I didn't want anything pointing to us, so I knew that we had to get him out of town and away from the other white men that he was friends with. But once we got him away, Straight Arrow made sure that he understood what it meant to betray his people. He can be a dangerous man when he feels the Cheyenne people are threatened. I never saw him like that before, but the knowledge of what Standing Buffalo did, did something to him. He only seems to care about the Indian nations now. Not just the Cheyenne, but all Indians." Fighting Hawk smiled and nodded his head. As he thought about it he realized that he might have the perfect man for a difficult job. "So why did I see some blacksmithing equipment in the wagons with Black Otter?" Fighting Hawk watched as Little Fox quickly switched mental gears. "Ah, well it was so that Black Otter could set up a forge at the new trading post. The idea was that he could have some ore mined from the surrounding mountains and brought back, and then he could have anything that he needed made instead of waiting for it to be brought to him. Running Deer thought it was a good idea, and he even thought that if Black Otter could build a good building for it, he would even leave it there so that the trading post could have a blacksmith. He believed that it would get the trading post more people visiting it, and it was something that you didn't have to get supplies to operate." Little Fox looked around quickly and then move very close and whispered, "Besides there are so many of us that like to work in the smithy that he doesn't know what to do with all of us. This way he can get rid of a few of us and we can run our own forge." Fighting Hawk smiled at the conspiracy, but nodded that not only was it a good idea, but it solved many problems at the same time. "I want you to come to my house tonight, and bring Straight Arrow with you. Come just after the evening meal. We will sit at the cook fire and talk." Fighting Hawk smiled at the young man's confusion as he walked out of the smith's cave. Fighting Hawk walked around the village and the workers in the valley. He talked to the people and greeted everyone. Occasionally he would ask a surprised young warrior to visit with him at his house just after the evening meal. Fighting Hawk was sitting at a small cook fire built away from the house, but close enough for the house lighting to still illuminate him. He had been sitting there for some time just staring into the fire when he came to realize that he heard the polite cough signaling that he had visitors. Pitching the small stick into the fire, that he had been poking the fire with, he looked up to acknowledge his visitors. Fighting Hawk watched as ten warriors sat easily around his fire. He knew all of these warriors and he nodded as each sat and made himself comfortable. Fighting Hawk started his talk focusing on Straight Arrow. "Little Fox tells me that you have decided that the white man is a waste of air, and all of them should be removed from our lands." Fighting Hawk watched as Straight Arrow struggled with his statement. "No Fighting Hawk, I never said that. White men are just like the Indian, there are good ones, and bad ones. But when it comes to white men, there just seems to be a whole lot more bad ones." Everyone at the fire laughed, and Fighting Hawk smiled and nodded his head that he understood Straight Arrow's comment. Fighting Hawk cleared his throat and looked Straight Arrow in the eye, "I am sure that everybody has now heard about the trading post that I plan to build." He looked around and saw heads nodding. Looking back to Straight Arrow he continued, "I will need a white man to run the trading post. The Army will not deal with an Indian running it, and the white men would kill everybody there and take what they wanted. So I need a white man that will do things the way I want them done. He will have to be quick and smart. He will have to be honest and brave. We will store food all year and when a hard winter comes we will be there for our people. If there is anything left over then we will help the good whites." Fighting Hawk watched the smiles around the fire. He knew that they really didn't think that any whites were good, but Straight Arrow didn't have the same look on his face. Fighting Hawk studied the young man intently. "Can you be that man for me? Can you run my trading post? Will you make sure that our people have enough food, blankets and guns to survive the hard winters? Will you treat all people like they should be treated? Will you be honest and fair to all?" Fighting Hawk watched as Straight Arrow nodded his head to each question and when he finished he saw the determination on the young man's face and the fire in his eyes, and he smiled at him. "Standing Bear, you and Silent Wolf will work with Straight Arrow. You will use your white names and be white men. Straight Arrow knows what can happen to tempt you. You will do as he says. You will defend the trading post and the Cheyenne people. There will be other warriors close by, and you will work with them to keep the smoke house full and to gather what food you can to see our people through any hard times. But you will follow Straight Arrow. If any warrior is sent back they will stand before Gray Eagle." As Fighting Hawk looked around the fire he saw some of the warriors shiver before shaking themselves and smiled to himself. "Straight Arrow, when you and the others are ready you will leave and help Black Otter build the trading post. Since it will be your trading post I want you to tell Black Otter how you want it done, and what needs to be done. If you are not sure about anything find out before you leave, or go to the trading post at the fort. Do what you think you should do because it will be you that will answer for any failures." Fighting Hawk nodded his head and waited as Straight Arrow thought about things. When Straight Arrow stood, Standing Bear and Silent Wolf stood with him. They nodded their heads and silently turned and left the fire. Fighting Hawk watched the young warriors leave. Fighting Hawk looked at the remaining faces at the fire. "Do any of you want to go with them?" He looked around the fire watching as each of the remaining warriors shook their heads. Fighting Hawk smiled and said, "Before it is all said and done, many of you will have wished that you had gone with them." He noticed a few worried looks on some of the warriors and smiled at them. "John, are you and Ben ready to follow me out into the white man's world again?" Fighting Hawk turned to look at John and smiled at him as he saw the determined look on his face. He didn't look happy, but he nodded his head. Ben on the other hand had a grin that filled his face, and he seemed ready to jump up and grab their things before Fighting Hawk even finished asking him. He was nodding his head and couldn't seem to stop himself. Fighting Hawk just shook his head. Fighting Hawk looked at Little Knife. He wondered how anybody could name the mountain of a man Little Knife. He was every bit of ten years older than Fighting Hawk and as hard as steel bar. His face looked to be chiseled in stone and Fighting Hawk had felt the strength of those massive hands almost crush the life out of him. He was glad that he had never had to face Little Knife in an honor fight. He was as gentle as he was big, but he knew when he had to be strong, and he had never faltered in his loyalty. Fighting Hawk smiled and said, "Well Little Knife, are you ready to hear what I want from you?" He watched the big man grin and nod his head. "I want you to get a couple of pack animals and become a white trader. I want you to travel over the land from the fort to Missouri City. You will trade and talk. You will get to know the men at those places. You will listen as they tell you lies, and you will tell them your lies. You will become their best friend. You will spend money on them and listen to their talk. And everything that you hear you will tell Straight Arrow when you travel through and trade with him. I don't care how good of a trader that you are, as long as you hear every bit of gossip that you can. If you have to, I even want you to have tea with the women and listen to them gossip. If the preacher gets drunk on Saturday night and preaches against whiskey on Sunday morning, I want to know about it. If the Army expects a new shipment of horse shoes you had better know about it too." For the first time in his life Fighting Hawk heard Little Knife whine, "Oh Fighting Hawk you can't be serious. You should just shoot me now. I can't do something like that. Can you see me sitting around a little table, with a bunch of old white women with little cups, sipping tea? I have a hard time holding a glass without breaking the damn thing. You know me, I can go weeks without saying a word, and I like it like that. Please pick somebody else. Morning Bird would really be much better at something like that than me." Fighting Hawk looked at Morning Bird and saw him almost bouncing while trying to keep quiet. Fighting Hawk smiled, "Would you like to take over and do Little Knife's job?" Even before Fighting Hawk finished asking Morning Bird he was almost on his feet saying, "Yes, Oh yes, I would love to do that job. The secrets I could get out of all those people! Yes, oh please Fighting Hawk, let me do that. It was what I was meant to do." Fighting Hawk smiled and nodded his head, "Alright, if that is what you really want to do then you can be the trader. Now get out of here, we don't want you finding out all of our secrets." Morning Bird laughed as he jumped to his feet and raced back toward the village. Fighting Hawk smiled and said to everybody, "I wonder how far he will get before he realizes that he forgot his horse?" There were chuckles as everybody watched him running toward the village. "So Little Knife, you didn't want the easy job. So, I guess that you will just have to do the job that I have planned for Morning Bird. Think that you are ready to hear what I have in mind?" Little knife looked uncertain but straightened his back and squared his shoulders, "Yes Fighting Hawk, I am ready to hear what I must do." Fighting Hawk Smiled and nodded his head, "I want you to be responsible for keeping the Smokehouse full at the trading post and keeping trouble away. I know that a little person like you might have a problem with some of those big bad trappers, but I want you to do your best. Don't let them intimidate you now, you have to be strong and do your best." The others around the fire were snickering and doing their best to hold in the laughter as they watched the grin on Little Knife's face get bigger and bigger. "I will do my best not to let you down Fighting Hawk. I will try very hard not to be too scared of the big bad trappers." When Ben couldn't hold the laughter in any longer it caused everybody to give in to the urge and there was a general chorus of outright laughing. Little Knife was known to be a solemn person, but this night heard his laughter filling the valley as it boomed off the walls of the mountain. As Little Knife laughed his way back toward the village Fighting Hawk looked at the remaining warriors. "Well, the fun and games are over. The rest of you will be traveling with me. We will be gone for a long time, at least a year and maybe longer. If you need white man's clothes there are some still in my house. Ask one of my wives and she will get you what we have. We will leave in a couple of days. When we leave it will be six white men. Make sure that you have a white man's horse and saddle, gun and clothes. We will be taking a wagon, so plan on putting your things in there." Fighting Hawk turned to John, "We will be taking the boxes that Black Otter made for us, they will be filled with gold. Make sure that they are sealed well, and very difficult to get out of the wagon. Also make sure that there is a fair supply of gold that we can get to if we need it quickly and make sure that each man has at least five gold pieces in his pocket. Load plenty of supplies as I don't want to have to hunt for food on the way. We will also buy what we need. No man will use his gold unless I tell him to. I do not want it known that any of the men have any gold on them. It is only if an emergency comes up. Sun up, day after tomorrow, we leave. So make sure that you have said your good-byes." John looked to the other men and they each nodded their head. John nodded his head and then stood and slowly and walked into the night with the other warriors following him. Fighting Hawk watched them leave. He looked back into the fire and breathed deeply, turned and spoke to the night air, "Well, we are set on the course now. It will either be death and disaster, or a promise of peace." Nobody but Fighting Hawk heard the soft response in the ethereal shadows, "Yes, it is a fine line that you walk now." Fighting Hawk was glad that he was leaving this morning. The wagon had been reinforced to handle the weight of the gold that covered the bottom of the wagon. Each of his five men had five gold pieces in his pocket, and a small box of all of the coins and paper money, from the chest in the Library, sat at the back of the wagon. Piled on top of the gold were their provisions that would see them through the first part of the trip. Fighting Hawk smiled and stretched. It had been a rough night. His women had taken turns draining his seed in the hope of carrying his child while he was gone, and he didn't know what he really felt about that. He remembered his trip around the village, and the valley as he said his farewells. Water Lilly had grabbed him around the neck and he couldn't pry her off for more than a half an hour. It wouldn't have been as bad if Little Eagle hadn't been attached to his leg like a leech, trying to get up his body to hold him around the neck also. Grey Eagle finally took pity on him and helped to pry them loose. His neck didn't fare much better as the other females in the village tried to hug him to death. He was most embarrassed by Morning Swallow, the widowed mother of Swift Pony, as she not only wrapped her arms around his neck but jumped up and wrapped her legs around his waist and ground her pelvis against his lengthening manhood. He heard Swift Pony snicker and pat him on the back as he went by, but it did nothing to stop Morning Swallow. The same scene played out by most of the widows, and Fighting Hawk was glad that they managed to control themselves better than Morning Swallow. He still feared the afternoon in the valley, but he couldn't snub half of the village. His fears turned out to be justified as he met the people working in the fields and each widow tried to outdo the last in her emotional farewells. He stood and hugged each woman and let them cry on his shoulder. He shook each hand of the old warriors, and even received a hug from some of them. Old Pony Walk even hugged him and smiled before he walked away. With most of the day lost to 'emotional displays' Fighting Hawk summoned Big Cloud and Big Owl to his fire that night. He told them what he expected of them while he was gone. Neither man was impressed, but they both accepted their burden. Big Owl would help Big Cloud learn the white man's tongue, and he understood the need to know the ways of his enemy. They both even accepted that they had to present themselves to Little Mule and Kelly to learn to read and write. But the idea of reading all of the books in his library didn't set well with them as they considered it a waste of time. Fighting Hawk smiled at their sullen looks and said, "I know that it is a burdening task, and one that takes much time, but this is the white man's knowledge. Most of them know nothing of what is in those books. You will know more than the white man about his own world. That will give you power over him. Knowledge is the true power, and I want the Cheyenne leaders to be powerful and wise. The white man can't lie to you if you know more than he does." He saw the thoughtful looks on the young men's faces and knew that they would do what he had asked. They probably wouldn't like it, and they would get discouraged, but they would still do it. Their grumbling as they walked away was a sure sign that they had accepted their fate. Why grumble about something that you didn't plan to do? Fighting Hawk stretched again and looked at the wagon. He called to Ben, "Get a canvas to cover the wagon. We don't need to have our supplies ruined because we are acting stupid. And bring a few extra; we might need them for other things." Ben grinned and ran off. Fighting Hawk had noticed that Ben had been grinning a lot since he heard that they would be leaving again. He wondered if Ben was really happy living as a Cheyenne, or if he just thought that he liked to travel around like a white man. He would watch and see what was going to happen. When full dawn broke Fighting Hawk turned to his women and hugged and kissed each of them. They all whispered that they loved him in his ear, and Kelly surprised him the most when she said, "Be sure to bring us back another sister wife. We want to make sure that you keep everything working, like it is supposed to while you are gone. We know that you love us, and we will love her too." Fighting Hawk shook his head as he stepped away, but did manage to swat her ass before she got too far away. She squeaked and jumped as she rubbed her ass, but she still had a cheeky grin. The last to hug him was Moon Flower. It was a little bit of a chore with her big belly, but they both loved her belly. "While I am gone see if you can get Pretty Storm into some clothes again." They both snickered as they looked at her and they saw the suspicious way that she returned their look. Before he stepped up to his horse he smoothed the short hair back and put on his hat. It still felt strange to wear a hat, but it was as much a part of being a white man as the clothes that they wore. He noticed that a few others were pulling at the collars and shifting their hats constantly and he knew that it would take some time to get used to being dressed this way. As he sat upon his saddle he looked around, "From now until we reach this spot again, we will only speak English and we will only use our white names. If I hear anything else you can expect to feel my pistol across your head. If I have to hit you enough times you might start to remember." He saw more than grim looks returned to him, but nobody complained openly. He was sure that would change once he had to do it a few times. He nodded to Luke and frowned to himself. He was sure that he would have to have somebody hit him a few times before he would get their names straight. He just wasn't able to see a Luke in Little Fox. A Bill, Tom or even a Fred maybe, but a Luke just didn't fit the wiry young man smiling back at him. He wondered if Luke knew what he was thinking from the smile on his face and frowned to himself. With a gentle kick to the flanks they started their journey. ------- Chapter 32: The Journey By the time that they reached the site of the trading post they had fallen into the traveling routine. There were a few sore heads and one bandage, but it was about ready to come off. They had gotten past the point of stupid mistakes and it was now second nature to speak English and everybody had gotten used to calling each other by their white names. Tom still occasionally rubbed the bump on his own head. It was a surprise when he screwed up and presented his head to John to do the honors. They all watched and they knew that there were no favors given when John laid him out cold, and tossed him on the back of the wagon. The ones that had a lump of their own learned that Tom was a man of his word and that he expected as much of himself as he did others. It gave them a since of pride to follow him, especially since none of them had been knocked senseless. They wondered how he would treat John. They were surprised when he sat up on the back of the wagon, as it bounced along, then lightly jumped onto his horse and rode up beside John and began to talk. It was like nothing happened and it made a few of them complaining about their own lumps feel petty. It effectively stopped the complaints by showing them what he expected of them. The trading post was well on the way to being finished. Tom examined the smithy and saw the joy of the workers as they had their own place. He knew that they would probably never return to the valley, but he doubted that they would leave the trading post either. Black Otter was directing his work like a War Chief in a battle. Every worker was always busy. It didn't matter if he was dressed like a white man or a warrior, he was just a worker and Black Otter showed no favorites. Straight Arrow was always at his side. They would point and whisper and nod to each other. Tom smiled at the way they worked and knew that Straight Arrow would settle for nothing less than what he wanted. "Straight Arrow, I don't think that I ever asked what your name was. What should we be calling you now?" He saw Straight Arrow actually blush and look around before he quietly replied, "Ah, well, it's Burtrum Huggins." Tom was a little surprised as most white men got their name from the bible, and something like this was never expected. "So I can assume that people will be calling you Burt?" Burt smiled and nodded, "If they want to keep breathing. I don't think that I would have killed my parents for naming me this, but I sure would have taken a stick to them." Tom smiled at him and nodded his head. "I really can't complain too much, but I can see where you might have had a few problems as a young man." Burt had a hard look on his face as he nodded. Tom remembered Pursy Stotch from the wagon train. He was a frail boy and remembered the grief that he received from the other children. Tom even remembered the other men teasing his father about naming a boy Pursy. His father wasn't very big either and his backbone was a little soft. His wife on the other hand was treated with the utmost respect, once she laid a cast iron skillet across a man's head for some trivial comment. She had made it very clear who wore the pants in that wagon, and that they had better treat her with the respect that she deserved. Tom still remembered when he left the village. She had hugged him tightly and cried on his shoulder. Then she quietly dropped her head and went quietly back to tending to her three new children. She lived in the lodge of a warrior named Quiet Bear. They made a good match; they were both very quiet now. When she had arrived at the village she was still in shock, but once that wore off she loud and vicious. He remembered that it had taken about two weeks before she broke. She was never the same after that. She was treated well by Quiet Bear and she had her children. He wasn't sure if she was truly happy, but she was very content with her life now. Tom shook himself as he looked around. "So many people, and so many changes." He nodded to Burt and they walked to the wagon. He opened the box that he had loaded. Burt looked at the gold and silver coins and all of the paper money and actually gulped at what he was seeing. "What am I supposed to do with all of that?" Tom laughed and closed the box, "That is what you will be using to buy supplies and things that you will need to run the trading post. As I told you, we aren't trying to get rich, but we should make enough to buy more stock. But, when times are hard we will have to work on credit. You will need to be able to keep going until they can pay back what they owe. This isn't charity, and we will expect the people to pay us in either trades or money. It will allow them to keep their heads up and still see them through the hard times. The ones that cheat us, won't be getting any more help and if we can find them they will get a lot more than that. We can't appear soft, but we don't want to hurt our own people." Burt nodded that he understood. Tom lifted the box from the wagon and gave it to Burt. "You and Black Otter make sure that you have a good safe place to keep this stored. And while you are at it, make sure that you have a secret way out of the trading post, just in case you are attacked and penned in. I don't want to lose anybody. We can hunt down any body that attacks us, as long as we are still alive. I want you to make sure that you keep my people alive. Any thieves I want hung from the trees, and make sure that people know what they were hung for. Fear will give the casual thief something to think about and the bully will know what his chances are. That will only leave the desperate ones. Take every advantage that you can get." Burt solemnly nodded, "I understand. I won't fail you Fighting Hawk." Tom's pistol was out in a flash and Burt had a lump forming on the side of his head. She he rubbed it with a frown on his face Tom said, "That was a warning. My name is Tom, and anybody dressed as a white man you will use their white name, when they are dressed like and Indian you will call them by their Indian name. Don't ever make a mistake like that again. Mistakes like that are what will get people killed. If you do it all the time you will never make a mistake. Now we are alone, but one mistake with somebody listening and you never know. And as long as you are dressed like a white man, you should only respond to your white name." Burt nodded that he understood. He still felt a little resentful, but he was sure that would be one mistake that he would never make again. Tom set up camp beside the trading post and told his men to lend a hand in the building, but to remember the rules if they didn't want a few more lumps. There were a few grins, but mostly it was just grim determination. Over the next couple of weeks Tom watched as the trading post was finished and some small houses were built around the trading post. Burt had a room in the trading post, but the others had their own house. Even the blacksmiths had a house. Well back in the woods there were lodges that the Cheyenne warriors would use while they lived there. When others took their place they would live in the same lodges. There was quite a serious group of warriors available to protect the trading post, and keep it supplied. Tom had made certain that the trading post was built on the land deeded to him. That would keep others from trying to take what they had built. A week later the first supply train came through. Tom watched as Burt went to work getting supplies to get the trading post up and running. He bought as much stock as the traders were willing to sell. He understood that they still had a lot more places to visit, but they would be prepared the next time they went through. Tom talked to the major trader in the group and asked if they could travel with them. There was a lot of suspicion from the group, but since Burt said that they were just traveling through and had not caused any harm, they agreed. In some ways they were even happy about it, as it gave them more guns to protect the supply train. The next morning the group moved out. Tom talked to each of the traders to get to know them and see what they had to trade. He thought that it might be better if they had a few things to trade so they didn't stick out as odd. He noticed that there was one trader that kept watching him. He wasn't sure why, but once he thought about it he was sure that he had met the young man some place. He worried that it was at the fort, which was the next stop, and hoped that the young man wasn't watching him because he recognized him as Fighting Hawk. That would make for a very difficult situation. He would have to spend some time trying to figure out just where he had seen the young man before they got to La Junta. Try as he might he couldn't place the young man. He decided that it would be better if he came down with an illness. Sick people were pretty much left alone. Nobody wanted to get sick, if it could be avoided. Sometimes even simple sickness would lead to death. While the traders worked their own brand of magic at the fort, Tom stayed in the wagon with the canvas tarp over him. He avoided everybody from the trading caravan and the fort. John and Ben were on hand to make sure that he had his privacy. It was a long two days, and the morning of the third day found everybody packed up and ready to move at first light. Tom stayed in the wagon during the whole day, as he didn't want the others to think that he had been hiding. It might cause speculation among the traders. The next day Tom spent his time in the wagon box and helped drive the wagon. It was the best way to appear he was regaining his strength. The following day Tom split his time between the wagon box in the morning and he rode his horse in the afternoon. He knew that he would make a full recovery on the next day. With the sun the caravan started off toward their next stop. Every ten to fourteen days found another trading post or fort along the Santa Fe Trail. Tom watched as each time the caravan pulled in, it resembled market day for the sharecroppers back in Virginia. He remembered the way they sold their goods in the market after the crop division. He realized even then that it was impossible to get good prices when everybody was selling the same things. He remembered the year that Mr. Rogers had planted squash, lima beans, carrots and cucumbers. He had been the laughing stock of the county, with everybody planting corn, green beans and peas. He still smiled at the astounded looks in their eyes when Mr. Rogers sold his lima beans for three times what their corn was selling for. The squash and carrots sold for even more. However, even he had to admit that the cucumbers didn't go over as well as Mr. Rogers had hoped. Well they didn't until he filled a large barrel with vinegar and brine and dumped the cucumbers in. He still made a killing a few months later selling pickles and pickle relish. He still remembered Mr. Roger's advice about the whole thing, "Tom, just because people aren't interested in what you have to sell, doesn't mean that you can't sell it. It just means that you have to make it into something that they do want." They sold at each trading post what they bought at the last, and anything that didn't sell they held for the next one, with the assurance that in Independence they would sell everything that they had left. Tom didn't doubt it. He remembered the way it was when they had come through Independence. As he watched the goings on his eyes were drawn once again to the young man who was watching him intently. A frown creased his face as he once again wondered where he had met the young man. It was three days later that he approached the young man. "How did the trading go for you?" The young man glanced quickly at him before returned his eyes to the team and the trail. "Not too bad. I am working in salt, powder and shot. They are always stable and you can guarantee that you will never be at a loss." Tom nodded his head in understanding. The young trader wasn't like the others, they loved to talk and took every opportunity to tell him about every deal they had worked on the trail. "I know you from somewhere, but I can't place it. I am sure that if I really think about it, it will come to me." Tom slowly looked at the young man to gauge his reaction. He was surprised when the young man just nodded his head. "I knew that you would, sooner or later. I was just hoping that you would put it off until we got to Independence, then you would get distracted and just forget about me. So when are you going to do it?" The young man appeared resigned to his fate, and his face only showed determination. Tom was seriously confused, but knew that the young man remembered him much better than he did. "Okay, since you want to get this over with quickly why don't you tell me where it was that we met? Then we can settle our differences and get on with things." The young man glanced quickly at Tom. He nodded his head once and sighed, "I'll never forget the last time that we met. It's burned in my brain and still wakes me in the middle of the night, in a cold sweat. I was riding with Bob Dickers and his gang. Well actually it was uncle Bob, and I was minding the horses. Then in the middle of the night you showed up like a ghost and put a knife at my throat. That night I watched Jim Barnett, staked out over an ant hill scream until his throat gave out. Then I watched him die slowly still trying to scream even though no sound would come out." Tom watched as the young man took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the sweat from his brow. "Then I watched as you pulled Uncle Bob off to the ant hill and shoot out his knees. You gave him a gun with one bullet and told him to choose how he wanted to die. I watched as he put that gun in his mouth and pull the trigger. Then you turned to me and told me that what I had just seen was to be my fate. Then you told me that I had a chance to avoid that fate. When you let me go you said that if we ever crossed paths again that you would kill me. So I figured that my time was pretty much over now." Tom smiled at the young man. He had changed a lot since he was that boy in the middle of the night. Tom kept his expression neutral, "So how did you become a trader on the trail?" The young man sighed again before he answered, "When I got back to Kansas City I thought about what you said for a long time, and I realized that in one way or another I had never seen any 'bad man' that was an old man. It made me think that what you said was probably the truth. I went to the livery and asked the old man for a job. I did every disgusting job I could get anywhere in town. I worked hard, and in three months I had enough to buy me this wagon and team from old Will. I know that he gave me a good deal, but I think that he knew that I was trying to get on the straight and narrow. Well, once I had my wagon and team, I headed for the trail. When the trading wagons showed up I hired out as an extra wagon to one of the traders." Tom took a sip from his canteen and passed it over to the young man. He smiled and nodded his head before he took a long drink of water. After he passed the canteen back he continued with his story, "I learned a lot those three months. I listened to the traders and watched how they bargained. I learned what sold and how to find people willing to pay the most for what you have. In general I learned how to be a trader. When I got paid off in Independence, I bought all the salt and powder that I could afford. On the trip back to Santa Fe I sold what I bought. Then I bought Salt, powder and shot. I also bought a mold from the Blacksmith in Santa Fe. In the evenings as I sit around the camp fire, I melt lead down and make my own shot. That's just easy money." The young man shrugged, So that's been my life since we met last. So, now you know what I have been doing. When do you plan to kill me?" Tom smiled and shook his head. "I don't think you were paying real close attention when we parted company the last time. What I told you was, 'If you ever come after me again that I would kill you'. I never said that I would kill you just for seeing you. I was giving you a chance to live and find a better life, and I think that you have done that. I don't see any reason that I should kill you, unless you just want me to." The young man stared back at Tom, looking to see if he was being made fun of. Tom just smiled and shook his head. The young man suddenly grinned big and started to laugh. Tom laughed with him feeling the tensions of the young man fade away. He knew what the young man must have been feeling and was glad to have lifted the burden from his shoulders. Tom asked, "Have you encountered any bandits along the trail?" Tom watched the young man stop laughing and his body suddenly tense again. He saw the hard look in his eyes as he nodded. "We got hit on that first trip back from Independence. They came at us from the rear just before sunset. We lost the last wagon before we even knew they were there. The guards turned at the first sign of trouble and started the defense. We all took up our rifles and after a couple of shots most of them were on the ground, but a couple got away. I really wanted to go after them, but the others said that it wasn't worth the trouble, but I knew that if we didn't get them all, they would just get more men and try it again." Tom smiled, "Sounds like you don't think much of bandits trying to steal your wagon and goods?" The young man snorted his contempt, "And just why should I? They didn't work to buy this wagon, or the good in it. Why should I just roll over and give it to a bunch of lazy no accounts because they want it?" The young man had fire in his eyes and Tom outright laughed at the look on his face. The young man was hurt for a minute before the full impact of his statement registered. The last time that they met, he had been a bandit and Tom had been the one defending his property. The young man blushed as he realized that he had come full circle. "Look I'm really sorry about..." Tom stopped the apology with a wave of his hand. "You didn't know any better, and you had to be taught a lesson. I think that you learned your lesson well. I can't think of any better way of proving it than the words that I just heard. You're a good young man, and I am glad that I gave you a chance. You are welcome at my camp fire any time that you want to visit." The young man smiled and nodded his head. "Thank you, sir, for the invitation, and for everything else. You didn't have to do that and I hope one day that will be able to repay you." Tom shook his head. "Every day we have the opportunity to do the right thing and to help people. I don't always do the right thing, and I don't always help everybody that needs it, but I do try. At least if I think that something good might come out of it. That night it would have been easier to just kill everybody, but when I saw a boy standing in the night I thought that there was a chance that he didn't have to end up like the others. It was more work and a lot harder on me, but if I could show him what his future looked like, maybe he could change it. Most boys would not have changed. Once the fear was gone, they would have been right back to doing the same things. So, to see you here is repayment enough, unless you find yourself able to steer another young man to the right path." The young man looked at him for a moment before he smiled. Then he stuck out his hand, "Brian Peevers, and it would be an honor; if the situation ever comes up." The two young men smiled at each other before Tom turned his horse back toward his own wagon. ------- Independence was even more dirty and smelly then he remembered. He sighed and wondered if there was any places that the white man lived that didn't stink. The group quickly moved as far away from the collected humanity as was possible. After setting up camp Tom sent Ben and Luke to circulate to see what gossip could be learned. Once they were off then he turned to the others, "Robert, you and Peter watch the camp. John and I are going to see about continuing our journey." The two warriors nodded their head and watched as John and Tom mounted up and rode out of camp. It was well after dark when Tom and John rode into the camp. "We are going to stay here for a few days. We found that there are a few wagons that have decided that they don't want to risk the journey to Oregon. They will be starting back in three days, and we will be joining them. It will be safer traveling with others, and we won't attract as much attention." The others nodded their heads, but Tom could tell that they had questions. He still had not revealed where they were going, but they trusted him and that was enough. Three days later, at first light, Tom and the wagon was waiting for the settlers to make their way to the trail heading back East. They waited for a couple of hours before the first of them arrived. Then they had to wait another hour for the other three families to show up. Three hours after sun up the little group headed East; back toward Ohio and civilization. Tom frowned at the thought, but the other families seemed excited. Traveling with the families actually got better after a few days. They were still slow to get started in the mornings, but it was getting better. Three weeks later found the little wagon train looking at Springfield, Illinois. They decided to stop outside of town and make repairs and rest for a couple of days. Tom wondered how these people ever managed to get to Independence in the first place. Tom sent Ben and Luke into town to get provisions and to see if there was any gossip to be had. It was well after dark before they arrived. Ben could hardly sit on his horse and Luke was singing at the top of his lungs. At a nod to John, Luke was sound asleep and Ben had his head in a cold water barrel. Tom realized that he wouldn't get much information out of Ben until morning and told John to put him to sleep. John smiled and took him at his word, he laid his gun barrel across his head, and Ben went to sleep. Morning came quickly to the two men, and they wished that it had taken a lot longer to arrive. The lump on their heads didn't improve their disposition, or their headache. Tom smiled sweetly and asked if they learned anything, or if they just talked the whole time. He was intensely curious to find out where the gold that they had left with had gone. The two men looked sheepish before they admitted that they still needed to pick up the supplies, but were quick to say that it was paid for. They had a hard time explaining the loss of the gold, as they just couldn't remember what they had done after the third saloon. John's disgusted expression made his opinion clear, and Ben knew that John would make sure that they paid dearly for their mistakes. It did help some when the two sat for the next hour and told everything that they had heard during their trip. Tom nodded and told them that they still needed to get the supplies, and they moaned as they worked to saddle their horses. When they had managed to get themselves mounted up and ready to leave Tom threw Ben a Water skin. "If you get thirsty, stick to water. It might keep you out of trouble. And, since you had such a good time, and good night's sleep; I thing that you two will be able to keep watch at night, all by yourselves. For at least a week or two; I'll let you know when the rest of us have caught up on our sleep." The two looked at each other, but knew better than to argue. Ben secretly suspected that they had gotten off easy if John's look was any indication of what he was feeling. They nodded their heads and quickly left camp, before Tom decided that there was something more that they could look forward to. ------- Chapter 33 A month later the little wagon train was making camp outside Columbus, Ohio. It looked like a much older town and more established. The buildings looked older and more solidly made. Peter looked at Tom and asked to have a chance to examine the buildings. Tom smiled that the carpenter in him couldn't wait to get a look at the competition. He smiled and nodded as he looked at Ben. "Want to try this again, or do you feel that you can't trust yourself?" Ben looked a little hurt, but knew that he had brought it upon himself. "Tom, I'm sorry about what happened, but you can trust me. I won't let you down again." Tom looked seriously at Ben before he nodded his head. He reached into the wagon and gave him six new Gold squares. "We need provisions. Take Peter with you. Let him look around as much as he wants, but don't draw too much attention. Get whatever news that you can but be back before dark." Ben nodded his head and motioned for Peter to get ready to leave. John quietly stood at Tom's side. "Do you think that was a good idea?" Tom glanced quickly at John. "Of course it was. Ben and Luke made a mistake, they know that they did and they paid for it. Now they have to see that we can trust them again. And if we can't we need to know that now, before it's a matter of life and death; at least for us. For them, well, if they can't be trusted accidents do happen in the night." John nodded his head, "I understand." He quietly walked away. Ben and Peter were back early with the provisions and all the news that they could get. Ben was strictly business, and he showed that he was taking things seriously. Peter on the other hand was very distracted. He seemed to be lost in thought and contributed almost nothing to the news that had been gained. Tom listened closely and nodded often. When they were starting out they lost the first of the families. A week later two more families headed South to start the long trek to Tennessee. Everybody waved and wished each other good luck and God's speed. Tom smiled and nodded his head and wondered how these people ever managed to survive on their own. With one other family still following them they continued to head East. Tom found out that they were heading back to Pennsylvania. About a week after crossed the Ohio River they ran into the railroad crews. Tom smiled as he asked where they would be able to make arrangement for riding the train. The others looked at each other in confusion, but never said a word. The advanced crew said that the Newburg station was up and running. Tom smiled and thanked the man as he motioned to Peter to get the wagon moving again. A week later they said their farewells to the last family, as they headed into town. Newburg was not that large of a town, but with the railroad there it was growing. It took some time and some money, but Tom finally got what he wanted. The train completed its circuit every three days, and they had two days to wait. Since this was the end of the line, at least for now, this was the turnaround point and railcar drop-off and pick-up. It was relatively easy to rent two cars. They spent most of a day loading the wagon and tying it down. The stock car was a little harder to get ready since they wouldn't treat their horses the way that the railroad was willing to treat the other stock that they shipped. Once they had everything securely locked up they headed off to look at the town. It was as they were walking through the town that Tom had an inspiration. He suddenly turned into a tailor's shop. Tom spoke softly and quickly explained what he wanted. The other men looked around the shop with seemingly disinterest, but Tom knew that would change very quickly. After a few of Toms special gold coins changed hands, the shopkeeper whistled and there was suddenly a shop full of young men with tape measures around their necks. The resulting pandemonium brought laughter to Tom lips. The Taylor quickly saw the problem and called for the saddle maker. It took him only a few minutes, a few measurements and a couple of gold coins before he was gone saying that he would return within the hour. The shopkeepers' entire family; sons, daughters and their spouses as well as any of their children all were cutting cloth and sewing. Tom looked around at the men all standing around in their underwear. He couldn't help but laugh at the sight. Even though the warriors had a different view of nudity, the situation was strange to them. Tom motioned to the tailor and pointed out the boots that they were wearing and the tailor frowned. He quickly sent a little girl out running from the shop. When she got back she had in tow another craftsman. The cobbler quickly went to work measuring and writing down notes to himself. After getting his share of the gold he was off and happily humming as he left. Tom smiled at the fun he was having. He waved the tailor over once again and noticed this time that the other warriors winced when they noticed. They had finally figured out that each time he called the tailor over some new indignity was thrust upon them. Even Ben's constant grim had managed to fade over the perceived assault. The Tailor looked them all over closely and nodded his head. Once again the little girl flew from the shop. This time the tailor motioned all of them to follow him. He led them all to the back of the shop and to an empty room. They were all a little confused as he left to return to his business. When the rear door burst open there were four pistols cocked and ready to fire in an instant. The two Chinese men immediately dropped their load and started jabbering in Chinese with their hands in the air. Tom couldn't take it anymore and dropped to the floor laughing so hard he was almost crying. The others all looked at him in confusion, including the startled Chinese men. The others quickly figured out that it wasn't an attack and put away the pistols. The Chinese men breathed a sigh of relief and once again picked up their end of the bulky load. Through the tears of laughter, Tom watched the bath tub the two Chinese men brought through the door and set up. It looked like an extremely long wash tub, higher at one end. No sooner than the tub was on the floor, two more Chinese men were dumping buckets of hot water into the tub. Tom watched the procession of Chinese men, dressed in black pants and shirts with little round hats, running back and forth carrying water and a larger stack of towels. When the tub was full the others watched as Tom dropped his clothes and climbed into the tub. It was hot, but it felt so good that he just closed his eyes and sighed. He was surprised when he felt a pair of hands start washing him. He lazily looked up at the two young women that were scrubbing his body and hair. He had to admit that having somebody washing his hair felt pretty good, at least until she put her hand on his head and shoved him under the water. He came up sputtering, and she just grinned at him before she shoved him under again. They each grabbed an arm and pulled. He knew that they wanted him to stand so he did. He was surprised when they then started washing the other parts that the water had hidden, but he didn't really mind. His own wives did the same thing whenever he let them. When they were finished he stood and watched as one poured a fresh bucket of water over his head, while the other ran her hand in all of the places that the soap wanted to hide. He felt good when they pulled him from the tub and started to dry his body off. When he was good and dry he took a towel and wrapped it around his waist and motioned for John to take his place. John showed no more concern for dropping his clothes than Tom did, and the young women quickly set to work on him as well. All through the process the little Chinese men brought more buckets of hot water, occasionally dipping a bucket full of water from the tub and carrying it out the door. As John was getting dried off the little Chinese men carried in a big chair. This time it took four of them, two at the head and two at the foot. They set the large chair down and immediately took off, while two more carried in arm loads of implements. They were followed by a white man. He strode into the room blustering, that earned him three guns in his face and it ended his bluster. Tom calmly sat in the chair and leaned back. The others watched as he approached the chair. He noticed that two of the men didn't put their guns away. Ben left Robert and Peter to watch the man while he dropped his own clothes and was led to the bath. Tom thought John looked a little funny with a towel wrapped around his waist and a gun belt buckled over it, but he understood that John felt more naked without his gun than he did his clothes. It was the last thing that he saw before a hot towel was unceremoniously dumped on his face. He had to admit that it took him by surprise, but since there wasn't any gunfire it hadn't surprised the others. While the towel slowly cooled on his face he felt the barber combing his hair and clipping it as he went. He couldn't remember ever having anything but a sharp knife hacking his hair off, and noticed that it didn't hurt at all and it seemed to be much faster. He might have to pick up some scissors, to be better prepared in the future. When the barber took off the towel he thought that the air felt unnaturally cold, but realized that it was just the heat on his face, but it still sent shivers down his spine. He watched as shaving soap was quickly brought to a lather and applied to his beard. When the barber picked up the straight razor he noticed that every hand moved toward their gun, and very slowly started to rake the beard from Tom's face. When Tom slid from the chair, John quickly took his place. He was just as surprised when the hot towel hit his face as well. Tom watched as the barber put the top back on a metal bucket at his feet and put the short stick on the top of the lid. He smiled as he realized how he had gotten the towel so fast, and why he hadn't seen him do it. Once Peter stepped out of the tub, the Chinese men started dipping buckets of water and throwing them out the door, into the dirt alley. When the tub was almost empty he watched as the same four men carried the tub to the door and dumped it out. While it was still standing up he saw one of the men throw a bucket of water in the tub and wash it out. He nodded at the efficiency of the whole operation. They lowered the tub back down and each of the men put their bucket in the tub and then it was gone as quickly as it had arrived. While Peter slipped into the barber's chair Tom watched the Chinese women take a few of the towels and drop to their knees and clean up the water that had escaped from the tub. As Tom watched he thought that they appeared to be cleaning the floor more than just getting the water from it. He shook his head at the hard work these people were willing to do for very little money. Tom watched as an old Chinese man came into the room. He had a long beard on his chin that was turning white. His shirt had silver embroidery around each button and on the sleeves, and on his back was a large dragon that was twisting and snarling. It was embroidered in silver with the scales in green and gold and each of the claws were the same blood red as the eyes. It was very impressive. Tom watched the two young women fall to their knees and bow their head to the floor and stay there. The old man looked around the room and with a motion from his hand the two women were once again on their feet and standing with their heads bowed. Tom watched as the old man turned his attention to Tom. He wasn't sure how he knew who was in charge, but he obviously did. The old man bowed low and formally. Tom followed his example and bowed low. The old man smiled and nodded his head. Tom knew that he was here for payment, and he also knew that the old man would never ask for money. It was something that Tom was expected to acknowledge, like a debt. Between honorable men a debt is never mentioned, but both know of its existence. To mention it demeans both. Tom understood the honor of the old man just as he knew the honor of a visiting War Chief. Tom slightly nodded his head and removed a gold piece from the pocket of his pants. He placed it gently into the old man's hand. The old man smiled. He had not met many white men that he thought worth the time to even look at, but as he studied the young man before him he knew that these men understood what honor was. Here were men worthy of his respect, and he bowed low. Tom followed suit and bowed, holding the position for just as long as the old man had. When Tom straightened up he never took his eyes from the old man, but snapped his fingers with a little hand motion. He knew that there had not been a motion that had not been observed by the warriors with him. He knew that they would understand instantly, and was not surprised when every warrior stood straight and then bowed low, for just the right amount of time before they straightened up. The old man was surprised more than he could hope to hide, and his smile split his weathered face. The old man turned to one of the young men with him and handed him the gold coin that Tom had given him. The young man started digging out coins to make change. Tom smiled, he would have gladly paid a gold piece just to feel clean again. For all of them to have a bath and shave he considered it a fair trade. Tom motioned to the young women, "Split it between them." He took a step back and bowed once more and then turned and motioned for the others to follow as he led the way back into the front of the store. The old man was shocked, and turned to the young man and there followed a hurried conversation in Chinese. There was hand waving and head nodding and even a little foot shuffling, but in the end the old man thought hard and nodded his head. He motioned to the two young women and then said a few words. He then turned and walked away with the group of young men following. The two young women looked at each other and then turned and walked to the front of the store and watched their new master trying on his clothes. Each of the warriors was dressed in their new suits. They weren't near as happy about it as Tom was, but even they had to admit that they looked better, and things fit very well. When the saddle maker showed up they were confused again. He had them remove their coats and was shoving buckles and straps all over the place, and suddenly there was a holster for their gun under their arm. Once the pistol slipped into the holster and the coat was back in place you couldn't even tell that they were wearing a gun. The tailor had made the jacket to fit the holster and only if you really knew what to look for, did you have any idea that it was there. Tom was very pleased, and John loved it, even though he said he wanted to still wear the old one too. Ben just nodded his head in agreement. Tom knew that they had trained a long time with the holsters that they now wore, and knew that it would take a long time to get used to the others. He would just have to live with the two of them looking like professional killers. But since they were, he didn't let it bother him too much. The cobbler was next to make an appearance. The tailor introduced the concept of socks to the men. They didn't understand the need, but when Tom nodded, they quickly adapted. The fit of their new short boots was almost like wearing moccasins. The leather was soft and it fit perfect to their feet. There was not a man that wasn't wearing a smile. Tom had to admit to himself that it was money well spent. When the cobbler appeared he had with him a small back boy. The boy carried a box with a strap over his shoulder. There was a place to but a boot on the top and he carried all of his supplies inside the box. The new boots were all soft leather and of course they were rough brown, the color of tanned leather. The boy made it clear that he was not with the cobbler, but worked alone. For the price of a penny each boot would get a coat of boot-black and a shine. Tom smiled and handed him his boots. As Tom waited he noticed the two Chinese Women patiently waiting for him. He assumed that he had forgotten something and turned to address them. When he smiled at them they both dropped to their knees and dropped their head to the floor. To say that Tom was stunned would have been an understatement. Suddenly there wasn't a word said in the shop. Every eye turned to the two women and Tom. Tom frowned and made the same general motion that he had seen the old man make, and suddenly the two women were back on their feet and standing with their heads down, looking at the floor. "Do either of you speak English?" Tom watched as both heads nodded. He breathed a sigh of relief at having some good luck at least. "Why are you here? The two young women looked at each other, and some silent communication seemed to take place. The younger of the two then spoke, "You paid grandfather a very large sum of money for us. We now belong to you. You are our master." Tom snarled at his own stupidity. "I never meant to buy you. I just wanted the left over money to go to you two. Can we go and get this thing fixed?" Both of the women looked at each other again before the younger one spoke, "No. It is fixed. You have bought us. To take us back now would be an insult, both to grandfather and to us. It would mean that we aren't worth keeping. Grandfather's pride would be hurt, and we would rather be dead than to have our family think that we were worthless. We will not go back." The young black boy whistled, "Damn. Daddy always told me how badly they treated slaves, and how he had to risk his life to get away up North. Now, I'm seeing right here two of'em that you couldn't drive away with a stick. Times sho do change." Tom snorted before an idea come to mind. "We live in a place that slavery is not allowed. I can't own a slave, so I have to send you back, and it doesn't mean that you are worthless. It just means that I can't own a slave." Tom smiled at the logic of that and wondered what they would say about it. "We are with you because we want to be. Only you know that we are your slaves, and it is nobody else's concern what we are." Tom frowned. It seemed that they thought it was final, and left no room for discussion. Tom stomped across the room and back twice before he thought that he could say anything without sounding like a wolf with its foot caught in a trap. "How long do I have to own you before I can send you home without offending anybody?" "You will own us until you sell us, give us away, or marry us off. We can never return home without dishonor." Tom growled again and had a sudden thought. He quickly turned around and looked at the warriors. Not a single one of them would meet his eyes. They had something much more important to interest them. He growled again. Tom called in a sweet voice, "Oh Luke..." Luke looked Tom in the eye before looking again at the two young women. They were both very beautiful, young and as he had seen earlier very playful. "I am very sorry Tom. I wish that I could help you, but I have no way to provide for them. Not here, and not like we are living. It is a matter of honor and you should know that." As Luke spoke Tom watched as each of the warrior's heads nodded with the truth of his words. Tom growled again. He knew that it wouldn't do any good to argue with them, as they had the perfect argument. Luke was either a very clever man, or he was telling the truth. Tom didn't know which, but realized that it really didn't matter. He was stuck and everybody knew it. Tom looked at the warriors, "They will serve us, but nobody will touch them. If you don't want to take them for a wife, then you can't use them for your pleasure." Every warrior nodded his understanding. There were a couple of faces that didn't appear to like the idea, but they all understood ownership of slaves. You didn't use another's slaves without permission, and it didn't look like Tom was going to be giving any permission any time soon. With everybody dressed in their new suits, boots and bowler hats Tom led the little group back to the train yard. After unlocking the freight car they put their old clothes with their other things. Tom noticed the women frown at the smell. He smiled, "Ladies, if there is anything that you want to take with you, I suggest that you get it and get ready to leave this town. Also, I want you to have these clothes cleaned. Will you need any money?" Tom watched the actions of the women lifting and piling up the clothes and jabbering in Chinese. They suddenly came to some decision and the older one said, "Master, will cost two dollars for clothes cleaned. We want women things. Can have five dollars?" Tom had gotten various amounts in change and quickly sorted through the money in his pocket. He took a small handful of one dollar coins and put them in the older woman's hand. "Keep what you don't use and use it when you need to. I want you to always have money, in case something happens that you have to have it." The two young women stared at the coins then smiled at Tom. "You good master. We not waste money. We show you that you wise to trust us." Tom watched as they gathered up the clothes and then they were off. Tom wondered at how easily they believed that he was trusting them with a lot of money. He wondered what they would think when he put gold coins in their hands? He turned to the warriors, "Let's get something to eat. The train leaves tomorrow, so it should be here sometime today. They will probably connect the cars today, or tonight, to be ready to leave in the morning. We will sleep in the car with a guard on each side. Before sleep I want the stock car cleaned out and washed down, then put down fresh hay." The warriors nodded their heads. They watched the activity when the train pulled in. the noise was unimaginable, and the violence of the connection of the rail cars was unexpected. Tom ordered that the wagon have extra ropes holding it in place and none of the warriors argued the point. It was close to sundown when all of the activity slowly came to a stop. Tom ordered Luke to stay with the stock, to provide protection and to help keep them calm. Ben was on watch when the young women came trudging back, each with two large bundles. Tom smiled when he noticed that each of the bundles were half as large as the woman carrying it. He wondered how they managed the cumbersome things. He was also pleased that the warriors fell all over themselves trying to help the women with the bundles. He watched as the women sat and opened two of the huge bundles and started taking out clean clothes. He was shocked to see that it was their clothes; clean, folded and even pressed. It made him wonder how they managed to do that in only a few short hours. "How did you get all of those clothes cleaned in such a short time?" Tom watched as they smiled at each other. "We not clean clothes. Family business is laundry business. We took to laundry. They wash all clothes, very fast. Only two dollars for all clothes, very cheap, very good." Tom watched as they motioned to the other bundles. The younger one, who spoke better English said, "While the clothes washed we visited our mothers. We got our things and spent the time with our families. Grandfather was surprised that you didn't come to argue with him. We explained that you are a very honorable man. You would not dishonor us like that. Grandfather smiled and said you are wise man." Tom shook his head in disbelief. "Do you mean that none of your family will miss you?" Tom could not grasp the complexity of the situation, and especially these Chinese people. They once again looked at each other and began to talk back and forth in Chinese very quickly. The younger women looked back at Tom and shook her head. "No, our family will miss us very much. Mother and the children cried when we left." Tom knew that he looked confused, but waited for her to continue. She sighed and looked at her hands resting in her lap. "We are girls. In China, when there are hard times, girl babies are put outside at night to die in the cold. When it is not hard times, girls do the field work. If a good price is given, girls are sold; some for wives, and some for concubines and some for whores. It is the life that a Chinese girl can look forward to. We are lucky. You are rich and will not make us whores." Tom stared at the two women. They were not ashamed of what they were, and if anything even seemed to be proud. "Wouldn't you rather have been wives?" Both young women looked at him like he was stupid, and he realized that it probably was a stupid question. The younger woman once again did the speaking, "Of course we would rather have been wives, but we are well past the marrying age. Nobody came to offer grandfather a price for us. We can't force men to marry us. It was a thing of great shame for us. Nobody came to offer a price, not for wife, not for concubine, not even for a whore. It was a great dishonor upon our family. But then, you offered a great price. More than any other has ever been offered. We now have a respected position, and our family has great honor." Tom thought about this for a time. He watched as they watched him. He didn't speak and noticed that they watched him with a content expression. He knew that they believed every word that they had spoken. He wondered if he had to choose who had to die in his home, who would he choose? He decided that he couldn't make that choice, and hoped that he never had to. But, he could respect the man that did. It was not something that was to be lightly dismissed. Tom got up and took the women's bundles and placed them in the wagon where everyone else had placed their own clothes. He noticed that Luke and Peter had already changed back into their normal clothes. He smiled as he started to remove his own suit and was surprised to find both women quickly stripping him out of his clothes. His long association with his wives allowed him to stand and let them do it. Once undressed, he handed them his old clothes and they efficiently dressed him. He knew that the others were watching, but he ignored them. Once dressed he watched the women carefully fold and place his nice clothes in a special bag that they had gotten from their own bundle and put his clothes away. He went back to sit on his sleeping furs and wasn't surprised when they followed him back and sat at his feet. "Since it looks like you are going to be with me for a while I can't just call you woman one, and woman two so why don't you tell me what your names are?" The women blushed and giggled. He wondered again what is was that made a woman giggle like that and why it sounded so exciting. The younger woman looked at him and sat up straight, "My name is Ping Wong Mei(May)." He looked at the other woman and she sat just as straight and said, "Ping Wong Su(Sue)." Tom thought about it for a minute and nodded his head. He didn't understand the way that they arranged their names, but he knew that their last name had to be their specific name, and not a family name. He nodded his head and looked at the younger woman, "You are Mei." He then looked at the older woman and said, "You are Su." He saw each of them nod their heads and nodded in turn. "Okay, find a place to sleep. Tomorrow will be a long day." Tom lay down in his sleeping furs and was surprised to find a woman snuggling up on each side of him. Once the surprise past, he sighed and wrapped his arm around Mei, who had snuggled in front of him. He heard her sigh happily, closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep. ------- Chapter 34 It was about an hour before sunrise when Tom felt a kick on his foot. He turned his head and looked to see John standing there, "The train men just showed up and started crawling all over the train. I think that they are getting ready to leave." Tom nodded his head. He reached down and pinched Mei on the butt and she squeaked her surprise as she came awake. As he rose up from the sleeping furs he brought a hand down on Su's butt and watched as her eyes popped open and she gasped. He grinned down at the both of them, "We need to start getting ready to leave. Go and do your morning things and we will get the food out." Both women froze in place. "Master, it is a woman's place to prepare food for her master." Tom smiled at them and shook his head. "This is traveling food. It doesn't require cooking. We just take it out and eat it. Now, go and do as you were told. We need to be ready to go at any time." The women looked at each other and were gone. They weren't gone more than five minutes before bouncing back into the freight car. When they were once again in front of Tom he handed each women a piece of jerky and some flat bread. They looked at the strange food and looked at each other several times. After their first bite there was a flurry of Chinese between the two women. "Master, do you really eat this when you are traveling? I mean all the time?" Tom smiled at them, "We eat this when we can't build a fire. The meat has been prepared to keep for a long time, so that it won't go bad. We make extra bread when we cook, so that we will have something and not have to stop. This is a normal travel food that everybody uses." Tom watched the women shudder and choke down the food. "Master, when we travel, you will let us do the cooking, won't you?" Tom smiled and nodded. He watched a sigh of relief pass between the two women and just shook his head. I was almost an hour before the train had a full head of steam up and all of the men had found their places in the train. Tom watched is disgust as they stood around talking and fiddling with things that somebody else had already fiddled with. But, he noticed that at exactly Six O'clock on the dot the train whistle blew two times and the wheels began to turn. They were finally off. They stopped at many stations along the line, dropping off freight and passengers and taking on more of the same. At some locations additional freight cars were added. Twice additional passenger cars were added. It was almost noon on the second day that they passed another train heading in the opposite direction. It looked to have the same configuration as their own and Tom realized that by the time that it reached Newburg it would be down to the same small size that their own had been at the start of their trip. He shook his head at the complexity of the whole operation. He remembered the contempt that he had for the men before the train pulled out. Now that they had been running for a day and a half, only stopping long enough for freight and passengers, he realized that it had been the calm before the storm and he no longer begrudged those men those few minutes of peace. The girls on the other hand were considerably less pleasant. They had gotten very little sleep so far and it was beginning to show. Nobody had gotten much sleep with the train constantly starting and stopping, and when it was rolling there was the constant clank and vibration of the wheels on the track. Tom knew that the passenger cars had to be better and quieter but he couldn't just ignore the wagon and its contents. He moved back to his sleeping furs and motioned for the girls to join him. Even in their foul mood they were quick to comply with his wishes. He wrapped a girl in each arm and put her head on his chest. They weren't there for more than a minute before sleep claimed them. Tom had had worse jobs and enjoyed his time holding the women while they slept. Through the rest of the day and even into the night they slept. Tom even managed to get some sleep himself. It was around midnight when Su woke. She looked around and realized that she was still sleeping on Tom. He was asleep and holding her tightly. He had reached all the way around her small body and was cupping her breast. She had only felt pleasure like that from her own hands, but realized that it was much better when Tom did it. She looked over to see he held Mei the same way. Su grinned and reached over to caress Mei's sleeping face. Her eyes immediately popped open and she grinned back at Su, then she felt the hand on her own tit. She quickly looked up to see Tom asleep. Mei quickly saw that Su was in the same position that she was in, and noticed that she wasn't complaining either. She felt better knowing that she wasn't alone. They both basked in the pleasure Tom's sleeping fingers gave them on their hard nipples. They could tell that this wasn't the first time that Tom had done this, his movements were too automatic. They had lapsed into whispered conversation as they continued to lie on Tom's chest with their faces just inches apart, and his fingers continued to give them exquisite pleasure. They jumped when they heard his quiet voice, "If you two are going to lay there talking you could at least do it in English, so that I could listen to all of your secrets." They giggled, but they didn't move, and Tom didn't stop his gentle nipple torture. Sometime during the night they fell back asleep, and Tom joined them. It was mid-afternoon on the third day when the train pulled into Baltimore. It was the end of the line for the B&O railroad. Tom watched the activity through the boards making up the freight car. He motioned to the Stock car that was riding just in back of them and sent some complicated hand signals to Luke. He nodded his understanding, and that they would stay put in the car until Tom ordered them to leave. Once in the train yard Tom waited for the violent activity he expected. Soon the wait was over as they were uncoupling cars and coupling different cars together. It only took about another hour before they were on their way again. The others were looking at Tom and he just shrugged as he settled back onto his sleeping furs. The girls didn't want to miss any opportunities and quickly joined him to cuddle up again. He noticed that they did switch sides so that he could work on their other nipple. He also noticed that they made sure to position themselves and his hands so that they were right where they wanted them. A couple of quick squeezes and they were sighing gently and burrowing deeper into his arms. He just smiled as he shut his eyes to enjoy the trip. It was well after dark when they rolled into the station. Tom was instantly on his feet. He told everybody to get ready to get moving. The girls complained softly, but they moved quickly. They had the least to do, but made sure to keep out of the way. Tom quickly arranged for a ramp to unload the wagon. Luke had the teams ready when the heavy ramp was slid into place. Tom smiled, they were used to handling heavy freight and the ramp would handle anything that he had to run down it. Tom got the warriors and the girls out of the freight car and noticed that they were all still bouncing as they stood on the platform. The constant motion of so many days was affecting their balance now that they were on solid ground. He thought that it would be the same as getting off of a ship after a long voyage. He knew that they weren't conscience of it, but still thought that they looked funny, then realized that he was probably doing the same thing and laughed at himself. The others just looked at him funny. Luke and Peter hitched up the team and carefully got the wagon down the ramp. It wasn't a quick process, but john and Ben had time to get the horses saddled and ready to go. Tom motioned two of the yard workers over. They were suspicious until they saw that Tom had money in his hand. He gave each worker a silver dollar to clean out the stock car. They grinned and took off to handle the chore. They all knew that they would have had to clean it anyway, but this way they didn't complain about the chore and it kept them busy while the wagon was unloaded. By the time they were ready to go the yard workers were treating everybody like old friends. They even recommended a hotel that was close to a stable. Tom thanked them and even tipped them a quarter. They grinned in appreciation and waved excitedly when the group rolled out of the rail yard. The hotel was not fancy, but a simple working-man's hotel. It was clean and reasonably priced. Since it was close to the rail yard he suspected that they got a fair amount of business from the railroad. His suspicions were confirmed when he went inside and the desk clerk wasn't asleep, and he didn't look like he had any plans to be that way. A motion from John and he knew what he wanted. The girls had also made their desires clear as well. He knew the warriors would take whatever he provided, but it had been a long trip, and it was time to relax a little. The desk clerk looked at the group as Tom told him what he wanted. The clerk was a little surprised and told Tom that for baths at that hour he would have to call in more help. Tom smiled and said that since he would be calling in more help he might as well call in somebody to fix them all a good meal as well. The clerk frowned but nodded his head. Tom then told him that he wanted three rooms together. This caused a new frown as he looked at the room keys available. When the clerk finally found three rooms that were acceptable Tom told him that they had a wagon and horses that needed to be taken care of, and he wanted the horses brushed down and given extra oats as well as a good cleaning. The clerk frowned again and this time Tom slipped a gold piece on the counter, "I know that I am giving you a lot to do, and people to have to be called in and it is a lot of extra work. But let me explain, once everything is paid for, and a nice tip is provided so that everybody is happy about having to get out of bed, the rest of this is all yours." Tom watched the clerk reach for the gold piece and he eyes got big as he hefted the coin. He smiled a big smile and nodded his head. It wasn't more than five minutes when the stable boy came running into the hotel. Luke took the boy and showed him what they wanted done. Smells from the kitchen drew the group into the dining room. Tom stopped and sent the girls to the baths. They complained that they couldn't take care of him while they were in the bath, but they didn't complain very hard. Tom just turned them around and swatted their butts. They giggled as they followed the woman to the baths. The warriors sat around a table drinking coffee and water. John spoke softly, "Tom, now that we are here, where the hell is here, and what are we doing here?" Tom smiled at John. He knew that he hated working in the dark, but he accepted that it was Toms' way. But he had reached his limit now that they had arrived. Tom sighed, "We are in Washington D.C., this is the place that all of the leaders work from. The laws of the white man come from here, and the men that make those laws are here. Some of them live here and some just come here to do their job. But every leader of the white man is here in Washington." Yom could see the gleam in the eyes of the warriors. Tom shook his head. "No, we are not here to kill them all. Besides it wouldn't do any good. I have read about the government of the United States. If something happens to one of them, there is another ready to step in and take his place. Just to inconvenience them you would have to kill all of them at the same time, and they would just send more men to take their places. No, killing them is not the way, or the reason that we are here." Tom noticed the sad looks around the table and smiled. He had to admit that there was a time that he thought about it himself, and he liked the idea. An excellent meal was brought out and they talked as they ate. When the meal was finished and they were once again drinking coffee the girls showed up. Tom raised an eyebrow at them and they blushed. Mei said, "It takes longer for women to bathe than it does men." Tom shook his head and all of the warriors laughed, they had all heard that lie before. Tom called to the kitchen and the girls were soon eating their own late dinner. When they had finished they let it be known that baths awaited each of them and they led the men to their fate. This bath was different from their last bath. There were two bath tubs and Su had Tom strip and get in the first tub. She quickly made short work of him, washing him from his head to his toes and missing nothing in between. She gave him a quick rinse and shooed him over to the other tub. There he just sat and soaked in the hot water. This was something that he was well acquainted with. Mei came and got him and helped him to dry off. As Tom moved over to sit in a chair John eased into the hot water. You could hear him across the room as he sighed. The lack of sleep from all of them on the train was starting to catch up with them. Mei quickly spread shaving soap on Tom and handled a razor like an old barber. She had him shaved and cleaned up before he even knew what she was doing. Before he managed to get his pants on Mei ran to him and took them from him. She brought him a robe that was similar to the shirt that her grandfather wore. This robe went almost to the floor and had embroidery on the sleeves and on the back was a huge dragon that went from the neck to his ass. It was as soft and delicate as a spider web, but as strong as leather. Tom was surprised and delighted. He watched as Mei wrapped a belt of the same material around him and tied it around his waist. He sat in a chair and waited for the others to finish their bath. When Mei finished with John he stumbled into his pants and came over to sit with Tom. "How come every time you trip and fall in shit you come up smelling like a rose?" Tom smiled at him for a minute before he answered, "I don't know, but I won't complain about it either. But, most of the time, just like this time, I looked around to see if I could get a little help, and what did I see? Not one of you big strong warriors would even look me in the eye. When I asked I was told that you just weren't interested. Now that you see what you are missing, you want some of the good life. Think again. You will not be able to afford it. I will suck the blood right out of your veins to get hold of just one of these girls." John groaned, "Did you have to remind me that we had a chance and screwed up?" John shook his head in disgust. "You can bet that if we find any more of them for sale, I will have a couple of my own." Tom grinned. Mei finished with Peter and sent him off toward the others, while the girls finished their cleanup of the room. There was a pile of towels and the cooling water to deal with, but everything else was cleaned and polished. Tom nodded his appreciation of the girls work and they smiled happily. Peter slipped on his shirt and boots and said that he was going to sleep in the wagon. Tom thought for a minute before he said, "Get the extra canvas tarp and sleep in the loft. If anything happens it will wake you, but it will also give you a chance to react without giving your position away." Peter nodded his head and slipped out of the room. The girls had informed the women that were in charge of the baths that they were finished and before Tom and the warriors could even get out of the room a group of older boys descended with buckets and started emptying the tubs. Tom shook his head. He was amazed just what you could get people to do for just a little gold. He wondered if he could just buy everybody in Washington. ------- Chapter 35: The Center of Power Tom and John spent three days riding around the city of Washington. Tom quickly determined that the Northeast area held the homes of the powerful. Many of them were as large as the hotel, with wide sweeping drives for carriages. John was not impressed, but Tom knew that if he was to impress these people he had to live among them. They found a few that were for sale, but the one that intrigued Tom was one of the largest ones in the area, but it had a sign that stated 'For Inquiries see Eugene Snelling, at the Bank of Washington'. Tom wondered why a bank would own a house like that. He decided that he would see this Mr. Snelling. As they rode back into the heart of the city Tom said, "I know that you don't like it here, but at least living in a place like this will be easier to keep everybody safe." John snorted as he looked around him, "The real fear isn't keeping anybody safe; it's stopping them from becoming what everybody around here is. And this area has more of that kind than the others we have looked at." Tom looked at John for a minute, "Are you concerned that I will fall under the spell of these people?" John didn't answer immediately, and that in itself was a sort of answer to Tom. "You might be right, but you are here for a reason, and that reason has always kept you safe from things like that. But the temptation for the others bothers me, especially Ben. He jumps into everything whole hog. Sometimes it's hard to keep him with his feet on the ground. The only time that I don't have to worry about him is when he is watching out for you. He knows that is his main job, and he does take it seriously. Maybe it is the only thing that he takes seriously. He also has a taste for the whiskey. If it was anybody but Ben, he would have already been dead." Tom nodded his head as he thought about John's words. There was the possibility that the others would fall under the spell of the rich and powerful, but he didn't believe that it would be a problem if he could keep control of the gold. "From now on I will have Ben travel with me. It will keep him working and out of trouble. I want you to watch the others and keep an eye on the gold. They can't fall under the spell, if they don't have a lot of gold." John grunted and nodded his head, "I would rather keep an eye on you myself, but I can see that it would be better in the long run. Make sure that you keep Ben focused on his job and not on his mouth running. He gets distracted if he talks too much." Tom grinned, "Don't we all?" John frowned at him before he saw the smirk on his face, then they both broke out laughing. It was a little later that john asked, "So, where are we going now? I thought that you wanted to find one of these castles to move into." Tom smirked again, "We are going to see one Mr. Eugene Snelling, at the Bank of Washington." John groaned, "That huge hotel? Are you just going to ride in there and say 'how much is that hotel on the hill?' Aren't you even going to talk to anybody to see what it is worth? That doesn't sound like you." Tom thought about it for a minute. He realized that he had fallen into a trap of sorts himself. Since money didn't really mean anything to him, he saw that he had been wasting it. It was also a form of the same thing that John had been talking about. He saw that it was an easy spell to fall under. He shook his head slowly and resolved to put an end to his childish behavior. "You are right as usual, John. I think that we should seek out a lawyer and set him to work on the problem." John looked at Tom strangely, "I thought that you were a lawyer?" Tom laughed. "Not me my friend. I might know a lot about the law, and maybe even more than a lawyer does. But one that works and lives here, he knows how to find out the information that we need. I could do the same thing, but it would take longer and in the end it would cost us more in money and time." John grunted his understanding, but obviously reserved judgment on the issue at hand. As they rode back to the center of town John pointed out a number of lawyer's signs. Tom looked at each and shook his head. When John pointed out a small sign at the entrance of an alley, Tom smiled and nodded his head. John couldn't understand why he chose this one instead of the others. John inquired, "So, why this lawyer instead of the others that we passed?" Tom grinned and shrugged his shoulders, "Small place, probably a kid just getting started. The other places were big, or looked expensive. They wouldn't care about a little job like this, no money in it for them. A kid just getting started needs the money, if he wants to eat. So, I thought it would be a good place." John grunted and nodded his head. Tom had been right. The young man sitting at the desk looked younger than Tom. He looked at the two men warily, "What can I do for you gentlemen?" Tom smiled, "We are looking for a lawyer. We have need of your services." The young man promptly smiled and offered his hand. "Welcome, gentlemen. What can I do for you?" Tom smiled and told him about the property on the hill and the sign directing the inquiries to Mr. Snelling. The young man listened and nodded his head. When Tom was finished explaining that he wanted all the information about the property the young man was quick to answer, "I'll have to charge you twenty dollars for work of that kind." Tom smiled and shook his head, "Just because I am interested in property on the hill, doesn't mean that I am stupid. If you don't want the job all you have to do is say so." The young man frowned. He had hoped that it would be easy money, but it didn't look like it now. He even feared that he would lose the job all together. "Okay, I can do the job for Ten dollars, plus expenses." Tom shook his head slowly, "Five dollars, plus reasonable expenses." The young man frowned again, "Who determines what a reasonable expense is?" Tom looked him in the eye and said, "I determine what a reasonable expense is. And anything unreasonable you will pay for out of your Five dollars." The young man frowned deeper, "But you can claim that any expenses are unreasonable." Tom nodded his head, "Yes I could. If I was unwilling to pay expenses I wouldn't have agreed to pay them. But I'm not going to allow you to call anything an expense and not question it. You had better make sure that your expenses are reasonable and required. I want it as soon as possible, and I want you to be sure of your facts. If there is a rumor, you can include it, but I want it explicitly documented that it is a rumor, and not a fact." The young man nodded his head and held out his hand to shake. "Stop by at noon tomorrow, and we'll see if what I have come up with will be enough." Tom shook his hand, and then put Five dollars on the desk. The young man smiled as the two men left his small office. Tom was restless the rest of the day. He sent the warriors to different parts of the city to see what news they could gather. His expression made it clear that he wouldn't be as tolerable of mistakes as he had been in the past. Ben and Luke quickly exited the room. The girls did everything they could to get him in a better mood, but he still resisted their charms. They were getting frustrated at his lack of progress on the personal front, and especially their personal fronts. Tom was surprised at the amount of news to be had simply by sitting and listening, or even asking complete strangers about their business. He didn't understand a lot of what had been gathered, but he listened to each piece of information. 'Maybe someday all of this will make sense, ' he thought. At noon the next day Tom and Ben were at the office of Arron Brown, Attorney at Law. Tom was surprised at the amount and quality of information. Each page was neatly printed with a new type writing machine. One of the expenses was for four cents per page, for type writing. Tom suspected Arron did the type writing himself, but couldn't complain at the results, or the cost. He didn't know where Arron had gotten all the information, until he found the three pages of reference pages at the end of the report. He then noticed that each entry noted a reference entry. He was impressed with the work of Mr. Arron Brown. Reading through the report, Tom was encouraged about the prospect of acquiring the property. He noted the items that would assist him in his negotiations, and the areas that might be a problem. He decided that with the information on hand he was ready to meet with Mr. Snelling. Tom looked at the bill and decided that Three dollars and fifty cents was a reasonable expense charge. He placed five more silver dollars on the desk and thanked Mr. Arron Brown for his services. Tom and Ben left the office heading for the Bank of Washington. Tom had to wait for fifteen minutes to see Mr. Snelling, as he didn't have an appointment. He didn't think that the wait was excessive, as it gave him more time to read through the report. The older man that was Mr. Snelling's secretary showed the two men into the private office and left quietly and closed the door. Mr. Snelling was a bald and seriously over-weight man, dressed in fine clothes. His bushy eye brows were the most striking thing about him, they pushed up and out in every direction. Tom was captivated watching them as the old man spoke; they would move and waggle and bounce around as he spoke and Tom found it distracting. He suddenly realized that the man knew that he was distracted and it was probably the reason that he had the things. He suddenly set his attention on looking at the man's eyes and listening to every word. Once Tom explained the reason for the visit, Mr. Snelling studied Tom closely and shook his head. "Young man, I am sure that you think that you know what you are doing, but I assure you that you can't afford a house like that. I doubt seriously that you have the capital required, and a loan would be out of the question, unless you have sufficient collateral." Tom smiled at the man, "Mr. Snelling, I never said anything about a loan, and I assure you that I can afford the property in question. The only thing that we have to discuss is a reasonable price. The rest we can handle from there." Mr. Snelling once again smiled that tolerant smile of his and continued, "Very well Mr., ah ... Sherman isn't it? I can tell you that the property is selling for $7500.00. Tell me Mr. Sherman, do you have that kind of money?" His grin was almost feral. Tom smiled back nicely, "Yes Mr. Snelling, I do. But I won't pay anywhere near that kind of money. We both know that when you took over the property for sale from the state that it was valued at $5000.00, and since then you have been paying wages to the house staff, instead of hiring security men to watch the place. And all requests for maintenance have been ignored. There are outstanding taxes due, and if you have to hold the property for another year you will be lucky to get $3000.00. Tell me Mr. Snelling, did I miss anything?" Mr. Snelling sputtered a few times before he answered, "You may think that you know a thing or two, but I can easily get $6000.00 today for that property, and I won't take a penny less." He huffed in his chair a few times. Tom Smiled at the display, "Well Mr. Snelling, if you can get that, I suggest that you run right out and sell it. But in case that you have trouble I will tell you what I will give you. I will give you $3500.00, and you will pay the taxes owed and the costs of maintenance." Mr. Snelling smile slipped from his face, "Okay young man, I will consider $5000.00 and you pay all taxes and maintenance." His face took on a hard glint, and Tom knew that he was now dealing in the area of reasonable cost. Tom's smile slipped from his face as well, "Mr. Snelling, I will give you $3750.00, you will pay the taxes and I will pay the maintenance. The only answer is yes or no, there will be no further discussions." Tom sat back confident in his offer. Mr. Snelling chewed on his lip in thought. He slowly reached into a box on his desk and took out a cigar. He studied Tom closely as he pushed the cigar into his mouth. He took a match from his waist coat pocket and struck it on the edge of the desk. As the haze of smoke exited from his mouth Tom heard the crisp, "Done. But I want to see the money before I start any paperwork." His smile was back once again. Tom smiled at him as he made a quick motion to Ben. Ben stepped up and placed the saddlebag that he had over his shoulder onto the desk. He reached in and took out a small leather bag and placed it on the desk, it was followed by three more. He then closed the saddlebag and hefted it back onto his shoulder. Tom Smiled, "There is Four Thousand dollars, one Thousand in each bag. I assume that I will get a receipt?" Mr. Snelling reached for the first bag and opened it and turned it upside down and watched as gold squares hit the desk with a solid thunk. His eyes got big and he dropped the cigar out of his mouth. He quickly recovered and grabbed his cigar and tossed it aside, and he picked up the first gold square and hefted it in his hand. "We will have to weigh this, just to verify the amount." Tom wasn't smiling when he said, "Mr. Snelling, I assume that your scales are as accurate as the men who man-made these. If there is any discrepancy I will sell this gold myself, at a place that I think is honest." Mr. Snelling flushed and grunted a few times before he said, "Young man, this is the Washington Bank. Our notes are accepted from New York to Virginia. Nobody has ever had any reason to doubt our honesty. If your weights are true, we will agree on the amount." Tom nodded his head, "Mr. Snelling, why don't you have your scale brought in and we will know if your scales are accurate." Mr. Snelling huffed a couple of times, but nodded his head. He reached back and pulled a bell rope behind him. Immediately his secretary was in the room and standing beside the desk. "Bring in the scales." Tom watched as the scales were gently placed on the desk, and the two trays slowly balanced themselves. Mr. Snelling and his secretary looked at Tom. Tom stood and retrieved one of the gold squares and then reached into his waistcoat pocket and placed his Fifty Dollar gold piece on the other side. He heard Mr. Snelling gasp as they watched the two trays balance once again. Tom smiled, "I don't think that we will have any differences in our count, Mr. Snelling." He noticed that Mr. Snelling couldn't take his eyes from the gold piece. "Is that a real Fifty Dollar gold piece? I heard about them, but they said that none were in circulation. Where did you get it? Can I hold it?" Tom smiled as he put the coin in the banker's hand. "I got that out west. It is the only one that I have. I don't know about circulation and things like that, but in Kansas City there were a large number of them." The banker frowned deeply, but handed the coin back reverently. Mr. Snelling put all of the gold back into the bag and handed all four bags to his secretary, "Weight this and make out a deposit slip for Mr. Sherman." Tom raised his hand, "You can make out a deposit slip for two hundred and fifty dollars, but I expect a receipt for the purchase price. We have a deal Mr. Snelling, and I expect a binding receipt before I leave here today." Mr. Snelling's bushy eyebrows came together in a deep frown, but he nodded his head. Tom stood and motioned to Ben. "We will wait in the chairs outside. I am sure that you have many other important things to get done. When will you have my deed ready?" Mr. Snelling was slow to answer, "It will take a few days. The deed will have to come from the state. I should have everything ready for you to pick up on Friday." Tom smiled and nodded his head. He then led Ben back out, to once again sit in the chairs and wait. Ben frowned, "Tom, why didn't we wait in his office instead out here where everybody can see us?" Tom slid his hat down over his eyes and looked to the whole world like a man falling asleep. He quietly spoke so that only Ben could hear him, "Do you think that everybody in this bank will not know that they are weighing our gold? Out here they can see us, but we can see them. If anybody is going to think about starting any trouble, at least we can see it coming. Also if anybody shows too much attention to us, we will know who to be watching for." Ben thought about that as he kept a close watch on the many eyes looking in their direction. Back at the hotel they told the story of their banking experience. When they were finished John said, "Okay, so now you own this place. Tell us about it." Tom smiled. "Well, it has three floors and twelve bedrooms. It sits on almost one hundred acres. It was owned by an old man named Wheeler. When he died he had no heirs, you know no relatives to leave it to. So, the government took it. They were going to sell it, but somebody higher up in the government found out about it, and found that they were selling it to relatives for almost nothing. They put a stop to that and decided that they would have the bank sell it for them, for a piece for the sale price. That is why Mr. Snelling was so intent to get as much as he could. The more it sells for, the more he gets. Since that is the condition, not too many people were willing to pay that much money. Since then it has run down a little, we will have to put Peter to work fixing the place up." Mei spoke up, "There will be many things that we will have to buy for the house. It will take a long time to find them all." Tom smiled at her, "No that will be the easy part. Everything is just like it was when the old man died. They are selling it lock, stock and barrel. I have a complete list of everything in the house. Mr. Brown got a list from the state and included it in his report, at four cents a page. There is also the house staff still living there. They are supposed to be looking after things. Mr. Snelling decided that it would be cheaper to keep them on, rather than hiring security men to watch the place around the clock." Mei frowned for a moment before asking, "Do you trust this banker?" Tom sat on the chair and slipped his hat down over his eyes and said, "Not as far as I can throw him, and he is a very fat man." Both the girls giggled and the men grinned. Tom stretched and sighed, "So we just wait until Friday. Then we will have a house to live in, and a lot of work to get done." Tom could see Peter almost drooling at the idea and laughed to himself. "Master, if you need workers we will be glad to get them for you," Mei was quick to volunteer. Tom looked confused and nodded his head to Mei. She grinned, "We have already met with the local Wong Su clan. They are one of the families living in the city. You haven't noticed that your clothes are always clean? They are hard workers and charge little money. They work cheaper than grandfather, but we think that it is because there are many families living in the city. This city is very large." Tom considered her information and nodded his head to her. He would wait to see what was going to need to be done. "Okay, let's go get some dinner and see how many people think that they can take our gold away from us." Only one group felt brave enough to try and rob them, and they didn't fare very well in the attempt. Tom was shocked when the girls turned out to be almost as deadly as the warriors. They had little throwing knives concealed all over their body and were quick to put them into various tender parts of the robber's body. Tom had to admit that a little three inch knife was very effective when it was sticking out of a men's eye, or neck. He shuddered once, but realized that he had done worse. He thought it was the fact that the quiet, soft-spoken girls that did the deed that made it seem worse. He made a resolution not to underestimate those women in the future. ------- Chapter 36 Surprisingly it was a fairly quiet few days. It gave Tom time to prepare for Friday. Friday morning Tom was sitting in his new carriage with Peter and another man. Ben was riding his own horse. Promptly at Ten O'clock they pulled up to the Washington Bank. Tom went in alone to complete the sale. Mr. Snelling appeared to be in a good mood once again, and Tom was pleased. The deed was ready and Tom looked everything over carefully. Tom requested a separate bill of sale for the rest of the contents. Mr. Snelling seemed put out but Tom quickly pointed out that it was part of the sale, but not covered in the deed. Mr. Snelling complied, Tom smiled. Tom asked that Mr. Snelling accompany him to the property, to insure that all was as it should be. Mr. Snelling agreed to meet Tom there in half an hour. Tom smiled and shook his hand before quietly leaving the bank. They had been waiting for fifteen minutes when they saw Mr. Snelling's carriage coming up the front drive. He seemed confused when he looked at the small group. Once out of his carriage Tom made the introductions, "Mr. Snelling, allow me to introduce Peter Blane, a carpenter that works with me. And this man is Mr. Hooper, he works for the state." Mr. Snelling frowned, "I know Mr. Hooper, but what is he doing here?" Tom Smiled, "He was sent with us for the day. I went to see Mr. Fitzgerald at the state about the contents of the house. He explained that the state was not responsible for the contents of the house. The contents of the house had been guaranteed by the bank, under contract. So, Mr. Hooper was sent to assist us and to protect the state's interest. Since he was the man that inventoried the house and compiled this fine list of all of the assets, I thought that he would be the perfect man for the job." Tom smiled at the stricken man. He wondered if he would drop over of heart failure. "You can't hold the bank responsible, not after all this time. Anything could have happened, and I sold it 'as-is' there is a clause in the agreement with the deed that specifically removes all responsibility of anything missing or damaged." Mr. Snelling was full of righteous indignation. Tom continued to smile as he said, "Yes Mr. Snelling, I noticed that clause. And I won't hold the bank responsible for anything missing or damaged on the property. But I also have a separate bill of sale for all of the items in the house. That bill of sale has no such clause, and the bank will be responsible for everything Mr. Hooper identifies as missing, or damaged." Tom waited for the news to register in the older man. Tom watched as he huffed and puffed a few times, but he knew that the old banker would sooner or later come to the conclusion that he had been put over a barrel. Mr. Snelling did come to the same conclusion, and he realized that he had assumed that the young man was another in a long line of overconfident young men without the experience to spot a crafty businessman. He realized that he had been outmaneuvered by the young man, and wouldn't let himself be so easily manipulated in the future. He grunted and accepted his position with all of the grace that a cornered animal would allow. Tom smiled and motioned to the two older gentlemen to lead the way, while he followed whispering instructions to Peter and Ben. Tom met the house staff. They were surprised to learn that Tom was the new owner, but quickly came to terms with the situation. Willard the butler was a very rigid person. He stood stiffly dressed in his uniform. There was not a speck of dust anywhere that Tom could see. His white shirt was starched so heavily that there wasn't even a crease. He stood looking at the assembled men with the confident air of a general looking over his troops. His thinning hair was swept back and neatly in place. His bold brown eyes took a measure of each of them. He never smiled, but stood as still at a statue. Rebecca was the maid. She was a young woman that had her blond hair swept back into a tight bun at the back of her head. She also wore her uniform proudly, but where Willard looked as though he had just put it on, Rebecca's uniform showed the wrinkles of her hard work and dust at the hem of her long dress. Her blue eyes danced as she looked the powerful men over. Tom wondered what she was really seeing as she looked at them. Molly the cook stood out in her own way by the apron tied around her widening middle. She had fiery red hair with a few wisps of gray sneaking into the red. She was definitely middle-aged and had started to spread in the way that many women do when they slowdown in life. Her green eyes still held the fire in them as she looked at each of the men. Willard bowed formally and with a stiff accent, equal to his stiff uniform, "Master Thomas, it is good to meet you. I am sure that you will feel at home quickly here." Tom smiled at the man as he thrust out his hand to be shaken. "Will, just call me Tom. I feel more comfortable when people are relaxed around me." Tom watched as Willard slowly straightened back up and looked at his hand, but made no move to shake it. "Ah, yes sir. The name is Willard, Master Tom." With that Willard casually moved back to let Tom meet the women. Tom grinned and shook his head. He could tell that Willard was going to be an interesting person. Rebecca was the next to step forward, "Just Becky for me sir. I'm not a fancy person and I don't hold with a lot of airs. Will you be getting me some help sir? This house is terribly big for just one maid. I'm sorry sir. I didn't mean to start complaining the first thing. But I'm sure you know what I mean, sir." Tom smiled at the frustrated young woman, "Relax Becky, I am sure that you have done your best here, and we will see what can be done about getting you some help. Maybe you know someone that you would like to work with, that may be looking for a job?" Tom noticed the smile on Becky's face as she nodded her head. She quickly stepped back in line with the others. Molly stepped forward and curtsied as she bowed her head, "Tis a pleasure to meet you I'm thinking." Tom looked at her closely and wondered what she was really like. "There will be eight of us for dinner, Molly. If you need anything please feel free to let me know so that it can be taken care of." Molly was quick to continue, "Sir, the pantry is rather bare at the moment, and the larder isn't any better. We can't possibly handle eight for dinner." Tom smiled, "How much will it take to stock the pantry and larder as well as she smokehouse?" Molly smiled sweetly as she said, "Well sir, Tis an awful shape we are in, nary a thing to eat in the whole house. I'm thinking I can stock us up proper for about thirty dollars." Tom noticed the others gasp at the amount, but Molly didn't bat an eyelash. Tom watched Mr. Hooper take out a ledger and move off through the house, followed closely by Mr. Snelling. Tom reached into his waistcoat pocket and removed a gold square. "Here is fifty dollars. I expect to see receipts for everything that you buy." He noticed Molly bristle, "Are you saying that you don't trust me?" She huffed with defiance in her fiery eyes. Tom smiled at her, "No, I'm saying that I want an accurate accounting of the money. I will check the receipts and if I ever find that you have cheated me, I will make you wish to your last breath that you didn't." As Tom spoke his voice continued to drop as he got closer to Molly, until he finished with his face almost in her face, and only she could hear what he said. Molly immediately jumped back with big eyes, "Yes sir, tis an understanding that we have. I'll have Willard drive me into town and be back quick as anything, we will." Tom watched the house staff scurry to the back of the house. He turned to Ben, "Watch them." Then turning to Peter he said, "Find out how much work that you will have, and be sure to check everything. I don't want any surprises later." Peter nodded his head and quickly moved off to begin his examination of the house. Tom left to catch up with the two men and the inventory. Tom wasn't surprised to find that there were things missing. Even though most of the things were small and unimportant, there was the matter of the silverware; as in the case of pure silver. Mr. Hooper valued it in excess of three hundred dollars. Mr. Snelling was outraged and made plenty of noise about the whole thing. Tom motioned Mr. Snelling aside. "Mr. Snelling, if you will agree to wait for a week I might be able to recover some of the things. Recovering anything will lessen the bank's responsibilities, so you don't really have anything to lose. And who knows what might happen?" After quick consideration Mr. Snelling agreed. Mr. Hooper provided a complete list of what he found missing and damaged, shook hands and promptly asked for a ride back into town. Tom was about to have Peter drive him back when Mr. Snelling offered to let Mr. Hooper ride back with him. He quickly agreed and the two men left. Tom called the staff together. After putting the list on the table Tom spoke slowly and clearly with plenty of eye contact. "This is the list of the missing items. You have four days to return them with no questions asked. After that the bank will have you charged with theft. If you can't return the items you had better be so far away in four days that 'wanted posters' can't even find you." With that Tom turned and headed for the door, with Ben and Peter close behind. The rest of the group at the hotel was excited to be leaving. They had spent enough time there that it no longer had the appeal that it did those first days. They all wanted to be at the house for their own reasons. John and Ben wanted someplace that they considered it easier to maintain Tom's security. Peter wanted to start in on the repairs, and Robert and Luke wanted someplace that they didn't have to sleep in the loft watching the gold. The girls want to stake their claim on their master's house. Lastly Tom wanted to get to work. He felt that he was failing his people if he wasn't actively working to do them some good. They all packed quickly and were ready to leave shortly after Tom returned. They were excited and talking during the trip to the house. When the others saw it for the first time there was silence. Each person had their own thoughts. Robert and Luke stared with open disbelief and the girls suddenly started in rapid-fire Chinese to each other. Tom couldn't imagine what they were saying, but it wasn't important to him. They would learn to adapt. Peter had a quiet conversation with Tom. He had found that the servants had not been allowed in the small library. It was where old Mr. Wheeler had managed his personal business there. The only key had been turned over to Mr. Snelling, who kept important papers for the house in the desk the old man had used. Peter noted the covering of dust throughout the whole room when he made his inspection of the house. He also noticed that there was a closet and a small storeroom connected to the library. Peter suggested that the storeroom was the best place to keep the gold. He suggested that they move it after dark, through the window of the library. After they had it safely moved he would work to make sure that it would be protected. Tom nodded his agreement, and was curious what Peter had in mind. When they arrived Tom introduced everybody to the house staff. Willard greeted everybody in his own warm manor. Each person received a polite bow as he repeated each name. Becky curtsied to each of them and giggled a lot. Molly held her tongue while the men were introduced, but turned and stomped off before Tom could introduce the girls. He suspected that there was trouble brewing in the future, and wondered if the girls could cook as well as they claimed. Dinner was not elaborate, but it was good and there was plenty of it. After dinner Tom called Molly and asked for the receipts and the change. She bristled again but quickly left to follow instructions. It was almost fifteen minutes later that Molly returned. She placed the small stack of receipts and money on the table without waiting for Tom to say anything. Tom looked things over and saw a couple of things that he didn't like the looks of. The green grocer had some terribly high prices on things, and he decided that the man needed to be talked to. Tom handed the bill to John and pointed out the items in question. John and Ben had learned to read and write, but Tom would not call them proficient at either. They could get by as long as they had the time to work it out. Tom thought that it was a shame since the other warriors were very proficient. Little Mule had taught all of them that wanted to learn how to read and write. Their jobs working with Black Otter and Running Deer didn't require them to read or write, but if they wanted to have access to the books that Tom had given the men, then they had to learn to read. He smiled to himself, it had been a ploy to get the older men interested in reading and writing and it had turned out much better than he had ever dreamed. Tom was happy to admit that all of the Cheyenne people that had moved to the valley had taken to the white man's work and was doing very well. Carpenters, farmers, smiths and ranchers were the major jobs, but there were so many more. Each of them was strong and proud of their accomplishments and they were insuring the continued existence of the others. Before he left Tom was able to see that there would be large amounts of grain and vegetables to be stored for the winter. They would have a good winter and with more land cleared they would be able to have even more for next winter. The plan was starting to come together, if he could just keep the white man out of their valley for a while longer. It was well after midnight when the warriors backed the wagon up to the library window. Tom put the only light in the storeroom. He watched as box after box was passed through the window and stacked in the storeroom. With the small amount of gold that they had used on the trip, he couldn't imagine what he was going to do with so much gold, and hoped that he would never use all of it. After locking the window and doors they all went quietly back to their rooms. After breakfast Tom took Luke with him into town. Peter took the wagon in to get his building supplies, and John and Ben went to visit the green grocer. Each person had their tasks to accomplish, and the ones that didn't Tom told them to help out the ones that did. Tom and Luke went down to 14th Street and Tom enrolled at the Columbian College. He thought thirty dollars was a little steep for tuition, but he didn't have a lot of choice in the matter. Even though Luke was surprised he expressed his own desire to attend some of the courses. After Tom thought about it he signed Luke up for the same government and political classes that he was taking. Luke wasn't happy about the selection as he had wanted metallurgical classes, but Tom reminded him what their real job was. He also promised that he could take the other classes later. Luke still wasn't happy, but he agreed. After a leisurely lunch, in an almost empty restaurant, Tom and Luke returned to the house. Tom did not expect to walk into the bedlam that he found. He was no more in the door than the heard Molly screaming her way to him. When she got there she had her hands on her wide hips and had fire in her eyes. "I will na have it! I want those godless monkeys outta my house! Those two 'hores of yours took over two of ma' servants' rooms. I wan' them all out of this house!" The cold hard look on Tom's face was nothing compared to the look in his eyes when he turned them on Molly. She flinched back when she saw his eyes. He saw the fear in her as she took a step back. His voice was low and cold and made Luke's hand instinctively drop to his gun, "If you don't like it bitch you can get the hell out. This is my house, not yours, and you will not tell me what to do in my own house. But we won't have to worry about that much longer. I sent two of my men to the green grocer to see just how much you tried to steal from me. When they tell me what they found out, I will be coming for my money. One way or the other, I will get it. Either in cash, or in flesh your debt will be settled." Molly took another step back before she turned and ran for the kitchen. Tom smiled, but his eyes still had the same hard glint. As they were watching Molly run Tom noticed Robert coming to the greet them. One look at Tom and he turned to see the last of Molly's dress swish around the corner. He grinned at the sight. "I'm glad that you are back. Those two women of yours have kept me running almost constantly since you left." Tom released the anger and allowed a true smile to settle on his face, "And just what have they and you been doing?" Robert grinned, "You wouldn't believe it. Come look at this." Robert led them back to the large door and out into the circular paved drive. He pointed at the four Chinese men swinging scythes while two more raked the cut grass. Tom quickly looked and noticed that all of the grass on both sides of the drive between the road and the house was cut back to where the men were working. He hadn't noticed when he arrived. Robert then pointed out the two men on each side of the drive working in the flowerbeds. They were turning the soil and preparing to plant. Tom once again seemed surprised. As he turned to Robert, "I have heard that this is nowhere near everything that is going on, show me what else they have had you doing." Robert grinned and motioned for them to follow as he led the way back inside the house. They followed him toward the back of the house. As they got closer Tom could clearly hear the sounds of construction. The hammering and pounding led the way as easily as Robert did. When they approached what appeared to be the two rooms that had Molly so upset Tom noticed the number of Chinese men and women running in and out of the room, carrying things. Robert led the men into the middle of what was now one large room. Tom looked to see that there indeed had been a wall between the two rooms, but now he could see where it had been removed and the repairs were already completed. In the middle of the room was Su, directing the workers like a general directing her troops. Tom smiled that it might be more accurate than he first thought; they certainly seemed like an army. Tom asked Robert, "Do any of them speak English?" He noticed several heads turn in his direction. One of the men suddenly stopped his task and come over to them. He studied Tom for a moment then bowed very formally, upon straightening back up he said, "You are Master Tom. Su and Mei have described you so that you can be no one else. It is an honor to meet you, sir." Tom found himself bowing to the man. He was still young, but considerably older than Tom. "I am Wong Su Li(Lee) and this is my family." Tom looked around the room and the many Chinese men and women working as well as remembering the ones outside. He had a grin when he said, "Li, your mother and father must be very busy people." Li looked confused for a minute before he burst into a big grin, "Master Tom these are not all my brothers and sisters, but brothers, uncles, cousins and even children of concubines. But they are all Wong Su and that makes them family. These few are not all of my family, but just the ones that were hired to work for you. The Wong Su clan is strong; we have many men with fine strong sons." He was justifiably proud and Tom began to understand when Mei said that it was the Wong Su Clan. As Tom looked around at all of the workers he couldn't help but notice what appeared to be a small steam engine. He pointed at the engine and nodded his head, "Is that a steam engine?" Li looked at the small engine and nodded his head, "Yes, well, it used to be a steam engine. Come let me show you what we have done. Mei and Su are marvelous young women, you must be very proud. They thought up the system. They told us about it when we first met. We were very lucky to find the engines for sale. It did take a while, but the failed canal system had three that they were selling, and we managed to get all three. After we strip everything that we don't need it leaves us with a boiler and a very efficient water collection system that saves us time and work. Water is collected and put back into the system, so we don't have to keep replacing the boiled away water." Tom noticed that Li seemed very excited about the whole thing, and proud of his knowledge about how it worked. "Mei and Su explained how their family used such a system back home and we decided to give it a try. It has already saved us time and money. We can now clean twice the same amount of clothes with the same amount of water, and we don't have to wait as long for the water to heat up. With the drying machine they showed us to build we are doing almost four times the number of clothes in the same time. We are greatly indebted to them. This is only a small part that we wish to repay them." Tom looked to see Su looking shyly at him, and he smiled at her. She blushed and when one of the women asked her a question she appeared to be confused for a minute. The older woman looked and Tom and smiled a knowing smile. Su suddenly put back on her general's hat and became the driving force of the operation once again. Tom turned his attention back to Li. Li motioned to a part of the room that had been sectioned off to make an additional room. Tom couldn't figure out the use, or the need of the room, but assumed that at some point the idea of it would become clear. Tom noticed that Peter had come into the room and had started a quietly whispered conversation with Luke. He watched as the two men talked animatedly for a time before both left, still whispering to each other. Tom turned his attention back to Li just in time to hear that his cousin Wing was an expert at plumbing, and it took Tom a few minutes to figure out that plumbing was the art of putting pipes together. "Is it really that hard to put two pieces of pipe together?" Li looked at Tom for a moment before he answered, "No, I can put pipes together as well. But where mine will leak, and I will have to hunt to find the places to fix, Wing's pipes never leak. He doesn't have to hunt and fix errors, because he 'feels' what the pipes are doing when he puts them together. I can't tell you why he can do this, but he says the pipes talk to him." Tom nodded his head, "I know a man who can carve statues of people and animals out of wood. He also says that the wood talks to him and tells him what it wants to be. I don't understand what he feels, but the beauty that he creates cannot be denied." Li nodded his head, "It is good that you understand, for I cannot explain it either." Li motioned to the boiler and the piping that was attached. "Wing crawled under the house and took apart the piping to the pump in the kitchen. He put in a section that would allow the water to go to the kitchen and to here. Then he attached another pump here to feed the boiler, and another line to feed cold water to the tub and the steam-room." Tom was quick to pounce on the answer to his unasked question, "Show me the steam-room." Li smiled, "That is a thing of great beauty. In China only the very wealthy have a steam room. In the mountains, where hot lakes exist there have been spas built to allow people to bathe in the hot water. The natural steam, from the water, is trapped into rooms and the people enjoy the steam before getting into the water. With the steam engine, the steam can be piped into the room and when the walls have been sealed it keeps the steam in the room. It is a simple thing, but Mei and Su tell me even her own family has not thought of it, yet. It was Wing that showed us how easy it would be, and I envy you the experience." Tom grinned at Li, "I have felt a steam room before, along with a natural hot pool, but I have never heard of one inside a house. Wing is a cleaver young man." Li was amazed, "I have never heard of a hot lake in this country. Have you been to other countries?" Tom shook his head, "No, it was here in this country. We also have mountains and in one I found a hot spring. I enjoyed it many times, and the steam that comes from the pool. You are right, it is a simple thing but very clever, and Wing should be congratulated." Li puffed up with pride at the words of praise. They walked back toward the workers, who were installing shelf after shelf on the walls. "Why are you installing so many shelves?" Li looked at the shelves, "These, Master Tom, are for towels. Once the walls have been finished it will make this room warm and won't have to worry about cold air giving you chills." Tom nodded his head, and thought that it would be nice. Tom looked at Li, "Have you put in vents that will allow the steam to escape once we are finished with it? Even this room can get too warm without a vent for fresh air. One of my men, Luke, is a smith and has made and installed such vents before. You would like to talk to him?" Li was staring off into nothing, and Tom wondered if the man was sick when Li suddenly snapped back looking around. "Master Tom, forgive me, I was thinking. I understand your concern and I agree with you. Please excuse me for a few minutes while I have this small detail taken care of." Tom watched as Li did not wait for an answer, but turned and started speaking in Chinese to a multitude of people. Workers all around the room stopped and listened. Some went back to their tasks, and others took off to do other things. Tom watched all of the activity with wonder. He had directed warriors in battle, but he didn't think that directing a room full of workers would be anywhere near the same thing. Mei came quietly to Tom, "Master, what did you say to Wong Su Li?" Tom looked at her for a minute as she waited expectantly. Tom shook his head gently and shrugged his shoulders, "I only asked him where the vents were going to be. With the boiler and the steam this room could get very hot and uncomfortable, and I pointed it out to him." Tom watched as Su got very excited. She reached up to grab him behind the neck and pulled him down for an extremely hot kiss. Tom noticed that she didn't look around to see who was watching, and it didn't seem that she cared. "You very smart man. You make concubines proud." Then she strutted back to the center of the room. She was obviously proud, just like she had said. Tom wonder if he should tell her that he had learned about venting through trial and error, but decided that it wouldn't change anything as far as she was concerned. When Li returned he also had many fine things to say, but once again Tom decided that silence was the best course of action. 'Besides, ' he reasoned, 'the more I say the harder it will be to explain.' Tom smiled and nodded his head at the compliments, and hoped that they would die off soon. In an effort to change the subject Tom thought about another thing that he had been thinking about. "Li, are there any other young women that you know of, that are in a situation like Mei and Su were in?" Tom quickly held up his hands, "And No, they aren't for me. I am happy with the concubines that I have. But, there is a man that works for me that has expressed a desire for concubines of his own. They would have to be confident in themselves and have a tough character. He is a hard man, but also a fair one. If it tells you anything about him, he is the main man that keeps me safe and he is serious about his job." Li was slowly shaking his head back and forth as he thought. Tom was pretty sure that from Li's actions he wasn't going to have any luck. Li suddenly looked him in the eye, "Master Tom, in all families there is usually a girl that passes her prime without interest being shown. Sometimes it is a matter of money, or attitude or in a few cases she is so quiet that time passes before anyone knows that she has past the age of honor. But a thought came to me that there are two sisters, twins that have long past that age. They have made no move to restore their family's honor, and even seem happy to continue as they are." Li took a minute to look around before he continued in a very quiet voice, "The main reason that they were ignored when their time came is that they wouldn't consider any but the same man. They demanded to stay together. Young men don't earn enough for two wives or concubines. There was a rumor that, in the night, they were closer than even sisters are supposed to be. Where older men aren't distracted by things like that, some young men see it as a challenge to their honor. So, for whatever reason they have remained unclaimed, to the shame of their family. If your friend is interested, I will make an inquiry. It would help the family's honor. In my family they would already have killed themselves, or they would have been helped." Tom nodded his head that he understood. He looked at Su, the older of the two and he knew that she told him that she was eighteen, and Mei was seventeen. He wasn't sure what the 'time of honor' was but thought that it was important to understand. "Li, how exactly does the girl's time come? What is the 'time of honor, ' and why are these women in danger of 'killing themselves'?" Li looked at Tom for a minute, before a quick look around the room. He moved very close to Tom and spoke almost in a whisper. "Things like this are not a secret, but it is not normally spoken of in a public place. Since there is no reason that you shouldn't know I will tell you, but this is considered public, so we must keep our voices down." Li took another quick look to see that nobody was within hearing range then continued, "When a girl becomes a woman there is a great celebration, She wears a beautiful gown and her hair is pinned up on her head. In simple terms, she is dressed as a woman in public for the first time. She is the center of the celebration. From that time she is considered a woman." Li took another quick look around, "From the celebration she has one year that she learns, from the other women in the family, what it means to be a woman, and the things needed to be a woman. During that year she will be visited by many men while her family watches. It is a time to see if she would make a good wife, and a good match for the family. A wife is part of the whole family, not just one woman. There are times that good women are ignored because they do not fit well with the family. Any man that would take a wife without his family's consent would have no family." After another quick look he continued, "Any time during that year an offer can be made. Regardless of when the offer is made they must still wait until the year is up before there can be a marriage. Offers are rarely withdrawn, but it has happened. Also, it is not unusual that no offers are made during the year, if it is deemed that a woman should mature a bit more. After the year she is accepted as woman and visitors are no longer required to be chaperoned. Many men wait for this time before they visit, the older men looking for concubines especially. The celebration and the following year are considered to be the 'time of honor'. If a woman has not had offers after three years from her celebration she becomes an embarrassment to her family. After four years, she brings shame on the family, because there is obviously something wrong with her, or her family that nobody would want her." Li looked quickly around again as he stepped back to where he had been initially and his voice returned to normal, "Ming and Ping are from the Hong Shu Clan. They are twenty years old, and it has been seven years since their 'time of honor'. You can see how their family has suffered, and they must soon take action to save their honor." Tom nodded that he understood. He had never heard anything like this in his life, or even what he had read. He could understand their actions since it involved honor, but he didn't think that he could kill his own child because others thought she wasn't good enough. He did understand that there were times that honor demanded death. "Inquire about the women and what they would expect as payment. One of my men will be interested, or I will have two more concubines. There is no reason to these women to die." Li nodded his head, "I will see to it tonight." As he shook his head he added, "You know that you are too soft, don't you?" Tom smiled a feral smile, and his eyes lost the emotion that had seemed so friendly, "I've never heard that said about me before. Maybe there is hope for me yet." Li saw the change and immediately regretted his words. Tom's response sent shivers down his spine, and he knew that this man was a very dangerous man. Li bowed formally and took a step backward. It was the polite way to end a conversation. Tom seemed to understand the gesture and bowed before walking away. When John returned he had a simple tale to tell. "You were right about the bill. After a little talk he explained the whole sad story. It seems that some of the local housekeepers, cooks, maids and even a few mistresses have an agreement with him to pad the bill and split the profits with him. Of course he explained that it was always them that suggested the arrangement. He told me many times that he would never do something like that, but their sad stories made him just want to help them." John grinned and add with a wink, "I told him that if I ever heard of it happening again that I would visit each of his customers and explain his stealing game to them, even if they weren't one of the ones cheated. For some reason he thought that was most unkind of me and couldn't understand why I would do something like that. He even complained that it would hurt his business." John laughed at the impossibility of the situation. ------- Chapter 37 He was still laughing when Tom changed the subject on him, "You said that if there was ever another situation like the one that I found with Mei and Su that you would be interested in it. Is that still true, or have you changed your mind?" John's laughter died in his throat. He knew that Tom wouldn't be asking this question if there wasn't a good reason. He didn't have to think for very long, "I meant what I said, and nothing has happened to change that opinion. Why do you ask?" Tom told him everything that he had learned about Ming and Ping. John was interested and was happy about the fact that they were older. John was in his middle twenties and that made them closer to his age. He was not happy to find out that their life was in danger or the reason for it. John then surprised Tom once again, "I don't know if I would want a couple of women like that. It doesn't seem right that they would do things like that together." Tom stared at him for a few moments, "What about it seems wrong, or does the thought that what they do make you question your being a man?" Tom watched as John stiffened at the question. John looked at Tom searchingly; he was trying to figure out if he was being the butt of a joke. Seeing that Tom was serious he thought about the question. "I don't know exactly. I never thought that it would make me less of a man, but I wonder if maybe I wouldn't feel like they wouldn't have a need to be with me. That does bother me. To have a couple of women that would rather be with each other than me. Yes, that would make me question my manhood. What would you do if your women started acting like that?" Tom smiled, "Let me ask you a question, what do you think they do when I am gone all of the time? Do you think that they sit around the lodge tanning hides and waiting for me to return? Do you think that they grab any passing warrior and drag them in the lodge when nobody is looking?" John thought about this for a moment before his eyes got big and he gasped, "You don't mean that they do those kinds of things with each other, do you?" Tom couldn't hold the laughter back, but once he managed to get it back under control, and wiped his eyes he said, "Oh yes, they do those kinds of things. Hell, if they didn't how would I even hope to walk with six wives? Look at the benefits; they are much closer with each other and that means they get along better, it helps take the edge off when I am not home, and lastly when I am home I don't have to try to keep all of them happy every night. If all of them thought they would rather have each other than me, then I must be doing something wrong." Tom knew that John had a lot to think about, but he wanted to get it all out so that he didn't have to go over this again. "John, how you treat a woman is not like raping a captive. You have to know what you are doing and what a woman likes. If you give her pleasure she will respond well, but just taking your pleasure and leaving her to find her own will not make you a popular man in the lodge. Have you ever seen my women greet me after I have been gone? Do the other women act like that with the other warriors?" Tom saw that he had John attention now. "A woman is like a gun. Any fool can use a gun, but think how long you worked to learn to use that gun better than anybody else. It took time, patience, practice and the desire to learn how. A woman is just the same. They are easier to learn, and the patience, practice and time are a lot more fun. Not to mention even when you do it wrong your efforts are appreciated." Tom grinned at John. After a minute John grinned back, "I think that I am going to have to have a long talk with you about pleasing a woman, or more to the point two women. This appears to be something that you understand, and I don't know how to do it, at least not the proper way. I can't remember any of the other warriors even mentioning it either." Tom's smile was slipping as he said, "Yes that is a sad fact. Most of the warriors don't have a clue what they need to do, but how do you tell a warrior that he needs to learn how to treat a woman? That is not something that you just walk up and say. I have started teaching the young warriors, and they are teaching the next ones and in time most of the warriors will get the message. But it won't happen overnight. Now, as for you, that is another matter. You are ready and willing to learn, so that makes it easy. You might not like what you hear, and you might not believe some of it, but you can believe me that it has all been tried and tested." Tom motion to John to follow him, "We might as well begin. It isn't really that complicated. You just have to forget what you know and accept some new ideas. The first is that the most important sex organ is in your mouth..." John was sitting outside on the steps thinking when the importance of what Tom explained to him really hit him. 'The Cheyenne warriors that I know will never accept what Tom told me. That means that they will never live a happy and peaceful life, because their women will not be happy.' John shook his head and decided that he wanted his lodge to be as happy as Fighting Hawk's lodge. Once that simple decision was made he realized that the things that Tom told him weren't so impossible to consider doing. 'Hell, if Tom can do them, why can't I? It doesn't make him any less a warrior, if anything it makes him a better one. He never has to worry about his lodge.' With his mind made up the complexities of his decision seemed to drift away. He felt at peace about things for the first time since he heard about the women. John couldn't manage to keep the smile off of his face when he went to see Tom. Tom took one look and knew what he had decided and smiled at him as he nodded his head. The two men knew exactly what had passed between them. Tom did manage to wipe the smile off of John's face when he told him it was time to talk to Molly. His smile faltered, slipped and then was gone completely. Tom nodded at the professional inside his friend. When Tom and John opened the door to Molly's room they found it empty. Her packing was done quickly and they even found a few of the things that were from the missing list. "Go tell Mr. Snelling what happened. Take him with you to the train depot. You might get lucky, but there's no reason to let her get away easily." John nodded his head and was gone in seconds. Tom went to Becky and asked, "Do you know anybody that would like the job of cook?" She looked at him for a minute before her eyes got big. "What happened to Molly?" Tom noticed that she didn't seem upset, but curious. He found that curious. "She decided that it was time to go. She even took the time to pack a few things. Not everything, but a few things. I sent John to get Mr. Snelling and to see if they could catch her before she left town. Mr. Snelling will swear out a warrant. Then she will have a very hard time getting out of town. With any luck, we will get to see her in jail before too long." Tom smiled at the buxom blonde as he watched her gulp like a fish. It amused him to watch her and wished that there was something more that he could say, just to keep watching her. "Yes sir, I know of a few women who would be interested, even my ma would be interested." Tom smiled at the woman, "As much as I respect you wanting to help your family, she would have to be able to cook for all of the people here. That is a lot of cooking, and planning what she will cook, and we can't forget buying the things that will be needed. Also remember, do you want your mother living here and telling you how to do your job, just like living at home?" Tom smiled as the pretty girl shivered at the thought. "Well, my mom does take care of my younger brothers and sisters. She really wouldn't be able to leave them alone, since she would have to live here. So it probably wouldn't be a good idea to ask her, would it?" Tom just shook his head in complete agreement. The last thing that he felt that he needed was another woman thinking that she was going to tell him what to do. Besides, Tom knew that Becky didn't need her mother in the house watching her shake her ass at the men, like she had been. He smiled as he thought about all of them enjoying the sight. When Tom went to check on the workers he mentioned to Li that the cook had taken off. He was surprised, "You didn't treat her good?" Tom shook his head, "She was here when I bought the house. I found that she was stealing from me, and told her I was coming for the money. She packed what she could and ran. I think that we will catch her, but I need a new cook. I asked the maid if she knew of anybody that would be interested, and she said that she knew a few women that might be." Li was surprised, "You mean that you won't let your concubines cook and clean for you?" Tom noticed that Su's ears picked up the conversation. "No, I don't want my concubines spending their time cooking and cleaning. I will have a cook and a maid for that. I want them doing the things that I tell them to do, and taking care of me, not wasting their time doing simple tasks." Li nodded his head in understanding, "That is a wise way to do things. They have impressed me and my family. It would be a waste of their abilities. Do you want me to send you a few cooks also? I know of some fine cooks." Tom thought about it. "You would have to understand that they would live here. It would be like losing family. But I won't promise to give them the job, it will depend on who impresses me the most." Li laughed as he listened, "Master Tom, I do know other people besides family. I understand that it would be hard to send family, but there are a few older women that are alone and would welcome the chance to cook for you. And I know of one woman that has past her honor and she is a wonderful cook. Her family runs a restaurant; it is one of the reasons that she was ignored. Unless you run a restaurant the family match isn't very good, those are just her skills. It would help restore the family honor." Tom shook his head before he asked, "Tell me Li do you know every woman that is disgracing her family?" Li laughed and smiled as he said, "Yes Master Tom, I do. It is a small community and I know every Chinese man, woman and child. I attend every celebration that I am invited to. When an offer isn't made I know about that as well. I do what I can to help all of the families. We compete for work, but we are all still Chinese living in a strange land. You might not understand that, but I think that somehow that you do." Tom nodded his head in understanding, "Send them to me, but make it known that I will not be swayed by anything but good food. If they want a job they have to earn it. I will start talking to cooks tomorrow. When I find the one I want, I will stop talking to cooks. Tell them to come early or it might be too late." Li nodded his head, lost in thought. Tom took the opportunity to follow Li's earlier example and bowed politely and back away before he turned and walked away. He wasn't sure that Li immediately noticed. He had just cleared the doorway when he was attacked. It took a minute to realize that it was Su and Mei with both of their arms wrapped around his neck at the same time, and pulling him in two different directions. He used a method that worked with his wives, he picked up both women pulling them close to his body. It stopped the tugging at his neck. "I hear what you tell Wong Su Li. You say we important women." Su babbled in his ear. "You have given us a great honor, master. The other families will hear how important we are. Even as concubines we will stand almost equal with the wives of the families. We will be very respected. Thank you, very honorable master." Mei's little speech didn't make a lot of sense to Tom, but he didn't think that it was necessary that he understood all of the little details of their life. Once he managed to get them off of his neck he made his way back to the library. He had intended to see what books he had gotten in the deal. He was surprised to hear work inside the room and the door locked. He knocked and was surprised to hear Peter's voice call out, "Go away. You can't come in here, we're working." Tom was a little shocked to hear the authority in Peter's voice, but as he thought about it he grinned to himself. Tom decided to see what else he had gotten, so he headed off toward the stables. He found a large barn and the stables about a hundred yards from the house. He noticed that none of the noise would carry to the house, unless it was a serious situation. He realized that these people who lived in this type of area had many people working for them doing the mundane things, while they concentrated on more important things. He noticed that his life at the Cheyenne village had been a lot more like this than he noticed at the time. He realized that many of the everyday things that got done around the village were done by somebody else, and he never thought about it. He knew that his wives did a lot of those little things, but he also knew that there were others that they couldn't do. He wondered who had been taking care of those things now. He chastised himself to pay more attention to the things that go on around him. He decided that somebody needed to take care of the horses. He quickly found a curry comb and a brush, and after a little searching he even managed to find a pick. He set out with the first horse; brushed and combed him, and then used the pick on his hooves. It took about fifteen minutes to get the horse looking good and he moved to the next one. It was late in the afternoon when Tom finished. He was putting away the tools when Robert walked into the stables. A quick look showed that there wasn't anything to do for the horses. "Already got all of them cleaned up?" Tom nodded his head as he headed to get a shovel. "Just have to shovel out the stalls and it will all be done." Robert quickly grabbed the shovel, "I'll take care of that. It will give me something to do." Tom looked at Robert and realized that he honestly had nothing to occupy his time. He nodded his head and turned to go back to the house. When he entered he noticed that all of the workers had gone. He also noticed that Mei and Su were working in the kitchen. He didn't say anything. When he started for the door to check on the work Mei was quick to head him off. "It isn't finished yet. If you need to wash your hands you can do it in the sink here in the kitchen. I will run the pump for you." Tom shrugged his shoulders, he could demand and he knew that both of them would give in easily, but he decided to let them have their fun. Once cleaned up and dried off he moved to see if he could get into the library yet. He found that door locked too, but he didn't hear anything going on inside. He wondered if they would let him get a book. When he saw John coming in he was happy to have something to do. "Are you just getting back?" John growled as he answered. "Yes. That Snelling is a coward. He wouldn't even go to the train station without a constable. The constable didn't even have a gun. He carried a leather tube filled with sand that he called a sap. It wasn't very big and it was kind of floppy, but I saw him use it on a man trying to get friendly with a woman, he dropped like a stone. So I guess he is armed enough to handle these sheep around here." John snorted once and took off his hat and hung it by the door on the hat rack. He turned to go into the house and Tom walked with him. "I went ahead to the train, but I didn't see her there. When Snelling and the constable got there they decided to wait until the last train of the day left. About an hour ago she showed up, slinking through the back door and made her way quickly to the ticket window. The clerk told her to wait while he sent a boy to run after us. When we got there she was surprised to see us and tried to bluster her way through. The constable took out the sap and hit his hand a few times and she wilted like a dying flower." Tom and John settled on the couch in the parlor. As they sat Tom noticed that Peter and Luke followed them in to join them. "Well, since she didn't put up a squawk the constable just led her to the lockup by the arm. I made sure that she knew that I was there, and that I would shoot if she ran. When we got there she refused to admit to having anything to do with the stealing. When we checked her bundle we found more than four hundred dollars that she had hidden in there. She tried to say it was all savings. Nobody believed that and she knew she couldn't hold to that story. So, she decided to tell about the green grocer and his scheme, and claimed it was all from that." John grinned at the group, "That's when Snelling showed the color of his fur. He said that since he had been paying the grocery bill for that past year that she had admitted to cheating and stealing from the bank. He told the constable to have her arrested for bank robbery. You should have seen her face. She looked like a fish; with her eyes so big and her mouth opening and closing and nothing coming out. It was worth the whole afternoon just to see that. Then she started begging and pleading, when she got around to offering her body I couldn't take it anymore. I have to admit that it was the first time I saw Snelling show any interest. After he looked at me his interest dropped right off. I told him we would be watching to see what happened. He nodded his head and I left. I don't trust that snake." Tom thought for a few minutes and listened to the others venting their opinion on the virtues of Mr. Snelling. Tom grinned as he had to admit that he didn't think much of the man either. As they were talking over the events of the day Su came to the parlor and stood in the doorway until she had everybody looking at her, "Dinner ready. Come get ready to eat. We have good Chinese dinner." All of the men looked to each other before they followed Su back toward the kitchen. They gathered around the table and each found a spot that they were comfortable with. Tom noticed that they were the same spots that they had used the day before. He assumed that they had staked out their claims. Tom watched as the girls brought in large bowls of things that he had never seen. There were large platters of meat he was sure was beef, but he had never seen beef cooked like that. And the chicken, well he knew it was chicken but he still had to convince himself. The vegetables were something entirely different. Some of them he did recognize, but most of them were beyond him. He just didn't know what he was supposed to do. He looked at Robert to see him examining some of the vegetables. His glance confirmed to Tom that he didn't have a clue about them either. During their trip east they had found out about potatoes. They also found out that they liked potatoes. As Tom looked around the table he didn't see a single thing that was a potato, or made from one. They all decided to wait until the girls had everything on the table and see how they handled things. Once the girls had all of the dishes on the table they started for the kitchen. Tom stopped them with a word. "Stop! I expected you to eat with us." Tom watched as the two women slowly turned and looked at each other. "Master Tom, it would not be right for us to sit with you. Chinese women do not eat with the men. Even wives and children eat at a separate table. We have done as you have told us, but tonight cooking good Chinese food for you, it made us realize that it is not right." Tom frowned in thought. "I know that you have worked hard fixing us this meal. I am very sure that you are both very good cooks. But this food is Chinese food. We haven't ever eaten Chinese food, and we don't have any idea where to even start. We want you to sit and show us what we need to do." Tom looked at the women expectantly. He saw the light of understand shine in their eyes. He watched as the women quickly conferred and then they smiled and each took the empty seat on each side of Tom. He listened and watched as the girls identified each dish. Some of them he couldn't pronounce any more than he could identify what was in it. Some of them he was warned were very hot. He wasn't sure what they meant until he tried one. He understood quickly after that. He watched as each of the men tried the hot food. It was a similar reaction for each of them, and he realized that it was something that wasn't in their experience. They had never had spicy food, and especially hot spicy food. He noted that their food was mostly bland, with only salt or pepper as a spice. Here was a whole world of flavor and taste. He wondered if they should change how they ate, would they be able to go back to the bland seasonings once they were used to something different. He didn't know, but decided that he had to live for the now. If he survived, then he would deal with the future. He had his first experience with rice. He found that it was good and he liked the taste. He noticed that the girls ate rice and vegetables, but stayed away from the meat. When Tom mentioned it to the girls he was surprised at the answer, "In China meat is very expensive. Only the rich eat a lot of meat. Mostly, Chinese people eat rice and vegetables. We use seasonings to give it flavor, but it is the food of the common people. Here in America meat is easy to get, but we aren't used to eating a lot of meat. We know that you always eat meat, so we cooked you many kinds of meat. We haven't had a lot of experience cooking meat and we hope that we did it right." Tom nodded to them. "It is all very good. We just don't have experience eating the same type of food that you eat. We eat meat and vegetables. We have almost no spices, just salt and pepper. Our food is basically bland, but it is how we are used to eating it. We don't know what a lot of the vegetables that you cooked are, but they are good. I like the rice, and the vegetables and the meat. You did a very good job." Tom leaned close and whispered to Mei, "The hot stuff you made is different. We have never even heard of something like that. But the taste is good and the flavor grows on you." Tom pointed to John as they watched him scrape the last of the hot spicy beef onto his plate. There were tears running down his cheeks and his nose was running, but he still speared another piece of meat and chewed vigorously. The three laughed softly. Tom watched the girls clearing the table and asked about the staff, did they get their dinner? The girls nodded their heads and said that they fixed plenty and Willard and Betty carried theirs to the staff dining room. Tom didn't know that there was a staff dining room, but wasn't surprised. He had already seen the division of the classes and knew that they did what was expected of them while working here. Tom knew that he couldn't change things too much or he would stand out as different, and he believed that a change like that and Willard would be gone. It was obvious that he expected things in a rigid framework, and wouldn't take well to change. Tom shrugged to himself, 'Besides, I don't know how things are really supposed to work. The more that I change things would only show how unprepared I am to be here. The more I leave things alone the more normal that I look and the easier that I am accepted.' After eating Tom and the men sat around the table and Tom looked at Robert, "I want you to start growing vegetables. There are a lot of different vegetables here that are different, as we have seen tonight. I want you to learn how to grow as many different types as you can. Also I want you to find out about the spices and see how many different types of those you can grow. When we leave we will take the best that we can find and see if our people think the same as we do. I believe that potatoes will be quickly accepted, as I am sure many of the vegetables that we had tonight. It is the middle of fall and I know that winter will be here soon. There will be little that you can do, but you can still learn what you need to do for spring. Gather your seeds. Prepare notes about growing each thing. The more you can learn, the better prepared you will be when spring arrives." Robert was excited and seemed that he wanted to take off and get started immediately. Tom looked around the table and saw that each man was watching his excitement with a grin on his face. Tom realized that he had that same grin as well. He waved to the others, since he knew that Robert hadn't seen or heard anything at the table since he finished speaking. He got up and headed for his room. ------- Chapter 38 When he got there he wasn't prepared for the shock that awaited him. He closed the door softly. Before him the women had arranged themselves on their knees, wearing only a single silk gown. He could almost see every inch of skin, and there was no doubt about any place that the silk touched. It was almost like they were covered in smoke. Tom stayed close to the door. He moved a chair over to sit so that he could face the girls. He made sure that it was well out of reach of them. He knew from past experience that he would lose any argument if they managed to get their hands on him, before the argument was over. He knew that an argument was likely and wanted to be in the best position possible to state his case. As Tom settled into the chair he spoke softly, "Well ladies, you look very lovely this evening. Is there a reason that you are waiting for me like this?" Tom watched the silent communication between them before Mei spoke, "You have given us great status in your house. You have honored us before the eyes of the other family clans. You returned our family's honor. You could have made us whores, but made us concubines. You have treated us like honorable sisters, but we are not your sister and we don't want to be honorable with you. We want what a concubine gets. We have waited a very long time, and we don't want to wait any more." Tom smiled at the two anxious women, "There is so much that you don't know. Some things you may never know, and you still want to be my whores." Tom watched the shock cross their faces and smiled at them. Tom raised his hand to stop the outburst that he knew was coming. "A whore is an honest woman. I have a lot of respect for a whore. She sells her body to men willing to pay her. A wife sells her body to one man and thinks she is better than a whore. A concubine is no different. A wife, a concubine and a whore; there is no difference. Each sells her body for the security that a man offers. A whore simply accepts her position and makes no pretenses." Tom watched as Mei quickly went over what he had said to Su. Even though she understood English pretty well, Mei was sure that she didn't want there to be any doubts about what Tom had said. When she was finished Tom looked at the two women as they considered what he said. Su softly said, "You want us be whores?" Tom shook his head. "You are concubines, as that is what you wish to be. In your mind you believe that concubines will do certain things for her master. But there are things that as a concubine won't do, that a whore will. That is the honesty that I spoke of. There are things that a wife will not do that a concubine will; still more belief that she is not a whore. You see what I am saying is that the only difference between them is what they think is beneath them. Do you understand?" Tom watched the whispered conversation once again. It was Mei that answered, "I think that we understand what you are saying. A whore has to be honest with herself, while a concubine and a wife think that they are different and act that way." Tom nodded his head. Once he was sure that they had turned their attention back on him her said, "Basically that is what I am saying. I have six wives at home. Each of them know what I expect of them. They will not hesitate to do what I tell them to. When I left one was naked with a rope around her neck. When I first got her she slept outside tied to a post. She now sleeps inside with my other wives. That is how I treat my wives, do you think that you will be treated any better?" Tom watched the quiet conversation between the two and saw a bit of head shaking and nodding. He wasn't sure what was being discussed at any given point, but knew that it would be interesting to know. Mei spoke softly, "You will treat us that way?" Tom laughed loudly, "Oh yes, I will treat you that way and much worse. If a woman disobeys me I will strip her naked and tie her to a post in front of my house and allow any man that wants to, to use her. If she continues to disobey I will take a stick to her back while she is on the post. You don't want to know what I will do after that. Your life belongs to me and I will take it anytime that it suits me. Do you understand your position clearly?" Once again the conversation was quick, and both women looked at Tom a lot more seriously. "We understand master. A Chinese woman already knows these things. She is the property of her father when she is born, and if she is married she is the property of her husband, and a concubine or a whore is the property of her master. We live because our master allows it. It is the way that all Chinese women are taught, but most American men do not understand these things." Tom nodded his head. "I am not your average American man. It is one of the things that you will not know about for a long time. Now back to the question at hand. You can get up and leave here and I will treat you as I have been, but if you stay I will treat you like my whore. I will expect complete obedience from you and I will punish you if you fail me. I will leave this to you." The conversation was very short. A few quick whispered sentences and both of them were nodding their head. They both bowed their heads to the floor and stayed there. "Master, we will stay and accept whatever you wish to do with us." Tom shook his head. He thought, 'Why is it that every time I tell a woman how bad I will treat her, and give her a chance to run, she stayed there and tells me how happy she will be to be treated like shit. Is it something about women in general, or have I just always met the wrong women?' Tom wasn't smiling when he asked, "Do you have a way to stop from getting with child?" The women looked up at him like he had just kicked them in the stomach. He noticed the hurt looks in each of their eyes. "You don't want us to have your children?" Tom shook his head, "This is not the time or place for children. This is not my home. This is a place that I live and I have a job to do here. I will make enemies and I will not have children to allow my enemies to use against me. Know this, if my enemies take you to use against me, I will let you die before I surrender to my enemies. What I have to do is too important. All of my men know that I will order them to die until I have finished my job. Even then most of them would not allow me to die to save them, but that is their choice once my job is done. Until then their life will be used as needed, and they know this." It was Mei with hope in her eyes, "You will allow us to have your children, one day before you return home?" Tom shook his head, "No, you will have my children at home; where they will be as safe as I can make them." Tom watched the women for a minute as they processed what he said. Su was the first that her eyes went wide. Tom was surprised when Mei did the same thing. "You mean that you will take us to your home with you? Where your wives are? You would acknowledge us to your wives?" Tom didn't understand what the big deal was, but it apparently was something to them. "Yes, I will take you home and you will meet my wives, if we all live that long. But you still haven't answered my question; do you have something to stop you from getting with child?" It was Su that answered, "Have herbs, not get baby when take herbs." Tom nodded. He had found out from Thundering Buffalo that all of the women in the village knew of the leaves of the Sporka bush. They ground it up and brewed a tea with it and it would stop them from having children. Tom guessed that there was some type of herb known throughout history that would do the same thing. He could only guess that it was how people controlled having too many children to feed. That or a woman's butt was going to get awfully sore. Tom stood and motioned for the girls to stand. "Okay get those clothes off and get in the bed." Tom watched as they stared for a minute. When Tom just looked at them they realized that he was serious. They shyly dropped the gowns and moved to each side of the bed. Tom was surprised at their actions. They actually appeared to be trying to ignore each other. He thought as he removed his own clothes. Comments that Li had made gave him a clue as to the reason, and he smiled. Tom hoped that he could live through two virgins in one night. He was determined to do his best, and hoped that he lived. Since Su was older, she had waited the longest, so she would go first. He crawled up on the bed between the two women. He found it almost funny the way they watched his every move, and stared at his body, and tried to not see the other woman in the bed. Tom decided to get their attention. He got out of bed, went over to his clothes and picked up his gun. He turned to the two women on the bed. He raised his gun and said, "One of you must die. Who will it be?" Tom waited for the women to understand what was going on. He saw it when recognition came into their eyes. He turned the gun on Mei, "So do I kill you, or Su?" She looked panicked for a moment but when he moved the gun to face Su she suddenly came out of shock, "No master, kill me instead." Tom had a sneaky smile on his face, "Why should I kill you and not Su?" He waited while her mind churned, "She is older and wiser. She will be a better concubine for you." Tom turned the gun back to Mei and she closed her eyes, "So you would rather die." As he put the gun to her head Su suddenly spoke up, "No Master. Kill me. Mei young and strong. She understand better. She be better for you. Kill me, let Mei live." Tom put the gun to Mei's head and cocked the hammer, "Before you die, do you love Su enough to die for her?" Without her opening her eyes, he heard a soft, "Yes." He turned the gun to Su and put it to her head, "Do you love Mei enough to die for her?" Su ever closed her eyes but looked into Tom's cold, hard eyes. She nodded her head, "Yes." Tom slowly let the hammer down and lowered his gun. He turned his back on the two women to walk across the room and put the gun on the table. As he walked he moved the empty chamber back under the hammer. He turned and looked at the two women looking at him with tears on their face. Tom thought, 'they were ready to face death, but they still had a lot to learn about life.' Tom pointed to the spot in front of him, "Get over here, now!" He saw them scramble off the bed and run to the point on the floor that he had pointed to. They both hit their knees when they reached the spot. He noticed that they were so close to each other that they touched from the hips to the knees, and from the shoulders down their arms. They both looked up at him with puppy dog eyes, pleadingly. But he doubted that they even knew what they were pleading for. Tom walked around behind the two and squatted down between them. He took a handful of each of their hair in each hand and quickly pulled their heads back. He turned Su's face to him and he kissed her demandingly. She was confused at first, but she quickly returned the kiss with equal enthusiasm. When he broke the kiss the turned to Mei and kissed her. She had seen what happened with Su so she was ready for the kiss. She immediately kissed him with passion. When he broke the kiss he moved the two girls' faces together. They resisted, but he was strong enough to force their lips together. He knew that they were not really kissing. He whispered, "You love each other enough to die for each other, but you don't love each other enough to kiss. Have you forgotten so quickly what you are?" Tom felt the pressure ease against Mei's head first. He saw the small movement of her mouth. He saw the first tentative kiss. He saw Su's reaction of shock and dismay. He still held both girls' faces together. He eased the pressure against Mei, and she responded on her own. He watched as she kissed Su again and again. Each time more forcefully. Su was trying to push her away, but Mei wrapped her arms around her and held on tight as she kept kissing her. Tom slowly eased the pressure from Su's head. As he did she used the space to move away from Mei. Tom watched as Mei followed the retreating lips with her own. Tom watched as Mei continued her attack while Su tried to get away. Suddenly Mei stopped and pulled back. She looked hard at Su as she started to babble in Chinese. Mei suddenly slapped her hard across the face. Su froze staring at her. "I have told you to speak English. You won't get any better if you don't try. Master deserves to understand what you say. I will speak no more Chinese to you." Mei crossed her arms and waited for Su to understand what she had said. When Su had calmed a little she spoke, "Why you do this? I not girl like that, you not girl like that. Why you kiss me like that? It not right." Mei grabbed her by the hair and pulled her into a kiss. Su was caught by surprise and before she could fight she had been kissed. Then Mei followed with a serious right hand across her face. "Master was right, and he gave us a chance to get out. Now you live with your choice. You have already forgotten what master said, we are master's whores. We do as master wants. If master wants us to be girls like that, we will be girls like that. Don't you understand? Master explained it, even if you didn't want to listen. For what we have done he could tie us naked in front of the house and let all of the men use us. Remember what you were told. We will obey, and we are master's whores. We are whatever kind of girl master wants. We are master's property." Tom nodded his head, "I think that you finally have a true understand of what is going on. I will wait for you on the bed. Talk to her in any language that you need to, but make sure that she understands. If you still can't get her to understand then a week tied out front should drive the point home clearly to her." Mei nodded her head as Tom moved to the bed. Tom thought, 'Su will figure it out, she is a smart girl. She is just like all women at first; they want everything on their terms even when you explain to them that it is not going to happen that way.' Tom crawled on the bed and watched the women whispering. He noticed when Mei pulled Su's head close and they leaned forehead to forehead. As they whispered he noticed that their lips were only inches apart. He watched as Su cried and Mei wiped her tears. He also watched as Mei kissed Su, and Su didn't fight it. He smiled as Mei caressed Su's body and watched as she returned the caresses. It was only a short time later that Mei and Su both were panting with desire as they caressed each other. They hadn't broken the last kiss for several minutes. He wasn't surprised when Mei suddenly stood up and ran for the bed. It did surprise him when she pounced on the bed and crawled toward him like a mountain lioness stalking her prey. He saw the passion in her eyes and knew that she was ready for something more than she got from Su. She growled, "Master, you wanted a whore and you've got one now. This whore needs a man to put out the fire that is raging inside her." Tom smiled, and thought, 'She will get what she wants, but she won't get it the way that she thinks that she will.' Tom waited as she crawled to him. He smiled and opened his arms to her. She had an intense look on her face that smoldered in her dark exotic eyes. When she reached him she lay on his body and kissed him passionately. Tom wrapped his arms around her and suddenly he turned and he was on top of her. She didn't really mind and the thought of him on top of her thrilled her. She wasn't as happy when he slipped down and started caressing and kissing her small breasts. She was expecting more direct action. Her opinion changed considerably when he slipped her nipple into his mouth. The feelings coursing through her were powerful and unexpected. She gasped as the pleasure hit and found it hard to breathe. She fought for more air, but there just didn't seem to be enough in the room. When he started nibbling on her nipple she started to pant, and when he started to rolled the other one with his fingers she moaned loudly and thought that she might pass out from the pleasure. The few times that she had touched herself had never felt like this. Tom couldn't believe how responsive that she was, but wondered what had become of Su. He looked where he had last seen her, and found that she was standing by the bed openly masturbating. He took his head from Mei's breasts, even against her hands trying to hold him down. "Su get on the bed, and come here." Tom watched as Su snatched her hands away from her womanly parts in embarrassment. She was still hesitant and Tom had to snap at her, "Get over here woman!" His voice brought instant obedience as she crawled up on the bed and over to the couple. When she was within reach Tom grabbed her by the hair and brought her mouth to Mei's turgid nipple. He got no resistance and she even sighed when her mouth opened to accept the offering. Mei groaned loudly and hissed, "Yes. Suck on it." Tom smiled and whispered to Su, "Yes, suck on it for her. Then gently bite and nibble the hard button. Roll the other in your fingers, and switch between them often." He wasn't surprised that Mei quit pulling on his head, or when her hands left to wrap themselves around the new source of pleasure. Tom watched for a moment before he kissed and licked his way down her heaving stomach and continued following her heavenly woman's scent. When he found the source of the aroma he buried his face in her wet pussy. She bucked up into his mouth as she squeaked in surprise. Tom noticed that Su was watching his every move. He winked at her as he slipped Mei's hard little nub into his mouth and sucked. She screamed in response. Tom worked her closer to the peak that she sought, but held her back from going over the edge. He teased and licked her until she babbled in Chinese. Then he stopped, causing her to groan in frustration. As he backed off he reached out and took a hand full of Su's hair. He gently pulled and guided her down to take the same place that he had just left. She put up only a small resistance and by the time that she was in place between Mei's legs even that was gone. She flicked out her tongue and over Mei's distended clit. Mei screamed again and bucked her hips against Su's mouth. Tom watched as Su grinned and attacked her little nub of pleasure with enthusiasm. Tom Smiled as he saw that Su had not only accepted the situation, but seemed to get a lot of pleasure out of the union. He suspected that she would enjoy it even more when he got her into position for Mei to return the favor. He gently moved her hips until she bumped against Mei. She didn't understand what he wanted, but she never stopped her busy licking and sucking on Mei's happy little pleasure nub. Tom lifted her leg and moved her to straddle Mei's body. When he had her positioned as he wanted her he pressed down on her ass until she lowered her body. When she got close enough she was suddenly attacked by Mei's eager mouth. She wasn't expecting the sensations that suddenly assaulted her, making her gasp and grunt her pleasure. But she wasn't going to complain about it either. Tom sat back and watched the couple drive each other higher toward the ultimate pleasure. Mei had a head start, but Su was making up lost ground quickly, and holding Mei back from her peak. Tom smiled as he noticed that Su was driving them to arrive at the same time. He waited for the event, thinking that it was going to be an exciting experience for everybody. When he noticed that they were on the edge of the peak he quickly positioned himself behind Su and prepared to enter her as she peaked. Mei saw what he intended and reached out and grabbed his hard cock. He was surprised at first, but remembered how she had washed him in his bath and realized even though she had never had one inside her body, that didn't mean that she didn't know how to handle one. She pulled and stroked his cock as she waited for the proper time. When she felt Su going over she quickly positioned Tom's hard shaft in the waiting slot and pulled hard on his ass. Any resistance disappeared instantly and Tom wasn't sure that she still even had that painful covering. He did notice that she gasped and gave a little squeak, but he wasn't sure if it was from popping her maidenhead or just the penetration. In either case the results were the same. After waiting for her to start moving again, he worked his cock slowly deeper until he hit bottom. She groaned loudly and a shudder ran through her body. Tom decided it was time for her to see what she had been missing out on as he slowly pulled back until only the head remained, and gave a forceful thrust back to the end of her tight passage. Su gave a gasp, followed by a long sigh as he bottomed out in her again. Tom couldn't tell if it was a happy sound or not, but thought that it was a bit late to start worrying about that now. He smiled as he saw Su drop her head back down and heard Mei squeal again. He knew that she was on the road to heaven again as he speeded up his efforts. Su's wet pussy got even wetter and he knew that if Mei took her tongue away from her work she might drown down there. He grinned and thought, 'Well, she probably wouldn't drown, but in either case her face was going to be covered.' He thought that it was strange that as much as they fought against the idea of women loving each other, they took to it like ducks to water. He remembered the words of Gray Eagle on that cold winter afternoon, 'Once you get past the smell, you've got it licked.' He smiled at the joke that he didn't get then and guessed that he would never forget it. He watched as Su went from passive to aggressive in her fucking. She was now actively driving back against him and trying to get him deeper and the thrusts harder. He smiled and got a firm grip on her hips and slammed his cock hard and deep. Her head came up and she howled her pleasure. She started panting and gibbering in Chinese again. He really wished that he knew what she was saying, but figured that it was like taking his Ute woman. He might not be able to understand her but he knew that she liked what he was doing. He did notice that whatever she was saying it almost seemed like a chant with the same words over and over again. He thought that he would ask Mei when it was over what she was saying. Su's chanting got louder and her panting got deeper and then her whole body suddenly seized up and she started to shake. Tom felt like his cock had just been trapped in a bear trap, but one lined with the softest rabbit fur lining. He could barely move and it wasn't without a little pain, but that just added the spice needed to drive him over the top of his own pleasure. Su had just started to come down from her peak. As her body relaxed from her delicious spasms she was drifting slowly back down to Earth when she felt Tom's claw like grip on her hips get stronger, it was almost painful. As she turned her head to ask him to release her she felt the almost brutal lunge of his cock before he pulled her even tighter to his body. Then she felt the hot searing blast deep in her body. She wasn't prepared for the sensations that suddenly assaulted her. Her eyes rolled back and she screamed as his hands were immediately forgotten. The molten fire that rolled through her quickly pushed her higher than she had been before and she was sure that she was going to die, but she didn't care as long as she got to keep feeling the fire spreading through her body. She didn't know when she stopped screaming, or when she went limp and started to fall on top of Mei, or even when Tom and Mei gently eased her over on the soft bed. Tom smiling and Mei had a look of concern. Tom noticed the concerned look and gently stroked Mei's pussy covered face. "She will be fine in a few minutes. It was just more than she could take. She will get used to it quickly enough." Mei eyed Tom suspiciously but decided that he might be telling the truth. She knew that the things that she had been feeling were very intense, and if it was better than that she could see herself getting overwhelmed. She decided that their new master was considerably more than they assumed. She was glad that fate had brought them together. Mei's concern vanished as Tom took her in his arms and kissed her. Her passion returned with a vengeance. Their kiss became hotter until Tom broke the kiss and started to push her head down. She immediately understood what he wanted but hesitated. He pushed harder and she surrendered, allowing him to guide her to his hardening manhood. He knew that it wasn't his manhood that caused her to hesitate, but the copious goo that covered it. When she reached the thickening staff she had come to terms with what she was to do and didn't hesitate to take it in her mouth. Tom was surprised that once it got in her mouth she didn't want to let it go. Her groan signaled her pleasure, but it was obvious from her actions long before any sound could escape her. Tom's hands dropped to his sides and his eyes closed as he felt the powerful suction and the licking that she was using on him. Where he couldn't call it experience, he could call it talent or devotion, or possibly just plain hunger. As he still rested on his knees he noticed that as she was now on her hands and knees, and her ass was starting to wag back and forth and he smiled at her growing passion. He saw that her eyes were closed and the blissful expression on her face showed her acceptance of the actions that she was engaged in. He smiled at her even though she couldn't see him. His flagging staff quickly returned to the hard throbbing extension of his desire. Mei was having trouble keeping it in her mouth and still licking the thick goo without gagging on his shaft. He gently slipped it from her protesting mouth and guided her to the side to continue her frantic licking and sucking. As the thick gobs disappeared from his shaft she worked her way down underneath and he groaned as she started licking and sucking his sensitive balls. She didn't stop her attack until she couldn't find and traces of the delightful juices. "Please my master. Take me as you did Su. Make my passion boil over until I pass out." Tom looked at the desperate eyes of Mei and asked her, "Is that really what you want? Do you want me to take you, and make you my whore for the rest of your life?" Mei groaned in passion, "Oh yes master, make me your whore! I will serve you for the rest of my life. I will even serve you in my dreams." Tom thought that might be a bit much, but he saw that she believed every word. He slowly lied down and motioned her over to him. He positioned her above her him and lined up his hard cock. "You will make yourself my whore. You will show me that you want this. It will be your decision and actions that bind you to me." Tom slotted his cock and released it, waiting for her to understand the situation. For Tom it was all a game, but he had no way of knowing just how serious this game was to Mei. Her passion Mei have driven her to speak the words, but her heritage demanded that once bound they would only be released by death. She met and held his eyes as she slowly descended upon his rigid cock. She felt the pain as she pushed through her maidenhead. But she never stopped as she continued to work his massive intruder into her unused channel. She lowered herself slowly and steadily until she rested on his hips. She felt him bump against the end of her tight tunnel and sighed. She smiled a small smile but never broke eye contact with him. She continued the connection that their eyes held as she slowly moved back up his shaft and lowered herself back down. After the third time it was an automatic movement and she didn't even have to think about it. She rose and fell faster and harder. Pleasure filled her mind and drove her faster, but she never took her eyes from her master. Tom watched the sensations fill Mei from her first time. He was amazed at the sensations so clearly expressed on her face and through her eyes. It was as though he could feel each thing that she felt, just from the expressions on her face. He enjoyed this game and decided that she was the perfect one to play with. He couldn't take his eyes away from her, because he might miss something important, and this was too good to miss. They moved together faster and more forcefully, but never broke eye contact; hoping that the other wouldn't break the connection either. Tom relishing the flavor of the raw emotions on her face and Mei unable to look away. She was like a small bird trapped by a cat; terrified to move or to look away as closer and closer the predator crept. But she didn't want to escape this predator. The forceful thrusts turned into a pounding rhythm; each lost in their own pleasure, but connected as assuredly as if they were one person. They were both panting and little moans escaped each of their lips. Tom knew that they were both close to their orgasm and he slowly slid his hands up from her hips and onto her small breasts. As he took a hard pointed nipple in each hand he waited until they were closer to the peak. When Tom didn't think that he could wait for another second he squeezed her nipples hard; Mei screamed. As much as she wanted to throw her head back and squeeze her eyes closed she would not break the eye contact. Tom also wanted to squeeze his eyes closed and enjoy the sensations coursing thought his body, but for the first time in his life he was watching a woman have an orgasm through the link of their eyes. He was amazed at the depth of passion that he watched being played out on Mei's face and the fire in her eyes. He was sure that at any minute her eyes would roll up and she would pass out. He couldn't imagine the depth of her pleasure, but she kept her eyes on his and never wavered. Her screams stopped and their panting eased as Tom watched her return slowly to the mundane world that they lived in. Still their eyes remained locked on each other. They watched the emotions play across each other's faces until Tom's softening member slipped from her clutching pussy. Mei's eyes got big and then she dropped onto his chest shivering. Tom slowly closed his arms around her, and Mei shivered again. Mei spoke so softly that only Tom could hear, and he had to listen closely, "Now we can only be separated by death. We can never be parted. I will always be yours in any way that you choose to use me." Tom's hand descended quickly on her firm ass and she jumped before a giggle escaped her. "We had better see to Su and make sure that she is alright." As they turned they saw Su looking at them with awe in her eyes. She was obviously masturbating and didn't seem to notice or care that they were watching. Tom watched as Mei grinned and crawled over to her. Only when Mei kissed her did she seem to understand that she was masturbating. She jerked her fingers from the hidden valley between her legs and moaned into Mei's mouth. Mei quickly moved to cover her to feast at the combined juices that had been left there, as Su got her first look at the gobs of spunk drooling out of Mei's tight little hole. Tom could see the disgusted look on Su's face as Mei happily pushed her face into the flowing valley between Su's legs. When Mei didn't feel any action between her legs she firmly swatted Su's ass, "Get to it sister, you know what to do." Tom watched as Su attentively slipped her tongue out and got her first taste of spunk. He could tell that she didn't think as much of it as Mei did, but she obviously wasn't too disgusted. She set about the task of cleaning up Mei and didn't shirk either of her thighs. Tom did notice that when she made it to Mei's hot little pussy that that she seemed to be enjoying things a lot more. He wondered if it she had started to develop a taste for it, or if she just preferred the taste of pussy over man juice. He shrugged his shoulders and snuggled down to go to sleep. ------- Chapter 39 When Tom woke he saw the false dawn through the window and knew that it was time to start another day. He noticed that both women were peacefully sleeping on his chest, one of each side snuggled up tight to him. A few firm nipple tweaks had both of them moaning softly in their sleep. Tom grinned and gently slipped from the warm bodies snuggled up to him. He managed to slip out without waking them. He knew that it was only because he had so much practice at doing it. He didn't have to work too hard to slip his finger into each of his sleeping companions. His slow and gentle thrusting quickly brought them up to the moaning stage and he wasn't surprised when they wrapped their arms around each other in their sleep. He started a little faster thrusting and before they knew what was happening they were withering in each other's arms. When they came down from their pleasurable peak they looked at each other, kissed softly and tenderly and then looked down their bodies at their grinning master. "He does have a way about waking us up, doesn't he?" Mei grinned at Su. As they all slipped on some clothes Mei quickly told Tom, "Master, just carry the rest. We will go to the bathing room and get washed for the day before we dress." Tom nodded and let them lead the way. He wasn't too surprised to see that they had a handle on things quickly and had him washed and dressed before he knew what was going on. He watched as Mei and Su quickly washed themselves and each other. He suspected that it was the first time that they had washed each other and was grinning as they looked at him. When they saw the acceptance in his eyes they grinned back and worked much more enthusiastically. Tom noticed that Su still blushed a lot, but he knew that it would go away quickly. Once they were all dressed for the day Mei turned to Tom and said, "Today we will start on the next room. We will be installing laundry machine so that we can keep the clothes clean." Tom frowned for a minute before he said, "I thought that Li's family did laundry cheap. Why are we going to do our own laundry?" The girls looked at each other for a minute and frowned. Su answered the question, "Laundry machines not so hard to make. We need to wash each day keep clothes clean." Tom shook his head and smiled at them, "No, that just means that we need more clothes. We will get enough so that we can send the clothes to Li's family and still have plenty to wear. That way we don't have to do laundry every day, and we can do other things that are more important." Tom smiled again at the girls and got a big smile back. Su looked at Mei and said, "See, we have very smart master. He know what we need." Mei grinned as she shook her head. Mei led the way out of the wash room and said in a firm voice, "Su, we need to get master's food ready." Tom quickly responded, "No. I will not be eating anything this morning and neither will you." Both of the girls turned to look questioningly at him but he just motioned for them to follow him. He led them to the large front door and opened it. Sure enough, there were two Chinese women waiting there. He suspected that they would have kept waiting until dark before either would knock. Mei and Su looked confused but Tom motioned the two women in and led them to the kitchen. They took one look, bowed to him and were gone. Tom smiled at the girls' confusion and motioned them back into the large dining room. After he had them seated he explained. "I am hiring a new cook today. I can't test their cooking if you stuff me before they show me what they can do. If they don't speak English you will talk to them for me. You will also be eating and tell me of you think they are good cooks." The girls looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders. It was only a few minutes later that all of the men showed up at the table. Each took a seat and waited expectantly for Tom to explain what was going on. Tom smiled at each of them and sat contently. After a few minutes thought Tom leaned close to Su and whispered, "You might want to warn the ladies cooking what to expect, since there will be a few of us trying their food. You might also tell them that there will be other cooks here today so they need to do their best." Su nodded and went to the kitchen. As they sat waiting Willard showed up and politely coughed, "Sir, there are some strange women in the kitchen. Will they be the new cooks?" Tom turned his attention to Willard, "I don't know yet. They are showing me what they can do. There will be others arriving soon to also show me what they can do. We will keep the best one, or even maybe two and send the rest away. Sometime in the process we will all get some breakfast. I would like yours and Becky's opinion also of the food. We do want the keep the best of the bunch." Willard seemed to be taken aback by the whole process, or maybe he just never expected to be asked his opinion. "Very well sir. I will explain to Miss Rebecca what is happening. It might affect our schedules today, but we will do your best to accomplish our duties." Tom smiled at Willard, "Willard, there are going to be quite a few changes in the works for a bit. I am planning to add additional staff as well. If things don't get done just like they should don't let it worry you right now. Things will get straightened out once everything settles down. You might have to keep a close eye on the door as some of our cooks appear to be the timid type and are afraid to knock." Willard bowed with a rigid formality and softly replied, "Yes sir, very good sir." Then he simply took a step or two and vanished. Tom noticed that the warriors were a little troubled at the way that Willard softly traveled around the place and just seemed to appear and disappear at will. Tom smiled at the warriors, "What's the matter? Not used to seeing a person slip around more quietly than you can?" Tom laughed at the looks that they gave him. As he laughed and said, "Think about it. He has had years of training and probably knows this place better than the back of his own hand. He could probably close his eyes and walk from one end to the other and never bump into anything. Before you start getting jumpy think about the situation, and don't let it bother you too much." They frowned at the thought but saw the wisdom of his words. As they were thinking about it the first cook appeared and food started to appear on the table. Tom turned to the woman after she was finished serving the food. "Do you speak English?" The woman nodded once, but kept her head down. Tom looked her over. She appeared to be a middle-aged woman with her long hair pulled back with a couple of combs. Her slight figure was just starting to spread in the middle to match her wide hips. She wasn't fat, but was losing the fight to keep trim. Tom noticed that her diminutive frame seemed to be the standard for the Chinese people. Her tiny hands and feet almost made her look like a child, but the wisps of gray in her hair and the small wrinkles around her eyes dispelled that. "Why do you want to be my cook?" Tom noticed that she never looked up, but he heard her soft voice. "My family is gone. My husband is dead and the children are all gone. I like to cook, but I am alone. I want to be with people again, I want to feel useful again." Tom nodded his head. Even though her head was down Tom knew that she could see his every move. He gave a small wave of his hand and she was gone back into the kitchen. Tom looked at the warriors. "Try out the cooking, but remember there are more cooks to test, so don't try to eat everything." There were some laughs and the eating began. After all of the food was removed to the staff dining room the next cook brought in her food. She placed Chinese food on one end and typical American food on the other. Tom was surprised and understood why she had taken longer to prepare her food. She also stood and waited for Tom to speak to her. "What is your name?" She didn't hesitate for a second before she responded, "I am Ho Min Wei." Tom thought for a minute as he appraised her. She was young; she couldn't have been more than eighteen or maybe nineteen. Her black hair was down to her waist, and held in the back in a ponytail style. Non-typical of most of the Chinese women this woman had a full bust. Tom had seen others that were larger, but this girl looked like she was going to fall over as she stood there. Her skin was creamy alabaster white and her trim figure showed off very well in the silk pants that she wore. Her little feet were in slipper type shoes. "Well Wei, why do you want to be my cook?" Tom watched as the warriors were helping themselves to the food. Both the Chinese food and the more traditional food, but he knew that they were listening just as closely as he was. "I am a disgrace to my family. I have past the time of honor and did not receive any offers. I now cook at my family's restaurant, but I still bring shame upon them. I was hoping that you would offer to buy me. Even if just to be the cook, it would restore my family's honor." Tom nodded his head and waved his hand. He wasn't surprised when she quickly vanished back inside the kitchen. Tom didn't miss the looks of Mei and Su. He wondered if they were too easily swayed by their emotions. Before Tom managed to get any food on his plate Willard was suddenly at his side. "Master Tom, there were three more women at the front door about the cooks position. I escorted them to the kitchen and they are busy at work. I will keep you informed." Tom nodded that he understood and Willard vanished as quickly and quietly as he arrived. When Tom finished tasting each of the dishes prepared, he motioned to the young woman waiting and she quickly whisked everything off to the staff dining room as the next young lady started bringing out her offering. Tom immediately saw that this was standard American cooking and saw that the young lady was a white woman. As she placed the dishes on the table Tom watched her move and watched her work. She wore a traditional dress that covered her from her neck down to the floor. Her extremely small waist flared to wide womanly hips and her breasts wiggled as she worked. He noticed that she didn't keep them bound in the traditional style. He smiled as he thought that he wouldn't like to have his own chest wrapped in cloth, or to wear a corset that crushed his body. She appeared to be a little non-traditional in a traditional way. He smiled at the thought. As the others were serving their plates he asked his first question, "Why do you want to be my cook?" He noticed that she looked him in the eye and wrung her hands in front of her. "Ah, well sir, I need the job and it's about the only thing that I know how to do. My momma taught me how to cook and I've been doing it for a few years. But with momma gone I have to find work." She almost looked like she was going to cry. Tom slowly put some of each thing on his plate as he thought. "What other jobs have you applied for and why didn't they hire you?" He saw her fidget a few times before she took a deep breath. "Well sir, I have applied for cooks' position and twice for a maid's job. Ah the men sort of, well ah, I mean, they thought that I would be willing to do more than the job required. They were quite fresh sir, and I left them flat. But now it looks like I am in dire straits sir, and I will do anything for a job. I mean that sir, anything." Tom nodded as he tried her cooking. He looked at her closely. Her sandy blonde hair obviously needing cleaning and looking closer he saw the fraying at the hem of her dress. Her soft blue eyes had a pleading look in them. Her nodded to her and told her to take the dishes to the staff dining room. As she started to collect the food he asked, "What is your name?" She never looked at him as she answered, "Jennifer Bristol, sir." Tom nodded as she disappeared. Tom watched the next women move with true grace a she quickly had the table filled with her cooking. She was another white woman and she also dressed in typical American fashion. He looked at her as she floated around the room. She was a small woman and appeared to be in her middle twenties. Her obviously long brown hair was all stuffed in a bun at the back of her head. Her dress went from her neck to the floor. He noticed that is was simple and homemade. It was something rare here in the city, but it was the standard fare during their travels. When she looked at him he saw deep brown eyes that matched her hair. After the eyes locked he noticed that she quickly looked away and she even faltered for a minute. Her figure was lithe and trim with small breast and a firm ass, or at least as much as he could tell from the way that she dressed. Tom noticed that the food was good even if it was simple. He realized that American food was usually bland, just as they had always eaten it. Comparing it to the spicy Chinese food was not a fair test. "What is your Name, and why are you here to cook for me instead of cooking for you own family?" Tom watched as she turned it over in her mind. "Well sir, I am here because I don't have any family. When we got off the boat in New York we were robbed and my father was killed. Within a month my mother was in a whorehouse on her back and my brother was in a gang robbing other immigrants. I looked as what was happening and decided I didn't want any part of it. I took what was still left and ran. This is as far as I got before I ran out of money. Now I am looking for a job. My name is Frieda Braum and I came from Germany." Tom nodded his head. "Are you going to help your mother when you get a job?" He watched her closely, but she didn't hesitate, "No sir." Tom expected more of an answer but he knew that she wouldn't supply it unless he asked. "She is family, why wouldn't you help her?" She took a deep breath and let it out slowly before she replied, "My father was something of a bully and my brother is just like him, which is why he fit so well in a gang. My mother was a bit of a tramp, but my father kept her in line. Without my father it was only natural that she would end up on her back. She borrowed money that she couldn't repay and when they came to collect all she had was herself, so they took it and put her to work. When she works it off, she will do the same thing again. I see no need throwing my life away trying to help her." Tom nodded. He could understand a lot more about her life than she would ever believe. As he leaned back in the chair and looked at her he asked, "Are you a virgin?" He watched the women at the table stiffen and a couple of the warriors even choked but he noticed that John grinned at him. He studied the woman as she looked back at him. When she answered she kept her eyes locked on him, "No sir, I am not a virgin. My father and brother saw to that when I was much younger. I have had a few lovers during my life, but I am not a tramp like my mother." Tom smiled at her and nodded his head. He knew a fighter when he met one. He motioned to the table and told her that she could take it away to the staff dining room. He watched as she gracefully floated around the room collecting the food and quickly whisking it off toward the kitchen. The next woman was another Chinese woman of middle-age. Tom had begun to realize that most Chinese women were of the same mold, and it was only when you encountered the difference that you took notice; long black hair, dark eyes, tiny frame, small breasts, small hips and subservient demeanor. He realized that she fit the mold perfectly, however she had the flared hips that came with childbirth, and she had yet to lose the fight to keep trim. When he asked her if she spoke English she just stood there. Tom looked over at Mei and nodded his head and she looked at the woman. "You know what to ask her?" Mei nodded her head and started off in rapid Chinese. The woman stood there and answered just like the others. Even though Tom didn't know that she was saying he didn't let that bother him as he filled another plate. He motioned to the warriors and they all began passing dishes around. As Tom was eating Mei started to explain what she had learned, as the woman left for the kitchen. "Her name is Pong Shu Chin. She has lost her husband and there are no children. It is because they never had children that the family will not care for her now that her husband is dead. She must make her own way in the world. She hoped that you like her cooking." Tom nodded his head as he continued to eat. He realized that this woman was a very good cook. When they were finished Tom waved his hand toward the table and he watched as Pong Shu Chin quickly made the food disappear and was quickly gone. He sat back and realized that he was stuffed and had to admit to himself that he had enjoyed himself for the past couple of hours. He looked around the table and noticed that all of them seemed to be rubbing their stomachs. "Is there anybody here that still feels the need to sample any of the cook's efforts?" He looked around the table and noticed the smiles and grins that were mirroring his own. When he got no answers he shook his head and start off, "Okay, so we have tried out the talents of the available cooks. What are your opinions?" He wasn't surprised when John spoke up first. "I liked the food from the last cook the best, and you can forget the blonde with the sad story; she can't cook." Tom watched as the others around the table nodded in agreement. When nobody spoke up Tom continued, "I noticed that everybody agreed with John. Are there any other comments?" Tom looked at each of the men as they gave him a quiet shake of the head. He then turned his attention on his two girls. They looked at each other for a minute before they both shook their own heads. Tom nodded his head and called in a loud voice, "Willard." It was less than a minute later that Willard was standing by Tom's side. "You called sir?" Tom nodded head and asked, "What does the staff think of the cooking this morning?" Willard didn't hesitate, "Sir, The last cook clearly stood out as the best, but she didn't appear to speak English. It would make working with her difficult, but she is clearly the best cook. Miss Bristol has no experience in this type of cooking, and I believe she would not be a good choice. The others were all acceptable and I believe that any of them would be a good choice." He stood waiting as Tom thought about his comments. "So, as long as we don't let Miss Bristol in the kitchen you believe that the staff will survive?" Willard coughed once before he answered. Tom suspected that he was covering up a smile. Even as he began to answer Tom was sure that he could see some humor hidden behind those cool brown eyes. "Ah, yes sir. That would be an adequate description." Tom nodded and Willard quietly moved off, but didn't leave the room. Tom noticed that he positioned himself just inside the door and stood rigidly, as if waiting to be called again. Tom looked at Su. Tell all of the cooks to come in and I will tell them what I have decided. He realized that as much as he wanted everyone's opinion it was his decision, and only his opinion mattered. Tom waited as the women filed out in the same order that they served their food. He also noticed that each of them had their bundle that they arrived with. He suspected that it was their utensils, or things that they felt most comfortable cooking with. He started with the first woman. He stood in front of her and said softly, "I enjoyed your cooking. You are not the best cook here, but you are very good. I hoped that you find the family that you are looking for." As he stepped back he noticed her bow very low and respectfully. She then picked up her bundle and quietly left for the door. Tom watched as Willard quietly escorted her out. Tom stopped in front of Ho Min Wei for a moment before he called, "Willard." He waited for only a moment before the ever present Willard was at his side, "Yes sir." Tom smiled without looking at Willard, he was really starting to like Willard. "Take Miss Wei to the parlor. I will be with her shortly." Willard gave a very slight bow and answered, "Very good sir, I will escort Miss Wei to the drawing room." Tom knew that he was gently educated that high society didn't have parlors, but drawing rooms. He smiled at the wealth of information that the amazing Willard was capable of quietly giving him. He stopped in front of Jennifer Bristol for a moment in thought before he continued on to Frieda Braum. Once again he stopped in front of her for a moment and continued on to Pong Shu Chin. Again he stopped and looked at the woman. Once he made up his mind the called for Willard. "Willard, please escort Miss Bristol and Miss Chin to the drawing room." Willard seemed surprised but quickly recovered, "Very good sir. This way ladies." Where Jennifer Bristol quickly stepped into action Pong Shu Chin didn't have a clue what was going on and just stood rooted to the spot. Willard gently tapped her on the shoulder and motioned for her to follow him. Tom watched as she quickly retrieved her bundle and followed Willard. Tom returned to Frieda Braum. If you are interested I will offer you the position of cook. I will tell you that you will be one of two cooks. You will not be in charge of the kitchen, and I will expect both of you to work together. If you ever steal from me I will punish you severely; your father was a pussycat compared to me. If you cause trouble I will toss you out on your ass. Do you understand what I am offering, and what will be expected?" Frieda looked at Tom with a critical eye. Tom knew that she was evaluating that he had said and trying to find out how much of it was the truth. "Yes sir, I understand. I'm sure that you think that you are worse than my father, but I assure you that you wouldn't even come close." Tom smiled at her and before she realized what had happened Tom had her head pulled back by her hair as he stared into her eyes. She couldn't see the knife at her throat, but she could feel it. As she looked into his eyes she only saw two lifeless steel grey orbs looking back at her and it caused a shiver to run down her spine. The whisper that reached her ears carried the same feel as his eyes and made her shiver, "Remember this and never forget it. Every man in this room would kill you without a moment's hesitation. They follow me because I am worse than they are. Any fool can kill somebody, but it takes an expert to keep them alive for days while you kill them slowly and painfully. Pray that you never find out what I am truly capable of." As quickly as he had grabbed her he was once again standing in front of her. The knife once again disappeared back to wherever it had come from. She stumbled when she was suddenly released and as she looked around the room she noticed that none of the men seemed the least concerned over what had happened. The women had worried expressions on their faces, but they didn't move from their chairs. The realization that there were men in the world that even her father would fear struck her like a club. She shivered as she began to understand that the happily smiling man in front of her was one of those men. As she looked around the room at the other men she understood that they were probably just as he had described them, and she wondered for the first time if she had the courage to spend her life around men like that. She also noticed that she could suddenly smell her womanly scent and realized that she was so wet that she could feel it slowly making its way down her thighs. She was angry with herself, but realized that these were the type of men that she found exciting. "You haven't told me how much you are offering." She knew it was a weak argument but her mind was having trouble focusing on the issues at hand. Tom smiled. The records showed that Molly had been paid four dollars a month and he assumed that it was a reasonable amount. "I will pay you Five Dollars a month plus room and board. Since you will be the cook I think you can tell better than I can how good the food will be." Tom watched as she nodded her head, "I'll take it." Tom smiled at her and said, "You know where the kitchen is, and I will return later to show you to your room. If you wish I will have one of the men accompany you to collect your things this afternoon." She looked at him and nodded her head. She just wished that somebody would show her the way to the outhouse so that she could clean herself up before everyone thought that she was as big a tramp as her mother. Deep inside she wondered if she really was, she knew that men like these were going to keep her wet most of the time. She quickly ran for the kitchen, but not before Tom caught a whiff of something familiar. He smiled as she ran. Tom motioned the girls to follow him as he led the group to the drawing room. When they arrived they noticed the three women sitting on couches. Tom turned to Ben, "Get the carriage ready, I will be going into town for a while." Ben nodded his head and disappeared. Tom noticed that Peter followed him out. Tom turned to Mei, "Please explain to them that I will be taking them back to town." Tom waited as Mei quickly spoke in Chinese to the two women. Tom then turned his attention to Jennifer Bristol. "Miss Bristol, I have decided that your abilities are not sufficient to hire you as a cook." Tom watched as the tears started to fill her eyes and knew that they would soon be running down her face. "However, I might be willing to take you on as a maid." Tom watched as hope sprang back into her face. He raised his hand to stop anything that she might have wanted to say. "I have to take these women back into town. If you are interested, I want you to wait here until I return to talk about it. If you are gone when I return, I will assume that you are not interested. Consider this while you wait; I will expect more from you than any man you have ever met. If you feel that you aren't up to the task, please be gone when I get back." He saw the trepidation in her eyes as he led the four women out to wait for the carriage. ------- Chapter 40 When they pulled up to the restaurant Ho Min Wei led the little group back to the kitchen where her father was working. Tom and the other women stood as Wei made the introductions. Tom watched. He knew that Wei spoke English and suspected that her father did as well, but he wasn't surprised that she spoke Chinese. At the appropriate time Tom Bowed and each of the women bowed low and formally. Tom was introduced to Ho Min Lu, Wei's father. Once the introductions were out of the way Tom leaned close to Mei and whispered in her ear. She looked at him, and then a big grin split her face. "Master Tom would like to offer a price for Ho Min Wei." Each of the women gasped in surprise and Tom thought that he even heard a few of the women in the kitchen make a sound as well. Tom waited and watched as Lu seemed to think things over. Tom watched as Lu said something and waited for Mei to translate. She had a confused look on her face as she turned to Tom, "Master, he wants to know how much you are going to offer." Tom hadn't thought about that and considered it. He knew if he offered more than he paid for Mei and Su they would be offended, but he didn't want to offer too little to offend Lu either. He decided to offer the same thing that got him Mei and Su. "Tell him that I offer him Twenty dollars in gold." He heard a few noises from the people in the kitchen and knew that they understood what he had said. He watched as Mei told Lu the offer. Tom watched and knew that the information as no surprise to him, so he concluded that he spoke English, but was just being cagey. After he spoke this time Tom noticed the almost open hostility in the room. There were mutters from every corner and Mei turned back with a shocked expression on her face. "Master, he said that it was too little, that she is worth much more than that." Tom smiled and nodded his head. "Tell him thank you for allowing me the offer, and that I hope that in the future he finds someone to remove the shame from his house." Mei gasped but knew that she had to say his words. She turned to Lu, but before she could speak Wei stepped before Tom and dropped to her knees, "Please sir, offer him more. I will do anything to that you require of me I will please all of the men that you send. You will never hear a sound from me. I will be a good whore for you." Tom smiled at her, "Wei, I could offer him all of the gold in the world, but it would never be enough. He wants you right where you are. There is nothing that I can do about that." Tom watched as Wei stood to face her father. "Is this true? Is there no amount that will remove my shame?" Tom saw that hard look in Lu's eyes as he turned them on Wei. "Shut up girl, this has nothing to do with you. I will decide who you will be with, and how much you are worth. The only shame is the amount that is offered is too low. You will stay here and cook, just like I have said that you would." He turned and strode back to the open door at the kitchen. Wei watched him leave with a stunned expression on her face. Tom was also stunned when Wei turned to face him, and then once again dropped to her knees and lowered her head to the floor with her arms stretched out in front of her with her wrists crossed. Tom heard many gasps from around the room. Wei's voice was soft but it carried around the room, "Master I give myself to you. I renounce my family, and my life. They are now yours to do with as you wish." The words carried a formal tone and Tom knew that this was something new. As he looked around the room he saw the shocked and stunned expressions on every face. Obviously the ones that didn't speak English were listening closely to the ones whispering into their ears. Before Tom could speak Mei quickly pushed him back a few steps and urgently whispered in his ear. "Master, do not say anything yet. This is something that you do not have to answer right away. She has broken tradition and gone against her family. She has renounced her life and it is now forfeit. If you accept her she will be lower than the lowest whore. If you reject her, you must kill her because she no longer has a family, and there will be nobody that will help her. She will be shunned, and cast out. If you fail to kill her you will shunned. This is very bad master, you must be very careful." Tom looked around again and noticed that every eye was on him. He knew that they were all waiting to see what he would do. He noticed a small girl also watching. He knew that there had not been anybody whispering in her ear. He turned to her, "Who is the head of the Ho Min family?" She blinked a couple of time before she spoke softly, "Great-grandfather Fong." Tom smiled and told her softly, "Go and bring great-grandfather Fong to me." Tom knew that he had not asked, but ordered her into action, so he wasn't surprised when she took off at a dead run. Tom heard the whispers starting again but this time he heard a few grunts and noticed some nervous jitters from many of the kitchen workers. He knew that this was family and he had called the head of clan into the middle of a situation that nobody wanted to be part of. He suspected that he was stirring a pot of trouble. Mei softly whispered in his ear. "Master, do you know what you are doing?" Tom almost laughed at the thought, but knew that it would not be accepted by any of the people in the room. This was a very serious matter to them, and laughter would be a serious insult. Tom whispered back, "Nope. There are many things about your people that are very different from the things that I know. But some things are very much the same. I think that I know what must be done here." Mei looked in his eyes deeply and said softly, "Be careful Master. We just found you and we don't want to lose you." Tom smiled at her. There was a sudden rush of people through the rear door in the kitchen. Leading the large group of men was the little girl followed by twelve men. Tom watched them spread out as they entered the room; each of them holding a knife, or a tomahawk, spear or even a hammer. Tom saw that the old man leading the group had nothing in his hands. He watched as the old man's eyes searched the room, looking for the source of the trouble. When his eyes stopped at Wei on the floor, his eyes got big in surprise. He then looked at Tom. Tom watched as his eyes scanned over him and then continued to scan each of his companions. When he stopped scanning and locked his eyes Tom followed his gaze to see Ben with his pistol pointed at the old man's chest. Tom gave a wave and Ben slipped the pistol back into his holster. He then casually leaned against a wall. Tom knew that this movement was both a casual statement and a threatening posture. He had watch both John and Ben use this on many occasions. The old man nodded his head and a similar wave had the men with him putting away their weapons. Tom bowed as a sign of respect for the old man and was not surprised when the old man bowed in return. Once the formalities had been dispensed with the old man spoke, "I have heard of Master Tom. Your concubines have changed the lives of the Wong Su Clan. Are you now trying to take over the Ho Min Clan?" Tom decided that there were politics involved that he had no idea of. He thought that it might be a good idea to stay away from all mention of anything not directly related to the incident. "I have no intension of taking over anything. If any of our ideas can be helpful we offer them to all freely. But I asked you to come here about a matter of honor." A wave of his hand indicated Wei waiting on the floor. The old man didn't respond quickly as he seemed to study Tom instead. "You say that you sent for me?" At Tom's nod the old man turned to the little girl and the conversation in Chinese left him guessing what was happening. He watched the little girl shrug her shoulder as she spoke quickly. Nods and head shakes followed and the old man questioned her. When he was finished he turned back to Tom, "What have you decided to do with the woman? She is no longer a member of the Ho Min Clan. If you are going to kill her, please do it outside so that we will not have to clean up her blood." Tom nodded his head. "I had something else in mind, but I was trying to see how we got to this point. I still have a hard time understanding why she has done this. Can you explain why to me?" The old man looked flustered for a minute before he calmly replied, "You are not Chinese, so you would not understand honor and duty." Tom didn't smile as he looked as the old man. There was no respect in his voice or his bearing when he softly spoke to the old man again. His eyes lost all emotion and his face looked like a stone mask. "Old man, you have no idea what duty and honor are. I have lived my life for nothing but duty. I carry the weight of my people with my honor alone. When you insult someone's honor you had better be prepared for war. My people will remove the memory of the Ho Min from the world. We will search out and destroy your clan to the last child, until even the memory of a Ho Min will be lost." Tom snorted at the men standing behind the old man, "Do you think that those men are supposed to frighten me. We are warriors from a nation of warriors. We live, die and fight by the code of honor and duty. You insult me and my honor. I challenge you old man. Bring me your best and we will see if you know the meaning of honor that you speak so highly of." The old man was stunned at the fire and vengeance of the young man and wondered if he had made a serious mistake. The old man realized that it had gone too far to back out now; once challenged he couldn't refuse. Only if the challenge were withdrawn could he allow this to end quietly. If the white man lost he was sure that the other white men would retaliate against a rich man being killed. If he lost the other Chinese families would see it as weakness and descend on them like a flock of angry cranes. He realized that win or lose the Ho Min family was in trouble. Tom walked out the rear kitchen door and looked around the wide alley. He noticed that the alley was wider than the street in front and realized that the real traffic in Chinatown was all behind the scenes of the white visitors in the street. He smiled as he moved to one end and started stripping off his clothes. Once he was down to his pants and soft boots he stopped and sat cross legged with his hands resting on his knees and closed his eyes. The old man called for his grand-son, over the voices of the young men gathered around begging to be allowed to fight the white man for the honor of the Ho Min Clan. The old man shook his head. All knew that his grand-son was the best fighter in the Ho Min Clan. All of the others were sure that they could best the soft white man, but the old man wasn't so sure that he was all that soft. If even half of what he said was true, this might turn out to be very bad. The men watched as Ho Min Chu bowed and softly spoke, "I have come to defend the honor of the Ho Min Clan. I am ready grand-father." Chu stood with his pike in hand. As he began his pike kata he was sure that fear would disable the white man and he would be able to end this quickly. Tom watched as the young man danced and thrust with the spear. He had heard that it was call a pike, but to his trailed eye it was still a spear. He knew how to fight against a spear. He was surprised at some of the moves of the young man. He used both ends of the spear equally, as well as his hands and feet. Tom smiled a challenge. It looked like it would be his best work-out since Grey Eagle knocked him senseless using two spears. The young man had some good moves, but so did Grey Eagle. He had learned to win, and he wasn't going to start losing now. As the world prepared for a contest Tom sat with his eyes closed and listened to advice from another source. He saw and understood a number of fighting styles designed to defeat the pike. He allowed the knowledge to merge with his own. When Tom opened his eyes the young man was patiently waiting. Tom nodded to him and stood in one easy movement. Tom walked purposely to the old man, "What shall it be old man? Fist blood, surrender or death?" The old man blinked and realized that he still had a chance to get out of this without losing everything. If the white man could still walk away then the other whites wouldn't destroy his family, but they still had to win to keep the other families off of their back. He knew that his grand-son was the best chance that they had; "Surrender." Tom nodded his head and turned to go back to his place in the alley. He calmly stood with his knife in his hand, waiting for the young man with the pike to come to him. He didn't have to wait long. With a nod from the old man the fight started. Tom watched as Chu advanced boldly, with no sign of fear, supremely confident of his own abilities. Tom had watched all of the moves the young man had displayed, and he smiled at the thought that he had some knowledge from another source, unknown to any of the people present. That thought brought to light that there were too many people present. He took a second to scan all of the people crowded together at the sides of the alley. He saw Wong Su Li in the crowd and knew that he word had spread, probably all over Chinatown. With that thought he knew that his own reputation was at stake, as well as his standing among these people. A defeat here would spread to the white people, and that could make his mission suffer. A new determination settled into his mind. Chu thrust his pike solidly at Tom's chest. He wasn't surprised to see Tom turn and his pike slide harmlessly slide past. It was expected and he quickly moved his pike to the side to slap Tom in the chest. He was too far expended to do any real harm, but it was a message to the white man, and a position of confidence and dominance. The message was as clear to Tom as it was to the rest of the assembled crowd. Tom smiled at the young man as he turned to face him again. Chu stepped back a few paces and took a guard position. The message clear; he had shown what he could do and it was now Tom's turn. Tom turned his knife in his hand with the blade along his forearm as he strode confidently toward the young man. Chu had seen overconfidence and arrogance before and smiled. He expected this would put an end to the fight quickly. As soon was the white man was solidly in range he lunged, his pike thrusting solidly toward the middle of the chest. He knew his speed wouldn't allow him to turn this time. Tom was expecting the lunge and he knew as well as Chu that he couldn't turn to avoid the knife tipped pike. He never planned to turn and used the blade of his knife against his forearm to block the pike. He also used the opportunity that his opponent was extended and out of a defensive position to turn the block into an attack. He had blocked the pike, and as his arm had crossed his body he took the opportunity to continue the turn as he moved forward into the surprised young man. Bringing his knife around and slashing across his stomach. He continued to move toward the young man and contacted his chest with his shoulder. The impact knocked the young man firmly on his ass, but he kept a firm grip on his pike. As he quickly made his way to his feet he saw that the white man had turned his back on him and was calmly walking back to the place that he had started from. He knew that if the white man had pressed the attack he would have been defeated. Looking down he saw that his shirt was cut across the stomach and he had a hairline cut seeping blood. He couldn't feel the cut but that wasn't a surprise. He knew that he would feel it later. The old man was not only shocked but knew that this young warrior was everything that he had claimed to be. He saw the destruction of his clan in his eyes. He quickly moved to his grand-son and stressed the need for him to do better. Tom heard Ben softly saying, "The old man will never allow the boy to surrender, you might as well go ahead and kill him." Tom nodded slightly to acknowledge that he had heard and turned to watch the old man whispering frantically at the young man. He knew instinctively what the old man was saying even though he couldn't hear the words. He quickly looked around the crowd, he saw many completive faces and when he looked at Li he suddenly knew what those faces meant. He focused all of his attention on the young man again. He knew that when he came this time, he would be trying to kill him or at lease injure him very seriously. He played several attack options through his mind as he prepared to meet the next attack. He didn't have long to wait. The young man approached cautiously this time. He was on guard and ready. Tom was surprised when he did not attack when he came into range of his pike. Tom dropped into a defensive stance, waiting for the attack. When it came it was lightning fast and totally unexpected. Instead of a thrust he used the bladed edge of the pike to cut in a quick sweep. The unexpected move only had one good defense and Tom dove to the side and rolled. When he came up to his feet he found the other end of the pike waiting as it thrust into his stomach. He suddenly saw that the pike was not exactly like a spear, at least in the hands of an experienced fighter. He decided to step back and consider the situation more fully. Feinting a more serious injury, he stepped back expecting the young man to give ground. He was surprised when he pressed the attack. Sensing victory close at hand, he threw away all attempts at finesse or style and went with brute force. The thrust was hard and vicious centered on Tom's bent over body. Tom smiled at the attack, he couldn't have asked for anything better. He batted the pike aside and grabbed it as it past. He surprised the young man when he stepped forward and threw all of his body behind the pike. It suddenly changed direction and the butt slammed into the young man's stomach. The force of the blow knocked him off of his feet, but Tom's hold on the pike ripped it from his hands. Instead of pressing the attack Tom stood and turned to the old man. He knew that he could demand his surrender, but that wasn't what he wanted now. He bowed respectfully "Ho Min Fong, I am honored that you have allowed me to see your families' honor. I understand that this is not your best warrior, but only luck has allowed me to call it a draw. I hope in the future that I do not have to face such fearsome warriors." Tom bowed again deeply. The old man was stunned, but quickly realized that the white man had just redeemed his honor in front of the other families. He was quick to understand his debt to this white man, but his own honor demanded that he show the same respect publicly that he had. He bowed low and respectfully and when he stood he spoke loud enough for all of the families to hear. "You are an honorable and worthy warrior. You duty and honor rival that of the Ho Min Clan. We are proud that one of our minor warriors could show his skill to so great a warrior." He bowed again very respectfully. Tom bowed again and then turned to the young man standing close by and presented his pike and bowed. The young man was no fool and accepted the pike with the ceremony that it required, then bowed lower that Tom had ever seen anyone bow. When he stood straight he spoke softly so that only Tom could hear him. "You are the greatest warrior I have ever seen. You defeated me from the first and still allowed me to hold my head up. I am in your debt. My life is yours to command." Tom was surprised but smiled at the young man. As Tom was putting his clothes back on the noticed the crowd disappearing. He was surprised when Li came up to him. "This was very good. You turned a sure win into a draw, and allowed the Ho Min clan to hold their heads high. You might even have done more than that, only time will tell. We will be back working in your house again this afternoon. I would like the chance to talk to you again." Tom nodded as he buttoned his shirt. He didn't look at Li, or even acknowledge his presence. He was sure that would have caused other problems that he was trying to avoid. When he was dressed Tom turned and walked back into the restaurant. Wei was still where she was when whole thing started and Tom doubted that she had moved a muscle during the any of that time. He frowned at her before turning once again and addressing the old man. "Well, I still want to know how we got to this point. Can you tell me anything?" The old man looked at Tom. He didn't smile but he didn't show the same hostility that had marked his earlier conversation. "Why did you do that?" Even though Tom wasn't sure exactly what he was referring to he did understand what he was asking. "You made me mad by assuming that all white men were just alike. There are some of us that are different. When the fight began I wanted to crush your best warrior. To show you that I was the better fighter and that my words carried the strength of my people. But, that was the anger working in me. When I saw all of the people and realized that we were being watched by all of the families I knew that your honor among them was just as important as mine. If I won I would hurt your honor, and if I lost I would hurt mine. It had to end as a draw to allow both of us to have honor." The old man thought for a minute before he slowly ask, "But why would you care about our honor." Tom smiled, "When you take away a man's honor you destroy him as a man. That is what is wrong with most white men; they have no honor. Not in themselves, their families or their people. That is why their word means nothing. A man with honor has no need to write down agreements and treaties, their word is enough. If those that come after them are honorable men they will honor the agreements. A dishonorable man will ignore the written word just as easily as the spoken word. The white men in this city especially are among the worst that the white man has to offer. Their every action is what they can lie, cheat and steal from their own people. Just being around these people disturbs me." The old man looked closely at Tom, "You do not consider yourself a white man. I have seen that you are not like them, even if you do look like them. Why are you different?" Tom smiled for a minute and looked around the room. The old man instantly understood. A few quick words in Chinese and all of the people started to clear the room. Mei and Su looked to Tom and he nodded his head. They followed everyone out of the room. Tom looked around and saw that besides himself, only the old man and Wei still remained. He didn't think that they would even be able to move Wei even if they tied her up first. Tom motioned to the old man and sat easily on the floor with his knees crossed. He was surprised when the old man easily sat across from him without even a hard breath. He remembered the Colonel and understood that these men were warriors, not like the white man's army. "I was born and raised just like every other white man that you see here. My father was what you would call a bully, and I was probably on my way to be just like him. But I met a nice old man that taught me to read and write. He opened my eyes to something more than what I could see. I wanted adventure and romance. I found that being a bully didn't get you everything that you wanted either. I saw that smart men could take things away from bullies. I learned that bullies are usually stupid, since they have never had to do anything but take what they wanted." Tom stopped to see the old man smiling at him. He smiled back. "After a smart man took my father's crop he decided it was time to move out west, for the free land. You can bet that if there is something free a white man will be in line to take it, and if there is any taking going on you will usually find a bully close by. So my father was a natural to be going west. When we were out west the wagon trail was attacked by Indians. I was taken captive. It was there that I learned that there are people that have honor. I learned the ways of the Indians and became an Indian. Some things are more than blood; they are a way of life. Being an Indian is like that. When I became an Indian I stopped seeing myself as a white man. I was full Cheyenne Indian and that is all that I will ever be, or ever want to be. It doesn't matter how I dress or talk, what is inside of me will never change." Tom looked at the old man and watched as he thought about it. "There are some of the young men that act like white men. They swagger and drink and lie. They are as bad as any white man. I always thought that they were still Chinese, but maybe what they are is white men in Chinese bodies. Maybe trying to get them to be Chinese is not possible. They may be like you, and that is all they will ever be. Where it has been good for you, not all changes are good." Tom sighed and nodded his head. "We also have trouble with young men acting like white men. They start drinking and then they start lying. It isn't long before they sell out their own people. When we find these men we usually just kill them. If you would turn on your own people, you don't deserve to live." The old man nodded his head. "I think that we are a lot more alike than I ever realized. I didn't believe that there were any white men that were honorable and might deserve some respect. I thought that the best white man was still lower than the worst Chinese. You have shown me that not only was I wrong, but I was fool as well." Tom nodded his head and sighed. He knew that it is a hard thing to change, and hoped that the old man could pull it off. "Do you want to know what I have learned?" The old man looked thoughtful and nodded his head. Tom smiled and softly spoke, "It makes no difference who you are, or where you are, there are only two kinds of men; honorable men and dishonorable men. Every group has liars, cheats and thieves. All you can do is get rid of them and try to teach your young people the value of an honorable life." The old man nodded his head. "How do you handle the liars, cheats and thieves?" Tom shrugged and sighed, "We don't have so many laws that we have to write them all down. Everyone knows what is right and wrong. We don't need laws to tell us that, we are a simple people. We don't do like the white man and lock away the ones that break our laws. Some things are simple things, or just being young or stupid. We can talk to them and decide if they meant to do wrong, or there are times that things get away from a person. Then there are the ones that want to do the things that are wrong, like the liars, cheats, thieves and murders. Those we handle very simply. The murders we kill, the thieves we cut off a hand, the cheat and liars are usually cast out with the thieves. We believe that they are cowards, so they are marked as cowards and cast out. All who see them know them for what they are. They usually don't live long for one reason or another." Tom shook his head and looked the old man in the eye. "An honorable man does not fear other honorable men, or even death. An honorable man lives his life meeting all things as well as he can. If he dies he knows that he has done his best, why should he fear that?" The old man nodded his head in agreement. "You speak with the wisdom of a much older man." Tom laughed and shook his head. "Oh no, don't try to make me sound wise. This is just the way that my people live, and the laws that my people live by, I didn't create them. I am not that wise. I often seek the counsel of my father and mother. Any man that believes that he knows everything really knows nothing. We just have to try and do the best that we can and hope that it is the right thing." The old man nodded his head. "I think that there will be some changes coming to the Ho Min clan. As leader of the clan I have not been doing my job. That is why Wei is on the floor, waiting for you to decide her fate. Let us call the others back in here and find out what has been going on while I was blinded by my arrogance." Tom smiled at the old man and nodded his head. "Don't think of it as arrogance. Look at it as one of those situations that got away from you. Remember when you speak to others that there are times that it does happen. The young seem to find them so much easier, so you shouldn't blame yourself too much." Tom watched the old man stare at him for a moment before the laughter burst out. He was still laughing when the others filed back into the room. Once he got things under control he took one last look around and started talking to each of the people of the Ho Min clan. Tom watched as he sent question after question to each of the people. Even though he didn't have a clue what was being said, he knew that the old man was now in his environment. It was like watching Grey Eagle getting to the cause of a problem. Su and Mei were quick to attach themselves to each side of Tom. He looked down at them and saw almost fear of the old man. He suddenly realized that they looked at him the same as their grandfather. He had the power of life and death in this room and the girls were so conditioned to respond to this that they couldn't help being afraid. After the old man had worked his way around the room and had talked to every person there he turned to the same little girl that Tom had sent to find the old man and sent her from the room at a run. Tom watch as the old man continued to pace around the room. He would occasionally stop in front of a person and give them a hard look before continuing his pacing. Tom wasn't really surprised when Ho Min Lu appeared with the young girl. He didn't look near as sure of himself as when he had stomped out. The old man didn't waste any time talking to Lu; he started in yelling. Tom watched Lu bluster a few times, but the ten young men still accompanying the old man make it very clear who was giving the orders. Tom watched Lu drop to his knees and bowing his head to the floor more than once. Both Su and Mei's hands squeezed tighter into Tom's arm. When the old man seemed to wind down he made a motion and two of the men grabbed Lu and pulled him from the room. He went yelling the whole way. Tom was sure that Lu was in some serious trouble. The old man stood back in front of Tom. "I have not been paying enough attention to the trouble brewing in my own house. Now I will need to find someone to run the restaurant." Tom thought for a minute. "It isn't my place to interfere in how you run things, but I have had some dealings of this type. Would you like another opinion?" Tom felt the girl's hands squeeze so hard he thought that they were trying to rip his arms off. He could see the old man start to get worked up again. He saw the fire flash in his eyes, and then he saw the old man calm himself and take a deep breath. "You have given me good advice, and I know that I must change if I am going to make our family strong again. I will listen to your advice." Tom looked around the kitchen and asked, "Who is Ho Min Lu wife?" The old man looked hard at Tom before he answered, "By daughter Mein married that worthless piece of dung." He turned and called to an older woman that was in the rear of the kitchen. Tom watched as she made her way to stand in front of the two men. She kept her head down and her hands submissively at her sides. Tom spoke boldly, "Look at me!" Tom watched as she quickly raised her face. She was not cowed, nor afraid; she calmly looked him in the eye. Tom studied her for a minute before asking her, "Do you know how to run this restaurant?" She didn't hesitate before she answered, "Yes." It was a simple factual statement. She didn't try to make any claims or conditions. Tom suspected that she was the real force behind the restaurant and always had been. Tom turned to the old man. "Here is the person to run the restaurant." The old man stuttered once before he managed to find his voice. "But she is a woman. I can't let a woman run the restaurant. The other families would think that we were weak letting a woman run a business. They would think and our men were children to be ordered around by their mothers. They would take advantage of her when she tried to buy from them. What you say is crazy." Tom smiled, "I have been called that before, it doesn't bother me. My people are like yours in many ways. They also think women can't do important things, but I have shown them differently. We have learned from our enemies that there are thing that can be done differently, or better. My people have learned that there are women that are stronger than some men, or smarter than some men. We let those women do what they can do, and it frees the men to do what they need to do. You can double your workers if you use your people wisely." Tom could see that the old man was considering his words. When he thought that he had chewed on it enough he swept his arm around the kitchen, "Look around you. How many men do you see working here? Already you are using women to do the work, why not let a woman run the restaurant? If some of the families think that they can take advantage of Mein then it is all the better. Think how they will look when she gets the better of them. If they think that you are weak, once again it is all the better. What will the others think of anyone taking advantage of you if you are weak? All the time you are getting stronger." Tom didn't give him time to think about things this time. He stepped forward and put himself right in the old man's face and spoke softly so that only the old man could hear him. "I will tell you, like I told my people; the white man is not weak. You can kill them until the ground runs red with their blood, but they will keep coming. They know how to build guns, trains, wagons and plows. They raise crops and cattle, and they teach their children these thing. They are not stupid. You should learn for them. Not everything that they do is better, but what is should be used. Use their own knowledge against them; it is the only way to defeat them." Tom stepped back and let the old man think about his words. He saw him nod a few times as he thought about his words. Tom saw when he reached his decision. For better or worse a decision had been reached. He turned to Mein, "What do you need to run this restaurant?" Tom smiled at the shock on Mein's face. Even Tom was surprised when Mein hugged the old man. "Thank you father, I will make you very proud of me." When she turned back to Tom she bowed respectfully, "You are a wise man. I don't know why my father trusts your words, but you have changed the Ho Min clan. You will make us strong, and you have given the women of Ho Min a chance to grow and be women that their daughters can look up to and be proud of." She bowed again before she turned to face the old man, "Father with Wei gone we will need a new cook." Tom politely coughed and got the attention of the two, "I hate to keep sticking my nose in things, but I would like to introduce you to Pong Shu Chin. She came to me because I was looking for a cook. She is a wonderful cook, actually better than Wei, but she doesn't speak any English. That is a problem for me because I don't have the time, or the people to keep telling her what needs to be done. Since all of you speak Chinese I don't see that it is a problem. So since I took one of your cooks away, I thought it only right that I find you one to replace her." Tom watched the two as they thought about this. Mein suddenly started firing questions at her. She was confused for only a moment before she answered. Question and after question was followed by answer after answer. Tom could tell that she was confident in her answers and she seemed relaxed. Tom noticed that the old man was watching him and not his daughter grill the new candidate. Tom noticed that motion concerning Wei. He sighed and nodded to the old man. While the women were busy Tom squatted down beside Wei and whispered, "Wei, No matter what happens you will be leaving with me. But, I am not going to do it your way. I am going to do it my way. So I want you to listen to me and do exactly like I tell you to, and when I tell you to do it. I don't want to hear a word out of you until I tell you to. So pay attention to me and we will get everything straightened out. Do you understand?" Tom watched and saw a very slight nod of her head. As he stood up he noticed that Mein was watching him. "Well, have you decided to hire her as your new cook?" Mein nodded her head and tightened her lips. "What are you going to do about Wei?" Tom frowned in thought and then let his eyes get big and snapped his fingers. He made it clear that he had just gotten a good idea. "Wei, stand up." It was a surprise to everyone in the room when Wei stood up. Tom fished in his pocket and pulled out his money. He quickly found a twenty dollar gold piece. As he handed the gold to Mein he said, "Now our business is complete. I offered twenty dollars, and I have now paid twenty dollars." Mein frowned at the money before looking at Tom, "But she has offered herself and that can't be ignored." Tom smiled at her, "I am sorry but I am just a stupid white man and I have no understanding of things like that. Only the people in this room have any idea of what you are talking about. Is there even one of them that doesn't see this as an honorable conclusion of our business?" Tom looked around and met every eye. Mein suddenly understood and looked around the room. Every eye gave a small nod of their head. When everyone had made their opinion known Mein turned to face her father. The old man took one more look around the room and gave his nod as well. Mein turn to Tom and formally said, "I accept the price that you have offered, and I am honored that Wei will be going with you. What will she be to you?" Tom didn't hesitate before he answered, "She will be a concubine, until I marry her off, sell her, or give her away she will serve me." Mein bowed respectfully, "It is an honorable agreement. The Ho Min family accepts the terms and concludes the agreement." When Mein straightened up tears was already half way down her face. She was quick to turn away. Tom turned to Wei, "Don't you think that you should go and pack? We will be leaving soon." Wei smiled and nodded her head before she was off at a run. Tom watched as Mein turned to the old man. She didn't say anything but he nodded his head and she was off after her daughter. The old man turned to Tom, "You have made an old man happy today, and saved a girl from a life that she did not deserve." Tom nodded in agreement, "It was the only way she had to draw attention to a situation that she felt trapped in." The old man nodded his head in agreement, and turned to leave the kitchen. Tom felt the tension leave his body. He felt like he had just fought a war. He was sure that he would fall asleep before he could get back to his home. Mei got his attention when she squeezed his arm. He looked to see Pong Shu Chin speaking to him. She bowed respectfully and as she straightened up she gave him a brief smile before she dropped her head and moved back deeper into the kitchen. Mei leaned close and whispered, "She said that you are a very nice man, and that she thanks you for helping her find a good cooking job. She also said that she wished that you would have bought her because watching you fight reminded her how much she misses her husband." Mei giggled and looked around before she whispered again, "I know what she was talking about. I can't wait to get you home. I am so wet between my legs that each time I move more goes down my legs. If we stay here much longer I might leave a puddle where I am standing." She giggled again and Tom groaned. He noticed that Ben had a grin on his face and he was sure that he knew exactly what was going on. Tom decided to wait in the carriage. ------- Chapter 41 He wasn't lucky enough to get any rest during the trip home. The girls all seemed to be wound up, and to Su's discomfort the other two refused to speak any Chinese. Tom grinned at her but knew that one way or the other she would be speaking English better in a short time. When they returned to the house Tom groaned at the presence of Miss Bristol in the drawing room. He had hoped that she had left before now. He didn't say anything as he passed by. He led the girls back to the kitchen and introduced Wei to Frieda. He explained again the arrangement and made sure that both women understood that they were equals. Tom noticed workers once again moving in and out of the new bathing room. There seemed to be even more people running around than before. Tom told Su to find Willard and bring him to Molly's room. She nodded and was gone. As Tom looked around the room he wondered if they had missed anything since her hasty departure. He was still looking around when Su brought Willard into the room. "You sent for me sir?" Tom nodded and turned back to the room. "Willard, Molly left in a big hurry. We found some of the things that she stole, but we might have missed something. I want you to collect all of her things and make sure that we didn't miss anything else. When you have done that grab a couple of the workers and have them move the bed over and take one of the other beds from the two rooms that the girls emptied and move it in here, along with another chest and wardrobe. Once you have everything settled I want you to show Frieda and Wei here and explain that they will share this room." Willard didn't hesitate to say, "Sir, there are other rooms available." Tom smiled at him and nodded his head, "Yes, I'm sure that there are. But, until I'm sure that the ladies will get along peacefully they will spend a lot of their time together. I will decide when they need another room." Willard looked thoughtfully for a moment before he nodded his head, "Very good sir, I will see to it immediately." Tom motioned to the girls and they left the room. They followed him back to the drawing room where Jennifer Bristol waited. When Tom stepped into the room his voice was sharp, "Get your clothes off." He heard the girls behind him gasp and saw the stunned looks on Jennifer's face. Tom slowly walked toward her still speaking, "Did you not hear me? Did I say something that you didn't understand?" Tom watched as she shook her head to his questions. He noticed that she didn't really have the power of speech. He wasn't concerned he was sure it could come back to her quickly. "Then get on your feet and get those clothes off." Tom stood in front of her with his hands on his hips waiting. She was slow to respond, but she was moving. Before she managed to get even one of the large numbers of buttons undone, she found her voice. "But sir, you can't mean that. Please don't make me do that, it isn't right sir." Tom didn't answer her but just stared into her eyes, as her hands moved to her throat and started on the tiny buttons at the collar. "You already told me what others have expected of you, and before I left I told you that I would expect more from you than any of the others. You said that you would do anything for a job. You have two choices one is the door and it is open, the other is to shut your mouth and do what I tell you to do. If I have to listen to your whining again I will toss you out on your ass. Do you understand me?" Tom never raised his voice, but he clearly made his point to her. She looked up at him tearfully and nodded her head that she understood. Tom nodded and turned his back on her. "Mei, go and find Becky and bring her here, and nobody told you to close that door. It will remain open so that Miss Bristol can leave any time that she wishes." Mei quickly nodded her head and shot from the room. Su looked like she wanted to go with her. Tom took a second to smile at her and wink. Su gasped as she realized that it was all an act before the smiled dropped from his face and he turned back to face the frightened girl. "What's taking you so long? Do I need to cut the buttons off that dress for you?" Jennifer blinked and started working faster, "Oh no sir, please don't. This is my last good dress. Soon all I'll have is my shift." Tom smiled at the thought. As the buttons cleared her breasts he saw that he had been right, they were unbound and jiggling nicely as she tried to hurry. He watched as she quickly came to that impossibly tiny waist and knew that his two hands would easily touch around her. He watched as she seemed to slow down when she got to the last few buttons. Tom couldn't keep his curiosity in check any longer, "What are your measurements?" He watched her blush before she answered, "34 – 16 – 30, sir." Tom shook his head slowly and thought about that. He could now see that her hips weren't as wide as he had thought, but the small waist gave the appearance of a more womanly spread. He wondered what it would be like to wrap his hands around her waist and plow her from behind. The thought made him smile as she dropped the dress off her shoulders and wiggled it past her hips. He found it very entertaining. He suddenly realized that the Cheyenne warriors were robbing themselves of a great pleasure when they stripped the captive women. This experience alone convinced him of that. As she stood there in her pantaloons and boots she tried to cover her large soft breasts. The fact that her nipples were hard and sticking up, like bullets on her breasts, wasn't lost on him either. "Why are you stopping? Did you think that I didn't mean everything? I'll tell you now, even your shoes." Tom watched the words sink in and she dropped down to remove her shoes first, and hopefully delay what she knew was coming. Tom knew that his position cheated him of the show that he knew that she was giving as her breasts wiggled and swayed as she unbuttoned her shoes. He looked to see if Su was watching the show and was surprised to see that she had sat down on one of the many chairs. She was not only looking but didn't seem able to take her eyes from the swaying mounds of tit flesh. He watched as she rubbed and squeezed her own nipples through the thin material covering her own breasts. He smiled at her actions, wondering what she would have done yesterday, with this same display. A movement of his arm caught Su's attention and she looked to see him watching her. He saw her breathing was heavy and she was lost in the moment. As he looked at her and then down to her hands she realized what she was doing and quickly brought her hands to her lap. He wondered if that was a good place for them, but hoped that she could be a little less obvious if she lost herself again. Tom watched as Jennifer stood back up and using the toes of each foot quickly slipped her shoes from her feet. After kicking them over to her discarded dress she was down to her last item. As she reached for the tie of her pantaloons a commotion in the doorway drew every eye. There were four workers openly staring as Mei roughly shoved them aside leading Becky through behind her. When the workers caught Tom's look they immediately got back to their work. Jennifer blushed all the way down past her breasts that she was covering and it was looking like she was going to make it a full body blush. Tom noticed that Becky stumbled once as she saw Jennifer standing in nothing but the pantaloons. Tom ignored her for the moment and turned his attention to Becky. "Did you send Miss Bristol to me as a cook?" His voice brought her eyes quickly to his face. She managed to nod her head. Tom looked at her hard and she looked away. "Did you know that she couldn't cook?" Tom waited until she seemed to understand what he had said. "Yes sir I sent her, but she told me that she was a good cook." Tom smiled at her and shook his head. "She isn't a very good cook, and now I am seeing if she has what it takes to be a good maid. I will give you the same choice that I gave her 'Get out of your clothes, or get out of the house.' I have watched you shaking your ass and tits for two days now. It's time to see if you can live up to what you have been selling." Becky looked stunned as she sputtered a few times, "But sir, I haven't been doing that. I have just been doing my job." Tom looked at her hard. "Don't give me that shit. I have watched all of you ever since I got here. There are three things I don't need; liars, cheats and thieves. If you ever lie to me again I will throw you out on your ass. Now you have been given a choice, so what will you be doing?" Tom watched as the reality of the situation came to her. He saw the tear leak from her eye but she started on the buttons of her dress. Tom saw movement in the corner of his eye and watched as Li quietly came into his field of view. He watched as he came to stand beside him. He spoke softly, "Some of my men told me of some strange goings on in here." Tom never took his eyes off of Becky, and she could feel the eyes of everyone in the room on her. For reasons that she didn't understand it sent a chill of excitement through her. Excitement that kept building the longer that they looked and each button built the excitement higher. "I am just interviewing for a maid." The statement was delivered with the same calm and diffidence as saying that he was getting a drink of water. Li glanced thoughtfully at him for a minute before giving his own calm reply, "I saw the way that you hired a cook and the way that you interview a maid makes me glad that I already work for you." Tom didn't crack a smile when he nodded toward Becky and said, "She already works for me too, she is trying to keep her job." Li lost his calm façade and stared openly at Tom. He was quick to get himself back under control and even managed a small quip, "Well I guess that you will have me stripping next." Tom didn't laugh as he expected, but was quiet serious when he said, "Maybe later, I'm busy with something else right now." Li choked before he saw the slightest smile play across Tom's face. "I was wrong about you, you aren't too soft. I doubt that there is anything soft about you." Tom nodded that he agreed. "It is something that I have never been accused of, but I can't imagine why." Li smiled widely trying to hold in the laughter. Once he was had himself firmly back under control he spoke softly, "Ming and Ping are very interested. They were in the crowd this morning and wanted to come out with me now. I hope that your man is half the man that you are, or you might have problems." Tom smiled at Li, "Send them out this afternoon. Make sure that they pack their things and have somebody to represent the family. We will get everything settled today, unless there is some formality that needs to be attended to." Li shook his head, "No I think that now would be a good time." Tom watched as Li turned and moved to the door, as he went through he noticed that he closed it behind him. Tom smiled at that but wondered if it was for the modesty of the women, or to keep his men working. As Tom turned his attention back to Becky he saw that her dress was on the floor and she was working on her corset. He noticed that her fingers were moving as fast as they could go and wondered what she was feeling. When he turned to look at Jennifer she saw that she was still standing in her pantaloons and cupping her breasts. He also noticed that she seemed to be squeezing them as much as cupping them. His voice cracked like whip through the silent room, "Get those pantaloons off." It was directed at Jennifer and she jumped as her fingers dove to the tie at the front. He was surprised when Becky stopped what she was doing on her corset and started untying her own pantaloons. He did notice that her breathing was getting very ragged and suspected that she found things very exciting. He would have to see about that. Tom looked to see how his girls were doing; Mei was having a hard time standing still and didn't know where to look. She was breathing fast and her hands kept drifting to one of her womanly places before she jerked it back. Su on the other hand had given up all pretenses and had her hand in her pants with a glazed expression in her eyes. Tom smiled at the girls and turned his attentions back to the two maids. Jennifer was standing there trying to cover herself with one arm across her both of her breasts and her other hand was cupping her mound. Becky on the other hand was once again working on her corset. She was jerking the incredibility long laces back through the eyes as she frantically worked her way down to the bottom. Her breasts had spilled out of the top as the loose corset sagged to her waist, but Becky didn't pay any attention to that as she kept working to get the offending garment off. Tom walked over to Jennifer; the scowl on his face brought her up short. "Put your hands behind you and keep them there. Remember what you are supposed to be doing. If you don't like what is happening, then get the hell out." Jennifer's hands went behind her back without a word, and she dropped her eyes to the floor. Tom looked at her critically, she was rather beautiful. He estimated her to be about eighteen. Her Sandy blonde hair would look very good once it was clean. Her hard nipples stuck out about a half an inch, and were as thick as the tip of his little finger. He liked that they were a hot pink color. As he looked down at her bush he realized that he couldn't call it a bush as it was just too sparse. He could clearly see the protruding lips of her womanly mound. She knew that he was looking at all of her charms and as he looked he saw the blush pass her neck and work its way down to her breasts. He smiled as he turned back to Becky. She had won the fight with the maddening corset and was quickly shoving it over her hips. As it fell to the floor she quickly stood up gasping for air, but Tom knew that it wasn't the exertion that was making it hard for her to breathe. The wild look in her eyes as she looked at him told him everything about her. He studied her body for the first time unhampered by clothes. Her light blonde hair was still wrapped tightly into the bun at the back of her head, but he could tell that it was clean. Her bright blue eyes had a fire in them as she watched him slowly look her body over. She stood up straighter and thrust her chest out, and slightly moved her legs apart. Tom looked at her breasts and saw they were easily larger than Jennifer's respectful handful. Her waist was nowhere near as small either, but her womanly curves were all delightful to the eyes. Her hard nipples were a deep coral color and he thought that they looked like little roses lying on the snow. As he swept his gaze down her body he was surprised to find that she had more than a bush covering her womanly charms. The wild growth was threatening to spread over her body if she didn't do something soon. But what drew his attention was the wetness spreading on her thighs. As he looked back into her eyes he saw the first trace of fear, and knew that she was looking for some sign that he found her pleasing. "Shoes?" was the only word that he said. She looked down in confusion and it was like she had never seen them before. Realization struck as she immediately dropped to the floor. Tom was amused that she chose to sit and spread her legs as far as they would go before bending one foot in front of her to remove it. The process was followed with the other foot, leaving him plenty of time to examine her most intimate of charms. Tom found that the display of her leaking slit was the last straw for Su; she groaned her release as her eyes rolled up and she quaked in the chair. He watched as Becky stopped and stared at the display. He also noticed that her breathing got even faster as she began to shake. It took a lot longer to get her last shoe off with her hands shaking so much. It didn't help that she couldn't seem to stop watching Su shivering in her chair with her hand still down her pants. When the shoe finally slipped free she slowly got back to her feet. Tom strode boldly up to her and looked down into her eyes as she stood and shook. He smiled at her and walked behind her. He took a wrist in each hand and pulled them behind her back. He gently continued to pull them until each of her hands met her elbow. As she grabbed her arms holding them behind her Tom released her. He took out the two pins holding her hair in the tight bun and watched as her hair fell to the middle of her back He leaned close to her ear, "Maybe I should tie your arms behind you just like that. Then I will put a rope around your neck and lead you through the whole house for everybody to see. Think of all of the workers eyeing your charms as I lead you through the house." That was as far as he got before she screamed and dropped to her knees. She continued to shake and quiver through her orgasm, but he noticed that she never released the grip on her arms. When Tom looked at Mei he saw that she was standing there panting and gently swaying. He saw that her silk pants were obviously wet and they were wet all the way down one leg to the floor. He could only guess that her little slipper type of shoe was just as wet. He enjoyed the thought. He turned his attention back to Jennifer. She was not shaking with excitement. She was staring in shock. Tom walked quickly to stand behind her. He noticed that Jennifer tensed when he got behind her, waiting for the assault to come. Tom smiled as he leaned down to whisper in her ear, "Tell me Jennifer, are you a virgin?" Jennifer gasped, but shook her head. He smiled and asked her, "How many times have you done it?" She quietly answered, "Once, sir." Tom smiled at the answer. "Tell me, how would you describe it?" She didn't hesitate and quickly whispered, "It hurt sir." Tom nodded his head, even though she couldn't see him. He slowly eased his hands across her arms and onto her soft breasts. He felt her tense, but she kept her hands firmly clasped behind her. He slid his hands gently forward until his fingers closed on her hard nipples. A gasp came from her lips as he gently rolled and pinched her hard little nubs. After another soft gasp he felt her relax and lean back against him. He smiled as he kept working on her throbbing pleasure buttons. As he raised his hand he whispered in her ear, "Open your mouth and lick my fingers." Even though he couldn't see her face he could hear her breathing change as she opened her mouth. He made a game of trying to catch her tongue with his finger and thumb and she giggled. When he had his finger and thumb nicely wet he quickly moved it back to her hard nipple. When she felt the slick wet finger trace around her nipple she groaned loudly enough to draw the attention of all of the other women. There were no shocked or surprised looks, just hunger in their eyes. As Tom slid his right hand down her tiny stomach he whispered, "Haven't you ever explored the pleasures of your own body?" He felt her shake her head as she whispered, "No sir, I'm a good girl. Momma said that only bad girls touch themselves. After Tommy stuck his thing in me I knew that I wanted to be a good girl. He hurt me and I bled. I didn't want to do any of those things anymore." Tom smiled as his finger found her magic button. He lightly stroked and rubbed her little pearl as she moaned and gasped in pleasurable shock at the sensations racing through her body. He dipped his finger lower and found her wet entrance. He stirred the opening of her soaking slit before sliding his wet finger back up to stroke more directly on the hard little nubbin peeking out of its hood. She groaned loudly and started to shake. Tom leaned even closer to her ear so that the breath of his soft words would tickle her ear. "I'm not hurting you, am I?" Tom felt her head shake but she didn't answer him. He smiled as she started to pant and buck her hips, trying to get more contact against his finger. He let her succeed some, just so that she would keep trying. He like the way she withered in his grasp. He slipped his hand lower and slipped in two fingers into her slippery slit. He felt her tense and knew that she was preparing for the pain that she expected. He felt the buck of her hips and the grunt of shock when the feelings that hit her weren't pain, but pleasure. He quickly started moving his fingers as deeply as he could reach and feeling her hips answering his hard thrusts. He whispered into her ear as he removed his fingers from her slippery hole. "Do you want to feel what it can be like, without the pain?" She had her eyes closed and was still thrusting her hips looking for his fingers when she wailed, "Oh yes, please sir, do anything that you want to me, but please don't stop." Tom smiled and whispered, "Get down on your hands and knees, and I will show you what being a woman feels like." She didn't hesitate to drop to her knees and fall forward onto her hands. She was still panting as she waited for Tom to remove his pants. "Hurry sir, I feel like I am burning up inside." Tom grinned at her excitement as he moved behind the beautiful blonde waif. Her small waist still held a tremendous fascination for him. He swabbed his cock head up and down through her wet lips as she growled in frustration. He then set it at the entrance of her pussy and pushed. Tom watched as she sucked in a deep breath and froze as his hard throbbing cock split her open for the first time in pleasure. She blew out her breath in an explosive charge as he sunk deep into her hot depths. When he eased back out she tightened her muscles, trying to keep him buried deeply in her quivering depths. She groaned her displeasure at the loss. He took a firm grip on her little waist with his fingers just touching and slammed his cock as deep as it could go. She screamed and started to shake. Tom kept slamming her little body against him as he rode her hard. She was screaming and crying, but all the time she was yelling, "Don't stop! God, please don't ever stop! Harder, pound me harder!" Tom did exactly as she asked and kept pounding her hot little pussy. He thought that she was one of the hottest pieces of ass that he had ever had. She was as tight as any virgin, but he didn't have to build up to a pounding rhythm. She was responsive and energetic, and he was having a great time giving her exactly what they both wanted. Suddenly she rose up and screamed and lurched forward so violently that she managed to break free of his grip and landed on the floor in front of him. There she convulsed and shook as her well fucked little pussy drooled out her thick white girl-cum. As she lay on the floor panting and mumbling to herself, Tom looked around the room to see which of the other women he wanted to finish off this fuck with. Becky quickly understood his look, with his hard cock waving in front of him. She had the advantage over the other women that she was already stripped bare and she wanted what Jennifer had just gotten. She quickly scampered over to drop in front of him, kneeling over the exhausted Jennifer. She didn't give the other girl a second thought. She wagged her ass back and forth, "Now me sir. Pound me hard. Make me cry out for you, too." Tom looked down at her pleading face. He smiled an evil grin and took hold of her hips, but he didn't plunge into her hot wet cunt. He moved back and pulled her back with him. When he had just cleared Jennifer's feet he stopped and pulled her back onto his aching cock. She moaned her agreement of his grunt of pleasure. After the first slow deep stroke he once again resumed his hard pounding rhythm. Becky squealed her pleasure at the hard pounding and wiggled her ass more for him. As he pounded harder he reached to her head and grabbed a handful of her golden blonde hair. She moaned as she felt the tug of her hair. He shoved her face down hard and she dropped to the elbows to follow his demands. Her face was right above Jennifer's ass. "Lick her clean, and don't leave a drop." She resisted for a moment, but the pounding in her hot pussy quickly removed any resistance that she had. Her first tentative lick flooded her taste buds with the sweet nectar of girl-cum. She squealed in surprise and quickly burrowed her face deeper. Tom released her hair and smiled at her willing display. He was always amazed how easily women seemed to accept eating pussy. They might fight and squeal but once they had their mouth down there, any resistance just disappeared. He watched as he pounded Becky's willing pussy. He was surprised when Becky rose up and flipped one of Jennifer's legs over, effectively turning her onto her back. Then she buried her face back into her still steaming swamp. Tom watched as Jennifer was assaulted with a totally new set of sensations. Even if she didn't understand what was happening, she did know that she was enjoying what she was feeling. Tom looked to see Mei and Su tightly joined together in the 'congress of the crow' as Mei called it. He wasn't concerned what it was called, but he knew that watching two women loving each other stirred his blood. As he neared his peak he pounded Becky harder and faster. She suddenly squealed her pleasure, taking Tom over the top with her. As they were all lying on the floor trying to recover their breathing, he noticed Jennifer snuggling into Becky's embrace. Tom looked over at Becky and she smiled and shrugged her shoulders. He shrugged back. ------- Chapter 42 As they were dressing Tom said, "From now on all you two will need is a dress. I don't want anything else on under that, even pantaloons." Both women looked at each other and giggled. When they were finished dressing Tom turned to the Becky and Jennifer and said, "I think that you two will be pretty good maids. It was only a matter of time before those horny warriors of mine found their way into your pantaloons. Now you know what you can expect. Until you feel that you don't want to live like this, I will pay you two and a half dollars a month, plus room and board." Jennifer gasped, "Really sir, two and a half dollars a month?" Tom just nodded his head. He was surprised when Becky chimed in, "What about me sir? Will I get two and a half dollars a month as well?" Tom didn't have to think about it, but did ask, "What are you making now?" Becky sullenly answered, "A dollar a month, plus room and board." Tom nodded his head and answered, "Yep, you too. From now on you will get two and a half dollars a month." Becky squealed in joy and hugged Jennifer. He heard Becky tell her, "Two and half dollars a month and all of the hard cock we can tease out of them! Can we ask for anything more?" Tom was just about to laugh when Jennifer answered her, "Yeah, but only until we catch, then what are we gonna do?" Tom immediately turned to the two women, "Don't you know about herbs that stop you from catching?" Both girls stared with open mouths as they looked at him. Tom just shook his head and turned to Mei, "Get them some herbs and make sure that they know how to use them. We don't need a houseful of little ones running around here." Mei nodded her head and started to lead the girls off when Jennifer suddenly stopped, "Sir the thought of little ones reminded me. I take care of my little brother and sister now that momma is gone." Tom turned to see her biting her lip and her worried look was back. "How old are they?" Tom watched as Jennifer seemed to think for a minute. He knew that a lot of people only guessed at their own age, and to ask about brothers or sisters were asking a lot. He knew that the real problem was also most people couldn't count much past ten because they ran out of fingers. Jennifer said with some conviction, "Patrick, all though we all call him Pat, is thirteen and Jessica is twelve." Tom thought for a minute. "All right, Pat can work in the stables and Jessica can work in the kitchen. I will pay them fifty cents a month along with room and board." Jennifer looked happy enough to fly as she launched herself at Tom and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him hotly, "Thank you sir." Tom managed to get her off of his neck before she followed up with her next item, "Oh sir Jess has been sleeping with me since she was born. Can she sleep in my room?" Tom thought for a minute before he answered. "That might be a problem. You see there is only room for two beds in those rooms, and you will be sharing a room with Becky, until I decide otherwise." Jennifer quickly smiled at Becky before she answered, "Then I don't think that we will have a problem, sir." She turned to Becky and quickly wrapped her in a tight hug. Tom smiled at the two women before he answered, "Okay so we don't have a problem there. Make sure that you explain the rules to Jess and how I expect her to dress. I want all of you to remember one thing; you do not have to do anything sexual with anybody. If you say no I will make sure that they understand that it means no. But if you tease them I will personally hold you down. I won't have you causing trouble." The women nodded that they understood the rules. Tom caught Mei's eye before she led them out and told her, "Tell Willard that he will need to move another bed, chest and wardrobe into Becky's room. He will understand what I want." Mei nodded her head and led the girls out of the drawing room. Tom turned to Su and told her, "Open some windows. This room smells like our bedroom." Su giggled as she ran for the window. Tom decided to see what was cooking for lunch. He couldn't believe that with everything that had happened that it wasn't even lunch time yet. When he got to the kitchen he was surprised to find the Wei was the only one cooking. When he asked she said, "The man named Robert took Miss Frieda to get her things. I have already put my things in our room." Tom nodded that he understood and started for the dining room when Wei asked, "Master, shouldn't I have a room alone, so that you can visit me in the night." She blushed a fiery red and lowered her head, but he knew that she was watching him. "No. If I want to use you in any way, I won't be sneaking around in the night. I will come and take you anytime and anywhere I please, and I will use you in any way that I please. I will have Mei and Su talk to you before this evening. Then you will have a choice to make, and your fate will be set." He then turned and calmly walked to the dining room to wait for lunch. For some reason he was terrible hungry today. As he sat in the dining room Willard found him and quietly spoke, "Sir, there is a woman in the drawing room that insists on speaking with you. I am afraid it might be unpleasant." Tom looked at his face for some idea of what was going on, but his stony expression gave nothing away. He nodded his head and went to see what unpleasant business awaited him now. Tom was not in a good mood, but it had mellowed from the mornings activities. He was not prepared for the matronly exhibition that was waiting. She was five and half feet tall and Tom suspected that she was even larger around. She was sitting on one of the couches, because she couldn't fit in any of the chairs. She was fanning herself with her straw hat to help combat the rivulets of sweat pouring down her face. Tom watched as she mopped her face with her handkerchief while she continued to fan herself. She saw him looking at her and quickly struggled to her feet. After taking a quick appraisal of Tom she launched into her tirade. Standing with her hands on her hips she spoke loud enough for her voice to carry back to the dining room. "I am Bridget Jones, and I will be your new cook. I am every bit as good as Molly. I can't imagine her ever leaving here, but I'll not put up with her slack ways. I'll run my kitchen the way I see fit; I won't have anybody tell me what to do in my kitchen. You will pay me four dollars a month, plus room and board. I will have to approve of my room as I have special needs that require more room. I will handle all of the accounts and turn them over for you to pay. I will cook good wholesome meals, but I won't have anybody telling me what to cook. If you have a special request you will ask me nicely and I might do it for you. And there will be no shenanigans going on under my roof. I'm a good God-fearing Christian woman, and I won't tolerate the likes. Now show me to my room and I will see if it will be acceptable." Tom smiled at her, "I have already hired a cook. Please leave now." Tom turned to leave before she thundered, "What do you mean that you already hired a cook? You can just tell her that you made a mistake, and send her on her way. I'm the cook here, and it looks to all the world like you need a firm hand." Tom turned back to her still smiling, "I have asked you to leave and now I will tell you; get your fat ass out of my house and don't come back." He watched her sputter and her temper rise. Her eyes had a hard look as she sneered, "Young man, I think I should be talking to your father. You obviously don't have the good sense God gave you." Tom wasn't smiling when he looked her over again. He spoke calmly and softly, but he knew that she could hear him clearly. "I bought this house, and I am the master here. Since you aren't smart enough to leave when you have the chance, let me tell you a few things. Molly didn't leave, she ran. Now she is sitting in jail, where you will probably end up. We exposed her little games with the green grocer as well as the stealing that she has been doing in the house. I think I will find out who you work for now and explain the little game that you have going." Tom saw the fear and hatred in her eyes as she took a step toward him. She froze at the sound of a pistol being cocked and slowly looked toward the door. Tom didn't look as he already knew that it would be John or Ben. He was surprised to clearly hear Willard's voice, "Mrs. Jones works for Mr. Hunley, two estates down." John voice followed with his own addition, "I'll be heading over there shortly to explain things. I'll even tell him how you interviewed your new cook. I'm sure that he will be interested." Willard quickly added, "He will indeed be interested. Mr. Hunley is known as a man who enjoys a good meal. He is frequently observed in the restaurants in town." Tom grinned, "He probably eats there because of the swill that she serves." Tom and John laughed and Tom thought that he even heard a snicker from Willard, but only one. Tom turned his full attention to the woman. The hatred and fear were still in her eyes but she had added tears. Tom wasn't swayed, "I have asked you to leave, and I have told you to leave. I will not tell you again, I will just have my men pick you up and throw your fat ass out the door." Tom turned to John, "Get a handful of strong men and show Mrs. Jones where the door is." Tom watched as John dropped his pistol back into the holster and turned toward the dining room, "Ben, get Luke and Robert, we have a quick job to do." Tom looked back at Mrs. Jones as she trembled in rage. He moved his coat so that she could see the shoulder holster. She hissed like a cat and stormed out the door. Tom smiled at her as she passed. Willard had a wistful sound in his voice, "Sir, I will gladly forego this month's pay, just to have been allowed to watch this one event. It is something of a fantasy, to many people in this community." Tom grinned at Willard, "I have to admit that it did feel good." John quietly spoke, "Good thing that Ben is still out in the stables. He would have done it, even if she was on her way out. Hell, I wanted to do it, but I didn't think I was strong enough to handle it on my own." All three men released a wistful sigh together. John shook his head and said, "Willard, why don't you walk me to the stables so that you can give me directions to Mr. Hunley's estate, I would like to get there before she does." Willard nodded and Tom was sure that he saw a small grin as the two men headed off toward the stables. Tom called after them, "John when you get done there get back here. I have something that you need to take care of." Even though he didn't answer he knew that he had heard. Tom headed back to the dining room. He was happy to see that Wei was putting out lunch. His stomach growled. He looked down at it and said, "Shut up, I'll feed you when I'm ready and not before." He wondered, as he thought about his actions, 'Maybe I do need a firm hand.' As he passed Wei, he brought his hand back and gave her a firm swat on the ass. She yelped and jumped as she started to rub her butt. He noticed that she grinned and as she walked away he noticed that her hips had a little more sway than they did before. He smiled, "Nope, my hand if firm enough." Lunch was excellent. John had not returned in time to join them and Robert was still gone with Frieda. Some of the workers were drooling at the smells coming out of the kitchen. It was a mix of American and Chinese food. It was literally 'something for everybody' and it was enjoyed by all. Tom was sitting in the drawing room when John came in and slumped in a chair. Tom noticed that he always chose chairs where he could watch the doors and as many windows as possible. John had a smile on his face, "I stayed until she got back. It took longer than I would have thought. She waddles slowly. Mr. Hunley was terribly upset and we even sat and went through some of his past receipts. He was not a happy man, but he got very excited as I explained how you interviewed your new cook. I think that he will be eating at home a lot more often." Both men grinned at the thought. Tom cleared his throat, "John, The Wong Su twins will be here in a little while. Are you ready to meet them?" The look on John's face told him everything that he needed to know. They didn't have to wait long. Li led an old Chinese man in. He was dressed in all of his finery and Tom noticed that the girls were decked out in what he assumed to be their best clothes. After the bows and introductions Li turned to speak to the old man. John quickly whispered, "Shit, I didn't even ask you how much to offer for them." Tom glanced at Li and decided that they could have a conference of their own. "This isn't a matter of how much. If you really wanted to bargain you could probably get the old man to pay you. This is a matter of honor for the family and the girls. But since we really don't care about the money just offer twenty-five dollars apiece. One gold square will settle everything. I have found out that you don't want to offer too much, or too little. Either will come back and bite you in the ass." At John's confused look Tom had to explain, "Wei was basically in the same boat. Since I needed a cook and she needed to be bought I thought that it would work out best for everybody. But then I had a problem. If I paid more than I did for Mei and Su they would be offended, but if I offered less Wei might get upset once she found out. And women always talk about things like that. So I was stuck. That is why you have to be careful. You might not ever be in the same situation, but I didn't expect to be either." As Tom was telling him his tale, John thought about it. He could see the potential for future problems. Li waved to them and Tom led John over. Li motioned and Tom and Li stepped aside as the old man launched into a formal announcement. Tom nodded at the old man, "What is he doing? I haven't ever seen that before." Li sighed and explained, "He is telling your man all about the girls; their abilities and their weaknesses. If they don't measure up then he can bring them back." Tom was a little agitated, "Nobody ever did that for me. My life would have been a lot easier if I had a return deal built into the package." Li grinned, "It isn't a normal thing, but sometimes it does happen. This is the girl's idea. They want it known that they are a package deal and that there will be no splitting them up, now or later. It's a way to save face if he can't handle their close relationship with each other and wants to throw them out. And it guarantees that he won't try to sell one off and keep the other. They are very serious about staying together, and trust me when I tell you that they know how to defend themselves. They may not look it, but they can be as deadly as a pair of snakes and they fight together as one." Tom looked at the two women. They were as close as two peas in a pod. He couldn't see a single hair that was different. He had a hard time thinking of them as deadly, but remembered how Little Mule had beaten Wild Buffalo even tied. He also remembered how Mei and Su could produce small knives at any time and he knew that they knew how to use them. Yes, these two might be more dangerous that they looked. Tom watched as John made his offer and it was quickly accepted. The girls were stunned at the amount and blushed openly. They had openly admired Tom but now closely examined the man that they would call master. Li led the old man back out to the waiting carriage. John seemed a little confused as to what he should now be doing. Tom smiled and suggested that he should get their things moved into his room, and after that maybe it would be a good idea to have Mei and Su show them around and introduce them to everyone. He whispered that he would have the girls give them a talk about what was expected of women living with a Cheyenne warrior. John looked relieved at the suggestions and nodded his head. Before they moved off John whispered his thanks. Tom had finally managed to get into the library, and even found a few books that interested him before Peter firmly threw him out. Tom smiled at the changes but he knew that it was just being in his natural element. Tom was on his way to the drawing room when a thought came to him. He immediately turned and searched out Willard. He found him busy managing the furniture move for the girls. Tom quietly inquired, "Willard, may I have a look at your room?" For the first time he saw a surprised look cross the stony expression, but it was gone as fast as it appeared. "Of course, sir; this way," Willard gestured and led the way down the hall to the first room. Tom figured out that this was the servant's wing. When they stepped into the room Tom would have instantly known that it belonged to Willard. Everything was neat, orderly and precise. Nothing was out of place and he doubted that there was a speck of dust on anything. If there was he probably had it numbered and accounted for. Tom nodded his head and told him, "This is very nice. It is exactly as I would expect it to be. Everything in the room tells me that it's your room. I would think that you would feel comfortable here." Tom watched as Willard nodded. Tom decided to broach the subject quickly, "Willard, I don't think that I will be needing you as a butler any further." Tom wasn't surprised when he took the news without even a blink. Willard softly inquired, "Shall I begin cleaning out my room sir?" Tom slowly shook his head, "No Willard, I have decided that you are much too talented to be a butler. I want you to take on running the house. You know, the normal day to day things that need to be done, and the management of the staff." Tom saw a smile on his face for the first time. "You wish me to be your majordomo, sir?" Tom knew that he was in over his head here and decided that honesty was the best policy. "Willard, we both know that I have an education and that I am knowledgeable. However, I am not versed on the finer points of high society. I will need your help to learn and understand these things. I don't have a clue what a majordomo is. I can assume that since I described what I wanted you to do, that it is a title for that position." Willard nodded before he spoke. "Yes sir, you are correct. A majordomo is the highest person of a household, or domo, staff. It originated from the Latin term major domus. Your knowledge is impressive sir, and you are quick to learn and apply those things that you do know. I would be honored to guide you in these things sir." Tom smiled and nodded his head. "Thank you Willard." As Tom turned to leave, he stopped and looked at the bare wall by the door. He frowned for a minute. "Willard, as much as this room screams your name, there is something definitely missing." Willard looked perplexed at the wall that Tom was looking at, "Sir, I can assure you that I have not taken anything from this room. I would never do something like that." Tom nodded his head that he understood, "No Willard, I never thought that you would. But when I look at this wall I can see clearly what is missing. I want you to go a get Li and bring him here. Tell him I want a bookcase on this wall. When that is done I want you to go out and buy a nice comfortable chair and table, as well as a new lamp." Tom looked to see a definite smile on his face. "Understand me here Willard, I don't want you taking another chair from another room. I want you to get a chair that is yours. One that feels like you, when you sit in it you should feel like the chair is an extension of your body. If you can't find a chair like that, I want you to have one made. This is important to me, Willard. I want that chair to be so comfortable that if you fall asleep in it when you wake up it will feel like you were sleeping in your bed." Tom thought that Willard's smile might break his face since it wasn't accustomed to things like that. "Yes sir. Very good, sir." Suddenly Willard frowned, "Sir, something like that might take a long time." Tom smiled as she shook his head, "Willard, It takes as long as it takes. No matter what I might ask you to do, I want it done right the first time, even if takes longer. That goes for everyone in the house. Do it right the first time, I don't like half measures." Willard was nodding his head, "Yes sir, a very sensible view. But sir, what about the costs involved?" Tom looked confused for a minute, "I'm not worried about the cost of a chair. As far as the rest of the house, I have found that going a little slower and doing a job right the first time, takes a lot less time than having to go back and fix it later, or even doing it again. In the end it doesn't cost anymore." Willard looked thoughtful and he nodded his head. "Sir, I believe that we should sit and talk about a number of things. Maybe the drawing room would be better." Tom nodded and turned to leave the room before stopping again, "Oh yes, one last item, how much do you make?" Willard stood a little straighter when he replied, "I make four dollars month, sir." Tom shook his head, "No Willard, you make eight dollars a month. I also want you to take over another room. Put a desk and file cabinet in there, and anything else that you feel that you will need to direct the affairs of the house. I also want you to get a small safe to keep in there, since you will be keeping the money for the house accounts and to pay the staff. You see Willard, I trust you. If you need anything else done talk to Li and have him work on it, you should be as comfortable there as in this room." When Tom turned to leave he didn't think Willard could stand any straighter, even if he tied a board to his ass, and Tom was happy about that. As he stepped into the hallway he saw Becky and Jennifer watching through the doorway of their room. Tom called, "Jennifer." He watched as she scampered quickly up to him, and stood straight with her hands to her sides, "Yes sir." He grinned as her voice squeaked. "Grab Becky and come with me, and have you gone to pick up your things and my other workers?" He saw her head shaking as he was talking, "No sir, I was waiting until I finished out the day. And sir, please just call me Jenn. When you call me Jennifer I feel like I am going to get a scolding." Tom grinned at her and nodded as he motioned her toward Becky. As she turned to go he couldn't resist a quick pinch on her shapely backside. She squealed as she looked over her shoulder at him, then scampered away giggling. He waited as she passed along the request to Becky and turned when they started toward him. They trooped back through the house. When they got to the kitchen Tom found Mei and Su talking with the three other Chinese women. He noticed a red face or two and believed that he knew the topic of conversation. ------- Chapter 43 Tom called to Mei. He noticed that just his presence was enough to make Wei blush. He smiled at her and it only made it worse before she dropped her head. Ming and Ping didn't drop their heads, but studied him intently. "Mei, please ask Su to find Robert and have him take Jenn to pick up her things, and bring back her brother and sister. Also, I am sure that at least one of Li's relatives makes clothes. Talk to him and arrange for the girls to all have six new dresses; five of them for everyday work, and one for fancy occasions. Mei, I want you there to make sure that they get what I want. Remember what they wear under their clothes. There might be a need for some extra padding or support in a few places." Mei grinned at the description, but Becky and Su were jumping with excitement. "Also Mei, don't forget Frieda and Jenn's little sister will also need dresses. I will leave you to make sure that Wei is dressed as a good Chinese woman should be. Talk to Willard; let him know that I want him and Pat to both have six new changes of clothes as well. They should be appropriate for the job they are doing; he will understand what is needed." Mei didn't even blink at the task ahead of her. "Master, for a job this big Won Su Li will have everybody come here, and do all the work here. It will be very quick." Tom nodded, "Make sure that we have a place for them to work, away from any other workers as there will be a lot of naked women running around. Also remind Li that he will be washing these clothes, if they aren't good quality we will both know. I want all of the uniforms to be the same color; see what colors Willard wants. I have put him in charge of the house and the staff." Mei nodded her head and bowed respectfully. Tom knew that anyplace other than the bedroom, she would always show the ultimate respect for him. He gave a small bow and left the excited girls to their own devices as he carried his books to the drawing room. Tom managed to spend the rest of the afternoon in the drawing room with a good book. He found it was the most relaxing time that he had since arriving in Washington. Dinner was interesting. It was the first time that Frieda and Wei worked together on a meal. Everything was excellent and Tom couldn't find a thing to complain about. The other warriors were just as impressed. Tom could tell by the fact that they managed to eat everything that had been put on the table. Tom wasn't surprised that there were some seating changes. Tom at one end with Mei and Su at each hand, and John at the other with Ming and Ping on each hand. The other warriors managed to arrange themselves in the middle. There were some envious looks at John, but Tom was sure that he never saw a one, he wasn't even sure that he tasted anything that went in his mouth. But he knew that John was happy. Ming and Ping's English was excellent and they contributed to the conversation. One subject was the challenge that happened earlier in the day. That had John's complete attention. He listened as the girls gave a complete blow by blow of the action. He had to admit that listening to the girls was even more exciting than being there. He also noticed that Mei and Su were starting to squirm in their chairs. He wondered if all women were excited by violence and danger. Tom saw the look on John's face and he met it with complete calm. He softly reminded him, "You couldn't have helped with a challenge any more than Ben did. There are things that I have to do, learn to deal with it." He saw the slight nod. Acceptance is not always easy, but John knew the life that they lived. He never wanted to have to tell Grey Eagle that he had failed to keep Tom safe, especially now that he had Ming and Ping at his side. There were some things that had to be met head on, and he accepted that. As they broke up to call it an evening Tom motioned to Ming and Ping; when they came to him they bowed formally. Tom smiled at them, "He is not some young blushing virgin. He has probably had more women than you have had dresses, but this is the first time that he has ever been with two women at the same time. Go easy with him, help him and guide him. He will get the hang of things quickly enough. Just give him back to me in the morning still breathing and I will be happy." The girls giggled, and bowed again. Tom didn't know if it was Ming or Ping that spoke, but he didn't really care as they seemed interchangeable. "We mean no offence, but he isn't just a man that works for you, is he?" Tom didn't hesitate, "No we are like brothers. All of us are warriors. Any of them could have fought in my place this morning and it would have probably turned out the same way. We are used to fighting and dealing in death. We love as hard as we fight. There is always a balance in life." The girls looked at each other and then answered, "Ying and Yang, the balance of life." They bowed again, very low and very respectfully. When they straightened up they both turned and went to John and pulled him toward the stairs, and his room. Tom was still smiling when Su asked, "What you smile at? You like new girls too?" Tom just shook his head, "Just watching a lamb being led to the slaughter." Su thought hard about that for a minute before she started to laugh as she watched the girls pulling John up the stairs. "He be okay. They be good whores for John. We explain things, just like you tell us. Like us, they no understand at first, but we make sure they know truth. Now they know, make good whores. Now time you make your whores happy." She grabbed his arm and started leading him to the stairs herself. He was a little confused that Mei wasn't with them, but knew that she wouldn't be too far behind. When they arrived at his room he found that not only wasn't she too far behind, but obviously she was well in front of him. Mei knelt on her keens naked, and beside her knelt Wei, also naked. Where Mei looked at him with obvious hunger Wei had her head bowed submissively. Tom grinned at the sight as her turned to Su, "You better see how fast you can get down there with your sisters." Su didn't say a word but Tom saw clothes flying, and heard some heavy breathing. He wasn't sure which one was doing the breathing, but he suspected that it was all three. He stood in front of Wei as Su dropped to her knees beside her. "Has your choice been explained to you?" Wei answered quickly, "Yes Master." Toms' silence stretched until Wei continued, "I can get up and go back to my room, and you will treat me like an honored sister. If I stay you will treat me like a whore." Tom smiled. It appeared that the girls did explain things to her. "Why would I treat you like a whore?" Wei never looked up, but her words were strong, "If I choose to stay I would be your whore. You have paid for me, and when you use my body I would be your whore. I would always be your whore, until you marry me off, sell me or give me away." Tom nodded his head as he saw that she applied her status to the contract. He suspected that the girls had as much to do with that as everything else. "Do you know what I will do to you if you disobey me, even for hesitating to do as I tell you?" He saw a slight nod of her head, but still she would not look to meet his eyes. "Yes master, you will tie me naked in front of your house for any man to use me, until you think that I have learned my lesson. If I still disobey you, or do something serious you will take a stick and beat me while I am tied in front of your house. At any time if I displease you, you will kill me." Tom nodded that she seemed to understand what she had been told. "The question is, do you believe what you have been told? Do you think that I would do those things to you?" Wei did hesitate before she answered, "Yes, master. I saw you fight this morning. You are a great warrior. I heard what you told grandfather about liars, cheats and thieves. I know that you would not lie. You have said that you will do these things and I believe that you would." Tom didn't comment on this, but commanded, "Look at me. Look into my eyes." When her head come up and looked into Tom's eyes she saw the pistol pointing to her forehead. Tom pulled the hammer back and everyone heard the hammer catch. Tom saw the fear in her eyes for only a second before it was gone; replaced by calm acceptance. He noticed that heavy breathing he had heard earlier was gone. Even Mei and Su were frozen in place. None of them moved a muscle. "Tell me why I shouldn't kill you now. You have certainly caused me enough trouble. Your own family was ready to kill you to save their honor. If I kill you now it will show just how serious I am that I will do what I say." Tom waited to see what she would say. "Master, all you say is true. My family was ready to kill me, and I have caused you much trouble. But I will be a good whore for you and I will never cause you trouble again. But from the moment you bought me, my life was yours." Tom eased the hammer back and put the pistol in his holster. Still looking into her eyes Tom asked her, "What is your choice?" This time Wei didn't hesitate, "I will be your whore, master, for as long as you will have me." She dropped her head back down and assumed her submissive posture. Tom shook his head and wondered what it was about women that drove them to choose the worst treatment that they could find. He knew that he would probably never know. "Su, you and Mei will take her to the bed and show her what I expect of my whores." Both of the girls screamed and jumped to their feet. He watched as a confused Wei was dragged onto the bed. Then the girls were on her like a pair of rabid dogs, or possibly a pair of bitches in heat. He smiled at the thought as he removed his clothes. Wei didn't put up much of a fight as she was introduced to woman loving. It wasn't like she could get away. Tom was surprised to see her bountiful breast wiggle on her extremely small frame. Even though he had noticed them when he had first saw her, he was not prepared for the sight of them wiggling around on her small chest. The girls seemed to find them exciting as well, as they each dove to her chest and sucked a hard nipple into their mouth. Wei groaned at the dual attack, but she wasn't going to be stupid and complain about it. Tom thought the sights were amazing with Mei and Su with their asses wagging in the air, while Wei's spread legs entertained their fingers. Tom grinned to himself as her moved the girl's fingers out of his way and gave Wei her first experience of a tongue on her pussy. If the scream, just before her body tensed and started to shake was any indication, she seemed to like the attention. They continued working on her until there was just a steady stream of Chinese babble coming from her lips. Her body's constant spasms showing her continuing orgasm. Tom moved up and seated his hard cock. A firm push and he was deep in her clasping tunnel before she even knew that it had happened. But she quickly realized that it did. She gasped and her eyes flew open, and she looked to see Tom waiting above her. "Take me, master. I have waited years for a man to claim me." Tom began to move in a slow and gentle rhythm, slowly working himself deeper with each thrust. Once he bumped the back of her pussy he started increasing the speed and power of his thrusts. Wei began to chant something in Chinese as she wrapped her small legs around him. Mei and Su were forced away from her hot throbbing nipples when she pulled Tom closer to her thrusting body. Tom was amazed as he pounded into her thrusting body. Her legs were wrapped around his waist and her arms locked around his back and she had her teeth sunk into his shoulder muffling the screams coming from her mouth. Once again she seemed to be in a constant state of orgasm. It never seemed to end, but it did appear to get stronger as her grip on his body got stronger. She suddenly pulled her head back and screamed. Well, Tom thought that she was going to scream. She started to, then her whole body locked up in a seizure, and then she fainted dead away. He looked down at the gasping woman whose body still convulsed with spasms even in her unconscious state. Tom rose up and his cock popped free. He was shocked to see Mei and Su roll the unconscious Wei to the side, and then launch themselves at him. He was knocked onto his back. Su quickly managed to slot his slimy cock into her tight hole. As she slid down the sticky shaft she loudly groaned her pleasure. Tom could see that since Mei had been a little too slow to get to his cock first. She didn't know what to do with herself. Tom guided her over to straddle his face. With Mei and Su facing each other, they found each other's mouths and tits. They quickly decided that this was their favorite position. Regardless who managed to get to his cock first, it let them both enjoy being with him and each other. After blasting deeply into Su's clasping pleasure tunnel, Tom felt Su fall away and Mei dove for his cock. She sucked their combined juices from his shaft, mouthing him deep and sucking hard. He realized that she was trying to keep him hard. He grinned at the thought. Only having cum once, he didn't think that with as much stimulation as he had had today that there was even a chance of him getting soft after only one climax. Mei quickly turned around and locked eyes with Tom as she lowered herself onto his hard shaft. Tom knew this game and welcomed it as she rode him hard and fast to a thundering orgasm. Once had had filled her quivering mound she fell to the side of him. His shaking hand found Su's long black hair, and he grabbed a handful of it as she forced Su to clean his sticky shaft. It didn't really require much forcing, but the act still excited both women. When Su had finished Mei pulled her over her body to feast on each other's flowing fountain of womanly delights. Tom smiled at the two as he snuggled up to Wei. He knew that once the new wore off they would settle down. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to sleep. Morning brought a similar routine as the previous day, with the exception of one addition person enjoying themselves in the bath. Tom inquired, "When will they be finished with the bathing room?" He watched as Mei and Su looked at each other before Mei answered, "They are already done, master. Is there something that has been missed, or is there something more that you would like done?" Tom didn't have to think about it at all. "With my people the outhouse is a serious problem. We used to move the outhouse around, like the white men, but since then I have found a better way. We dig a very deep hole and small rocks in the bottom. On top of that we place larger rocks, and still larger rocks. Then many times during the day water is dumped into the outhouse. It helps to wash away and dissolve much of the waste. It means that we aren't constantly digging new outhouses, and it helps keep the smell reduced. If we build a system like this I don't see why we can't get Li's cousin to run some pipes from his tub through the floor and out under the house to dump into the outhouse. It should make things easier for everybody, and remove a lot of the work of hauling away dirty water." Mei and Su sat stunned. Mei suddenly grinned, "Master, you are a very clever man. I will talk to Wong Su Li when he comes here this morning. I will see if it can all be done today." Tom nodded before her statement registered. "If everything was done, why was Li coming here this morning?" Mei and Su once again looked at him, but this time it wasn't because of something clever. Su answered his question, "Master, they come to make clothes. You say you want much clothes. You forget?" Tom suddenly understood. "No, I didn't forget. I told you to handle it, so I don't have to think about it anymore. That was why I told you to make sure that it got done." Mei looked at Su and spoke just loud enough for Tom to hear, "I think he just forgot, but he doesn't want to admit it." When Tom looked over at them they both giggled, and Tom grinned as he slid a little deeper in the hot tub. Tom was glad that John was still alive. He didn't look like he had gotten any sleep and Tom remembered his times at the Cheyenne village when he had looked just like that. When Tom looked at Ming and Pin they looked like they had just slept for ten hours; their eyes were bright and alive and they were giggling at every comment that he made. He remembered his own wives doing the same things, and was glad that John seemed happy. They had just finished breakfast when Willard quietly spoke to Tom, "Sir, Master Li and some women are waiting for you in the drawing room." Tom thought it was strange that Willard had shown them to the drawing room, as he had been coming and going for days without any announcements by Willard. He suspected that this was something different. Tom motioned to Mei and Su, they understood that something was up and immediately fell in with Tom. He heard the soft footfalls of John as he followed farther behind the group following Willard to the drawing room. Upon entering the drawing room Tom saw Li as he stood beside a very old lady seated on the center of a couch. He did notice that there were two other middle-age women that were also standing to the other side of the old woman. Willard immediately bowed and announced, "Master Thomas, may I present Wong Su Li and has family." Then Tom watched as Willard quietly left the room. Tom could see Li was very tense. Tom smiled and bowed respectfully, "Wong Su Li, I am honored that you, and your family, have visited my house, you are most welcome." Tom watched as one of the women standing helped the old lady to stand, all the while whispering in her ear. Li bowed and answered, "Master Thomas, you honor us with welcome. May I present my most honorable mother, Wong Su Tzu." Tom suddenly understood the formality. As Li's mother she was the wife of the head of the Wong Su clan. Tom bowed very low and respectfully, "Your most honorable mother honors my humble home." Li seemed relieved as he stepped back slightly behind his mother. Tom knew that she was giving him as critical an examination as any visiting War Chief ever had. He stood calmly as she looked him over. Her voice was frail, but there was still fire in her as she spoke in Chinese. Tom calmly watched her as she spoke and when she finished Tom heard Mei quietly begin to translate her words. Tom suddenly held up a hand and Mei froze, a small gesture and she stepped back. Tom looked at the old woman, "If the lady Tzu has anything that she wishes to say to me she can do it in English." There was a collective gasp from everybody in the room, with the exception of Tom and the old woman. They just stared at each other critically. Suddenly the old woman laughed a hearty laugh that belied her age. She made a motion and all of the Wong Su clan started for the door. Tom made a similar motion and Mei and Su left without a sound. After the others were gone Tom made another small motion and John stepped out the door and closed it after him. Tom made a motion and a nod and the old woman sat down on the couch. Tom eased himself into a convenient chair. She spoke first, "That man is a dangerous man." Tom looked thoughtful before he answered, "I think of him more as a pussycat." The old woman laughed before she said, "Yes, and if what I heard about you yesterday is true then you could have a pet dragon you would treat like a puppy." Tom grinned, but didn't answer. After he saw that she wasn't going to continue on that line he said, "So what is the real reason that you have invaded my house, now that we have sent the children out to play?" The old woman laughed again. "You are younger than Li, but like him you are strong and sure of yourself. You have been a leader of your people. It speaks in everything you say and do. You are strong and proud and you fear no one; you made that clear yesterday. You defeated Ho Min Chin with a knife." She waved her hand before Tom could say anything, "Don't try to deny it, it was a true exhibition of bravery and skill, and stupidity." Tom grinned but didn't say a word. He decided to see where this was going before he decided on a position. She watched him for a minute before she continued, "All right so we have that settled. Yesterday you handed Fong his ass, and then you saved it, even at the cost of your own. You know that there are a lot of people that would like to have seen Fong lose yesterday. It would have made things very easy for them." Tom shrugged. He didn't know what to say as he didn't know the politics involved, or even the players. The old lady nodded, "All day yesterday Fong has been cleaning house. He has been tossing out garbage all day. Even his own son-in-law got shoved on a train, and I heard that he was told that if he was ever seen again, they would hand him his head. Not that it didn't need to happen, but he should have done it twenty years ago. I don't know what you did, but you did something to old Fong. He hates white men as much as he hates rats, and everybody knows how old Fong hates rats." Tom raised an eyebrow, but otherwise made no attempt to communicate. The old woman studied him closely then sighed before she spoke very softly. "I have known Ho Min Fong for more than forty years. He was almost Li's father. To say that I love him like a brother wouldn't be exactly the truth, but close enough for us. Thank you for helping him, when you could have destroyed him. Since you have arrived here you and your little whores have turned Chinatown upside down. You have helped the Won Su clan and in turn have helped others. You have only done good things, but I want to know what you are up to. I don't trust white men much farther than old Fong." Tom smiled, "I like Ho Min Fong. We talked and he knows much about me. If you are as close as you say, ask him. It might explain much that I won't tell you. You ask me why I am helping people, the answer is simple; I am helping them to help myself. I need things or I want things to be done. As I get them done I find that helping people along the way gets things done easier or faster. And my girls are concubines, not whores." The old lady laughed, "Well, if what you say is true I can only say think you, and the rest I will find out from Fong. If you want to call them concubines, then we can call them concubines, but don't try to tell an old woman what a whore is. We have already done it all before." Tom smiled but didn't press the point. The old woman quickly changed topics, "So why are you spending money like water?" Tom was a little taken aback, but realized that he was probably the topic of a lot of gossip, especially if money was involved. "Actually, I haven't spent that much and I have gotten my money's worth, out of every dollar." The old woman nodded her head with a frown on her face. "That may be true, but the rumors say different. You are attracting the attention of a lot of the wrong people. Your little bit of showing off yesterday has given them something to think about, but I would keep your pussycat close to you. I have said a lot more than I intended, and learned a lot less than I hoped. So, let's make some clothes so that I can get my share of your money." They both grinned at the thought. Tom believed that he made a new friend, and he hoped that Tzu felt the same way. When they opened the drawing room doors they were greeted by sea of anxious faces. There was almost a collective sigh as they saw the old woman's arm tightly wrapped around Tom's arm as he escorted her from the room. Tom looked at Mei, "Why don't you show the most honorable Wong Su Tzu where she can set up her things to make some clothes, and take some of my money." Tom whispered just loud enough for Tzu to hear him, "The old whore that she is." Tom saw her smile broadly as she laughed, and as she walked away she looked over her shoulder and winked at him. He smiled fondly at her and winked back. Tom watched as a virtual army swarmed into the house. Some of them carrying bolts of cloth or sewing machines and some even carrying dress making dummies. He shook his head and headed back into the drawing room with a book. He hoped to avoid the pandemonium that he was sure would be the order of the day. Tom was reading when Li joined him in the drawing room. "Thank you, whatever you said to mother seems to have calmed her quite a bit." Tom looked at Li and smiled, "We had a very nice conversation. We told each other some secrets and a little bit of gossip. She just wanted to visit for a bit." Li gave him a disbelieving stare before he frowned. "I know mother better than that. She is as hard as iron and she doesn't gossip, and she doesn't have conversations. When she wants to know something, she grills you like a pig on a spit. As much as I love her she is a tough old bitch." Tom grinned, "Don't let her ways fool you. She is a frail and delicate flower of womanhood, she is just grooming you to the leadership that you will one day be forced to take over. When that day comes you will understand the lessons that you have been taught, or you will be attacked by your rivals. Strength and power in leadership is essential, but the abuse of that power is unforgivable. It is a fine line, and she is teaching you how to walk it." He looked thoughtful as he nodded his head. He stopped at the door and sounded distracted when he said, "We will have the new outhouse and tub modifications done before we leave today. I have twenty men working on it now. Wing suggested that he burry the pipes outside, to help in the winter, and to stop people tripping over them. I am interested in seeing how well this works in the winter. The hot water might keep things working all winter, but we will dig a spare and cover it just in case." Tom thought it was a good idea and expressed his thanks. Lunch was as good as Tom had come to expect. Tom made a point of inviting Tzu to join them. She accepted and commented the Wei had been money well spent. Wei blushed at the comment, but stood a little straighter. After an enjoyable lunch Tom was back in the Drawing room with his book. That was where Willard found him. "Sir, I have noticed that the women are dressing differently, one might say." Tom grinned at him. "Yes Willard, they are. I am afraid that it was my idea. Even though only Becky and Jenn are directly affected, it might spread over to the others, if they wish to take advantage of the situation." Tom waited to see how Willard was going to broach the subject. He didn't have long to wait as Willard quickly came to the point, "Could you be a little more explicit as to what the situation is?" Tom thought that it was about the smoothest approach that he could think of and smiled at Willard. "Willard, you must understand that the men with me are highly trained for what they do, and one of the things that they have always had available was women. It has been some time since they have enjoyed being with a woman, and I felt that I should head off any problems before they got started. It was only a matter of time before they found their way into the women's pantaloons. I will explain it to you as I explained it to them. They are maids, and that is what they will be paid for. Anything else that happens is strictly up to them. If they say no then I will make sure that the men understand that it means no. However, if I catch them teasing the men, then I will personally hold them down while the men show them the error of their ways." Tom cleared his throat before he continued, "The fact that I have forbid them from wearing anything under their dresses does not affect their ability to say no. It does facilitate if they say yes, and it will get them back to work quickly. If they wish to spend the night with one of the men, I consider it their business. I will always expect their work to get done, but if it takes them a little longer I think that we can overlook the situation. I want to keep everybody as happy as I can." Willard nodded his head before he spoke, "I feel better that the women have the right to say no. It didn't feel right when I thought that they were going to be forced to accept the attentions of the men. Since I understand the situation, I agree that it would keep everyone happy, at least until one of the women happens to get in the family way." Willard raised his eyebrows at the implication. Tom smiled and replied, "I believe that has been taken care of. Mei and Su told me that they have herbs that prevent that situation from happening. I have told them to make sure they give an adequate amount to the girls and instruct them in their use. We shouldn't have that problem around here, unless it is intentional. Then we will deal with it on that basis." Willard looked relieved as he said "Very good, sir. I am glad that you are on top of the situation." Tom shrugged his shoulders before he said, "Willard, I want you to make sure that you talk to Mei. You need to be just as informed on what is going on as I am, maybe even more so. I would consider having a large supply of the herb on hand as a normal household expense. This is not a problem we need, or one that we want. Let's keep the girls safe and happy." Willard nodded and said, "I couldn't agree more, sir." Tom smiled, "There was one other thing that I wanted to go over with you, and since you are here now it seems like a good time." Tom waited until Willard nodded his head before he continued, "I know that you are familiar with the new bathing room. I have seen you in there while it was being built. What I wanted to say was that I fully expect the staff to use those facilities. They were not intended just for us. I want every person bathed and dressed in clean clothes every day. Li will be taking care of the laundry for us every couple of days, and we will pay for everybody's laundry out of the household expenses. There are new uniform clothes being made and there should be plenty for each person to have clean clothes every day. You have seen the towels all over the walls in the bathing room, so you know that there is no reason that we should ever run out of towels either. So there should be no excuses for anybody to be dirty." Willard sat and stared for quite a while as the idea sank in. "Do you really mean it, sir? You will pay for the clothes, and the laundry?" Tom nodded his head. Willard thought about it a bit more before he answered, "I have been a butler for more than thirty years, sir. I don't think that I have ever even heard of anybody that was so generous. I can only say that I am honored, sir. I will also make sure that every staff member understands what is expected of them. We will be the cleanest people in Washington, and I for one will enjoy every second of it, sir." Tom grinned and silently agreed with him. The rest of the day passed quietly, with each person getting their own things done. It was during dinner that Frieda appeared wearing her new dress and wiggling her butt at Tom. His girls weren't happy about that but before they had a chance to talk with her Tom shook his head. He whispered, "One of the others will take care of her soon enough." When they looked at the other warriors at the table they saw that she had their complete attention. They smiled at each other and let her have her fun. Wei made it very clear that she wasn't interested in any attention that didn't come from Tom. But Tom did find out that that didn't include the women. He smiled as he realized that all of the women were enjoying the womanly games. He didn't know if Jess was playing the games yet, but he suspected that she wouldn't be too far behind, not while sharing a room with Becky and Jenn. ------- Chapter 44 Tom noticed one evening, once Dinner was over, and the kitchen cleaned, Wei was never far from his side. Most nights she slept with them, but there were times that she carried his spunk away with her. When he asked the girls they told him that she went back and fed it to Frieda. Tom smiled and wished that he could watch that, but realized that there were things that he shouldn't interfere with. Later, after everyone had headed off to their beds Tom and his girls were sitting in the steam room when Willard stepped into the room. He started to leave but Tom stopped him and asked him to join them. Willard seemed embarrassed, but nodded his head and quietly sat on the bench running around the whole room. As a small stream of fresh steam constantly entered the room they sat and discussed the days' events. Tom slowly drew Willard into the conversation. Within minutes Willard was as comfortable as he was likely to get. Tom made an effort not to look at Willard and cause him any more embarrassment than he already felt. "Tell me Willard, have you found any of the women to your liking?" Willard sputtered a few times before he answered, "Sir, I couldn't do a thing like that without them feeling that I was forcing them. With my position I believe they would fear for their job and say yes, even if they didn't want to." Tom nodded his head. "I've never let that bother me. If they don't want to be with you I think that you will be able to tell easily enough. But you didn't answer the question, did you? Isn't there one of them that you find interesting?" Tom sneaked a glance at Willard and saw that he had his head bowed and his eyes shut, "Yes sir, there is one. But, I don't think that you would approve." Tom was curious now but waited and prodded with silence. Willard quickly understood that Tom was waiting. With a heavy sigh he spoke so softly he could barely be heard over the escaping steam. "As much as it embarrasses me to admit, I find that young Jess attracts me. She is so innocent and fresh, but her body is that of a woman." Tom nodded his head in silence. He had seen young Jess running around the kitchen with her full breasts, almost as large as her sister, and her tiny waist. Tom wondered if it was a family trait. He definitely found that tiny waist flaring out to womanly hips to be alluring. Willard continued almost with a sob, "I'll understand if you wish me to leave, sir. It is a cross that I must bare." Tom snorted, "Willard, if I wish you to leave I will tell you. You haven't forced her or hurt her have you?" Willard gasped, "Of course not, sir. I would never do such a thing." Tom smiled and nodded his head, "So what is the problem. Woo her if that is what you want, or seduce her if you can, as long as you don't hurt or force her." Willard was shocked. It wasn't what he expected from his pronouncement. "Are you serious, sir?" Tom smiled as he stood up and looked Willard in the eye, "Yep, 'bout as serious as ever get." Tom took the bucket that sat below the steam vent. He saw the steaming water filled about half of the bucket. He walked over and filled it the rest of the way with cold water. Tom motioned to the girls and they stood waiting as he poured the warm water over their heads and body. He used about half of the bucket on them before turning it up over his head to finish the bucket. He put it back under the Steam vent to fill again. As the four of them dried off and prepared to leave Tom nodded and said, "Good night Willard." Tom led the way out of the steam room and the women followed. Each of them smiled and wished Willard a pleasant evening. Tom and the girls put on their silk robes and moved silently through the house. Once back in their bed they snuggled down into the cool sheets. "Master, did you really mean what you said to Willard? There are men like him in Chinatown, the ones that like the little girls. They usually have accidents." Tom looked at each of them before his spoke. "Can any of you look at Jess and doubt that she has already entered her womanly time? We might be people but we are also still animals. When our bodies are ready for sex and children, they change. If she is ready what is the harm? It is her choice if she wants to do anything with him, unless you think that he will try to force her?" None of the women believed that he would ever do anything like that. "Master, you are right. I don't know why we didn't think of her as being a woman, but she has surely entered her womanly time. It is her decision and he is approaching her honorably. You are very wise, master." Tom shrugged and snuggled in to Su's delightful backside. She giggled as he raised her leg to put his cock between her warm thighs. He closed her thighs and pulled her back tightly against him. She sighed happily as she lay in his arms. It was early afternoon when Jenn stormed into the drawing room. "What is that old goat doing to my little sis?" Tom looked to see her standing there with her fists on her hips and fire in her eyes. He closed his book and set it on the small table beside the chair. He stared into eyes and waited. It didn't take long before the fire faded and she wilted before him. He slowly stood up and took her into his arms. She wrapped her arms around him and sniffled against his chest, "I'm sorry, sir, I didn't mean that. But please tell me what is going on. I love her and she isn't ready for things like that." Tom smiled into her hair as he turned her around in his arms. He slipped his hands around her tiny waist and slowly brought them up to hold her generous jiggling tits. As his fingers found her hard nipples she moaned, "Oh please, sir, not now. I can't think when you do things like that." Tom whispered in her ear, "Have you taken her to your bed?" He felt her stiffen in his arms, but his hands kneading her firm breasts while his fingers rolled her hard nipples eased the tension back out of her. "What has that got to do with Willard?" Tom squeezed her nipples a little harder and she gasped, "She has found pleasure in your bed, and she had already started her womanly flow. How long do you think that you can keep her a little girl? She is as much a woman as you are, with the right to say yes, or no. Let her experience life while you can still watch over her, and help her. But, don't try to control her or she will bolt." As Tom slid his hand lower down her waist he felt her quickly raising her dress. When his fingers finally reached her womanly mound, the hem of her dress was around her tiny waist and she was panting heavily. Tom slipped a finger into her flowing hole and wasn't surprised to feel a flow already on her thighs. He moved his sticky finger up to her protruding love button and squeezed. She moaned loudly and thrust her hips. Tom began a quick, firm stroking of her pleasure pearl and Jenn took up panting in rhythm to his strokes. Tom switched nipples and she immediately grabbed the one he abandoned. "Faster sir, I'm almost there," she panted. Tom whispered in her ear as he speeded up, "If I told you that you couldn't have this anymore, would you listen to me? Do you think that she will listen to you?" Jenn gasped and froze as Tom continued to stroke her through her pleasure. When she shivered and went limp against him he slowed, and brought his finger to her eager mouth. With his finger clean, he slipped his finger from her mouth and she dropped her dress. He sat back down in his chair and picked up his book. She was still a little winded, but the glaze was slowly leaving her eyes. Tom snapped, "Raise your dress." She complied instantly and lifted her dress to her waist. Tom ran his finger across her wet lips and up across her still protruding pearl. She shivered as the sensations raced through her body. Tom made a production of using his wet fingers to turn the pages. "Maybe I should keep you here all afternoon, just to help me turn pages." She moaned, "Oh please sir, don't say things like that. I'll be cumming all afternoon just thinking about it. I'm sure that it'll be running all the way down my legs like it is." Tom smiled at her as he said, "Yes, I'm sure that it will. Maybe one of the men will help with that. Why don't you go and tell Becky what happened, I think that she will enjoy hearing about it." Jenn dropped her dress and nodded her head. As she was leaving Tom told her, "Be very careful when you talk to Jess, and don't be angry. She has the right to make her own choices." He knew that Jenn had some thinking to do and hoped that she would allow Jess to grow at her own pace. Tom turned back to his book. It wasn't ten minutes later that Becky came to him with a cup of tea. As she sat it on the small table Becky inquired, "Do you need to turn a page, master." Tom looked at Becky and asked, "Why are you calling me master?" Becky didn't hesitate as she launched into her explanation, "All of the Chinese girls call you 'Master', and Willard calls you 'Master Tom'. You have been my master since you came to the house. Don't worry, sir, I will always remember my place. I won't ever embarrass you, sir." Tom nodded and turned his attention back to his book, "I need to turn a page now." Becky grinned and jerked her dress quickly to her waist and spread her legs. Tom pushed his finger deeply into her hot wet pussy and stirred it thoroughly. She moaned her appreciation. As Tom slipped his finger from her hot hole he ran it up over her throbbing button. She shivered at the contact. He made a production of turning the page before holding his finger up to her. She quickly descended on his finger, taking it deeply into her mouth. She showed her abilities as her tongue danced along the bottom of his finger while she sucked. As she slipped his finger from her mouth she shivered again. "Oh yes, sir. This would be a good duty for me this afternoon. I would love to help you turn pages." Tom smiled as he said, "Yes, but you have other duties to attend to, but if you happen to be passing by I will allow you to assist me." Becky grinned as she dropped her dress. "Yes sir. I will return to my duties. But I will be back often to check on you, sir." Tom nodded as she wiggled out the door. He wonder how she could walk when her ass moved that much. He was not surprised that word had spread. All afternoon women came to check his tea and offer to help turn his pages. He smiled at each one and allowed them to wet is fingers to turn his pages. Then they would clean his finger and giggle as they wiggled out the door. He was surprised when Jess came to check on him. A quick glance revealed Becky and Jenn at the door urging her on. Tom smiled at the girl and allowed her to fill his tea cup. When she had finished Tom announced that he needed to turn the page. With some silent hand motions, which he watched from the corner of his eye, she quickly popped her dress around her waist and spread her legs. Tom noticed that she was a smaller version of Jenn, all the way down to the sparse hair covering her mound. He suddenly looked again and was mystified; he heard the snickers from the doorway. Tom was looking at the biggest clit that he had ever seen on any woman. He quickly slipped his finger between her legs and felt the wetness leaking down her legs. He didn't try to penetrate her, in case she was still a virgin. When he spread her moisture up her slit and onto her large clit her noticed that her eyes were closed and she was panting. Getting a hold on her clit didn't prove to be a problem, since it stuck out more than a half an inch. He felt like he was holding a little cock, so he treated it like one and began to jack it back and forth. Just a few seconds and she grunted and dropped to her knees. Tom smiled as he made a production of turning the page and held his finger out for her to clean. She was slow to move and her coaching staff was getting louder when he felt her mouth wrap itself over his finger. He decided that she had been practicing and hoped that she would use that same technique when she had something bigger in her mouth. As his finger popped from her mouth he heard a timid, "Thank you, sir." Even though he didn't look at her, he could see her curtsey and run for the door. He heard loud giggling and sighs from the escaping group. Dinner was interesting and he got many looks from the women, but the men all seemed oblivious. Tom suspected that they were. After dinner Tom was taking the girls for an early evening walk. He wanted to see the stables and to meet Pat. He found out that there were rooms in the stables for the stable hands. As he passed the hallway to the library Peter called to him. Tom saw the look and asked the girls to wait for him on the porch. There were wicker chairs there and he knew that they would be comfortable. When Tom joined Peter and Luke in the library he was surprised that everything looked normal. He looked at them and waited for their explanation. They both grinned and waved their arms around. "All right so it's a library, so what did you do?" Peter had a hard time controlling himself. "Can't you tell? The storage room is gone." Tom looked and sure enough, where the storage room door had been there was now a bookcase that looked just like the others. It was even filled with books. Tom raised an eyebrow and said, "Since I know that the room is still there, why don't you show me how to get into it." Peter proudly led the way over and showed Tom the secret latch that allowed the bookcase to slide out. Once out it swung back and allowed them to get to the door. Tom noticed that the door had been reinforced with a steel covering. Peter handed Tom the key and showed him where he had to press to make the key turn in the lock. Tom thought it was very secure. When he looked in the storage room he noticed that all of the boxes of gold were stacked neatly. Tom nodded his head at the excellent job, but asked, "If anybody ever finds this door I am sure that they will never be able to get through." Tom looked at the smiling and proud faces of the two men. "But if they do find that door, what will stop them from breaking through one of the walls, or even the floor, or from the room above?" The two men looked at each other and then looked around the room. There were stunned looks as they realized the problem. Luke was the first to answer, "We'll fix it. I don't really know how yet, but we'll find a way." Tom watched Peter solemnly nodding his head in agreement. Tom shrugged his shoulders and smiled at the two men, "You did very well. I am proud of the work you have done so far. I'm sure that you will find something to fix the problem." The men beamed in pride at the praise, but still had the determined look in their eyes. Tom left them to their task. Tom and the girls enjoyed the walk and Tom got to meet Pat. He was very appreciative of his job and expressed many times how much he loved the stables and the horses. Bright and early Monday morning Tom and Luke attended the college. Since Tom had insisted that Luke start with the same courses that he took they were sitting in class. It was in the middle of the semester and they wouldn't get any credit for the class, but they weren't barred from sitting in the class and learning what they could. Where Ben wasn't a student it was also clear he had no intension of trying to learn anything. His presence was clear and understood, and there wasn't anybody that was interested in trying to make him leave. So it began that Monday through Saturday Tom and Luke attended classes at the college. Robert learned everything that he could learn concerning growing new vegetables. Peter worked on the house, and John and Ben made sure that Tom was safe. Willard ran the house with perfect efficiency. Willard found a new butler that quickly settled into the routine and all of the girls did any of the jobs that needed their special touch. Tom saw things moving in the right direction, finally. ------- Chapter 45: New Routines Over the months Tom learned to visit the House and the Senate. He attempted to meet every Congressman and Senator. He found that they had no reservations with meeting him and talking about just about anything, but he found it frustrating getting a straight answer out of any of them. They didn't seem to have any opinions of their own what weren't put there by others. He found that all of them had their hand out, and their word only lasted until the money ran out. His frustration grew the more he learned about the system. He learned how things were supposed to work, but rarely did. When he asked the professors about it, they denied that the system was anything but the sterling examples that they taught. He realized that either they didn't know the truth, or refused to accept the truth. He suspected the latter. He watched all new bills and laws closely and openly spoke against anything that would hurt the Cheyenne people. Even though he never referenced any Indian tribes he fought for all of them behind the scenes. He had started the practice of eating lunch at a comfortable little restaurant about four blacks from the capitol building. It wasn't fancy, but had good food and the prices were reasonable. Tom quickly noticed when the people quit coming to the restaurant. He hadn't noticed anything different with the food and wondered what was happening. The next day he got his answer. Waiting in front of the restaurant were three men. After the men spoke to people they moved on down the street to another restaurant. When Tom's group arrived the men quickly stepped in front of them. "You don't want to be eating here. There is a better restaurant just down the street, why don't you gentlemen move along now." Tom looked at the men for a moment before he shook his head, "No, I don't think so. I like the food here." Tom made to step around the man when he once again stepped in front of Tom. "Maybe I didn't make myself clear. I said move along, before something happens to you." Tom smiled and stepped back, he noticed the man had his hand in his hip pocket. He suspected what he was holding. A small movement and John and Ben had their pistols drawn and in two of the men's faces. The one doing the talking was ignored as Tom was in front of him and they knew that he could handle himself. "Is something like this what you mean, when you say something could happen to us?" The man growled, "Look sonny, you don't know who you are messing with. My boss ain't gonna like this." Tom grinned at the man, "I have a message for your boss." The man sneered at Tom, "And just what message is that sonny?" Tom slipped his knife into his hand and flipped it around so the he was holding it by the blade. "Don't fuck with me." Tom swung the knife hard and it hit him just above his ear. He dropped like a rock. Tom turned to Luke, "Pull this piece of shit into the alley." Tom looked at the other two men. He spoke loud enough for all of them to hear him. "Take these other two into the alley and kill them quietly, but make it hurt." Tom entered the restaurant and ordered his meal, and he ordered for the others as well. He knew that they would be hungry after their little exercise. Luke was the first one back, but he was quickly followed by John and Ben. John spoke quietly, "Looks like there might be a little trouble from this." Tom nodded his head and they waited for lunch. After lunch Tom asked to speak to the owner, he knew it was a family business just like in Chinatown but these people were Italians. The boy nodded and cleared off the table before going to the kitchen. It wasn't more than a minute later when Tom got to meet poppa Tony. He introduced himself as Anthony Franchelli, but everybody called him poppa Tony. Tom introduced himself and his warrior friends. "You know that there were men outside telling people not to eat here, don't you?" He watched poppa Tony's worried expression. "They are from Mister Carrone, he runs the rackets on this side of town. They are bad men. Mister Carrone wants to become my partner, but I told him no. Now he drives away my business. Soon I will have to close, or let him buy his way in. It is a bad business, my family has worked hard and now he comes to steal it." Tom nodded his head. "Would you sell me part of your restaurant?" Poppa Tony exploded, "What? Now he has somebody else to act for him? I won't sell to gangsters." Tom thought about it for a minute, and also the fact that even after poppa Tony said that he wouldn't sell he didn't leave the table. Tom thought that poppa Tony was in worse shape than the pretended. "I don't work for anybody, but myself. I want to buy a part of the restaurant to stop them from getting their hands on it." Poppa Tony looked stunned at the idea that anybody would want to cross Don Carrone. "Are you crazy? You want Mister Carrone to kill you? You do this and his men will come in the night and kill you in your beds." Tom smiled at him, "Tell me, what would Mister Carrone do if I killed two of his men?" Poppa Tony stared as his eyes got bigger, "You no kill his men. If anybody finds out it was you, he will kill you." Tom smiled, "Well I left one alive to take him a message, so I guess that he will try to kill me." Poppa Tony staggered back a step before he sat on a chair. He put his head in his hands. "You are crazy. You kill Don Carrone's men and send one back alive to tell him. He gonna send all his men to kill you." Poppa Tony stood up and wiped his face. "Okay, I make you partner. Five hundred dollars and you get half of the restaurant. Since you gonna die anyway, I take your money. I can hold out a little longer that way." Tom grinned and motioned to John and Ben. They each took five gold squares and placed them on the table. Tom motioned to poppa Tony, "There is five hundred dollars. You won't mind if I try not to die will you?" Poppa Tony smiled, "I won't mind, but Mister Carrone, he will mind very much." The two men shook hands and poppa Tony headed to the kitchen. Tom noticed a woman waiting in the door of the kitchen with an apron covering her full middle-aged figure. Tom supposed that Mrs. Tony was about to find out that she had a new partner. When they left the restaurant Tom decided to go home, he had things to plan for. He realized that he suddenly felt more alive than he had in months. He was whistling as they rode in the carriage. John and Ben could feel the same excitement. Luke understood their feelings, but realized that he had become too civilized with his exposure to the white man. He knew that he would have to talk to Tom about his feelings. That afternoon Tom called Peter and Robert to the drawing room. He explained the situation and what he wanted them to do. They grinned at him as he told them him plan. They were still grinning when they left for the stables. After they had gone he called everyone in the house into the drawing room. He explained the situation and made sure that they all understood that they had to keep a watch for trouble. "I don't want anybody to get hurt. Have somebody with you all of the time and don't leave the property without John, or Ben going with you. This man will not hesitate to hurt or kill any of you. If you have a weapon keep it on you at all times." After all of the people went back to their own things Tom sent all of the men to their beds, he expected a long night. Mei and Su woke him gently at sunset. Tom kissed each and went to find the others. They met in the dining room and Wei served them a good meal. Frieda was nervous and jumpy. Tom whispered and Wei smiled before she grabbed Frieda's hand and pulled her out of the room. John smiled because he knew what Tom had told her to do. He was amazed at all of the times he had seen things like that and he never knew what was going on, now he could see so many things that he had never seen before. He looked at the other warriors and knew that they were still in the dark. Once they had eaten they each slipped from the house and watched one of the sides. Tom took the front so that he could watch the road. Luke took the back and the stables, and John and Ben each took a side. They disappeared into the trees and settled in to wait. When they had first arrived each of them had made a bow and arrows. It was as natural as breathing, and now Tom felt comfortable with his bow in his hands. It didn't mean that he didn't have his Colt Patterson at his hip, but the bow was a silent weapon. It was a long wait. It was still a couple of hours before dawn when he heard horses riding hard. He waited and watched as they stopped on road. They didn't enter the long carriage path leading to the house. "Fighting Hawk, it's Night Owl." There was no mistaking the Cheyenne language, or who spoke it. Tom answered immediately, "Get over here." He stood up and showed himself. The two warriors quickly rode over to Tom. "We have about a half hour before they get here." Tom nodded and grunted, "What are you doing here? I sent you into town to get information on Mister Carrone. Not ride out here and almost get yourself killed." Robert answered, "We weren't really in any danger from you. We knew that you wouldn't attack until you were sure that we were part of Carrone's men. Besides it was so easy to get information that we already have what you wanted to know." Tom grunted again and shook his head. "Okay, let's get everybody together and see what you got." Tom sent Robert to collect the other warriors as they moved to the front of the house. When the others showed up Robert started his report, "It was easy to get information. He is a very well known man, and he survives by fear and intimidation. We didn't have to ask any questions really. All we had to do was listen to everybody complain about him. When they got quiet, we found out who his men were. We followed them around and saw just about everything that he had them doing. We watched as he collected men for the attack. When they started getting ready to leave we followed them, until we were sure that they were on their way here. We got ahead of them and rode hard. As slow as they are going, we probably still have twenty minutes. There are two carriages, one driver and six men in each. There are also six riders on horseback. There were two in front and four in the rear. They are mostly armed with clubs and knives." Tom thought for a minute. "Okay, here is what we are going to do. Luke, you will stay at the front door and kill anybody that tries to get in. John and Ben will go back to the woods where they were. Peter will be with me, and Robert will be down the road." Tom looked around to make sure that everybody understood. "Robert, once they pass you will use your bow and kill the riders in the rear quietly. Anybody coming back looking for them are yours." Tom watched as Robert nodded that he understood. "Peter and I will hide in the grass on each side of the carriage path. After all of the men have cleared their horses we will use our bows on anybody still left at the carriages. Once that is done, we will use our pistols and start shooting. That should drive them to the woods on each side, for cover. John and Ben will be waiting for them. Anybody that runs for the house will be left for Luke." Tom looked around and saw each head nod and motioned for them to get going. It was fifteen minutes later when the two carriages arrived. Tom noticed that there weren't any riders on horseback. He smiled at that and hoped that Robert managed to get the horses off the road before they came back to investigate. He watched as they turned in the carriage path and stopped a good distance from the house. He had suspected that they wouldn't want to give any warning to the house. It seemed to take a long time before they slowly moved toward the house. Tom and Peter quickly put an arrow through the carriage drivers. They were the only ones that stayed with the carriages. Tom met Peter on the carriage path. They took careful aim and fired together. Tom didn't know how many of the twelve that they would get before they broke, but he hoped that they could get them all. The men broke quickly. Tom called out, "Three to the right." He heard Peter call out, "Four to the left." Tom looked and called out, "Two to the house." They stood and waited. The shooting started quickly followed by Ben's voice, "Three dead on the right." John answered, "Four dead on the left." Luke called last, "Two dead at the house." Tom smiled and said, "Seems like we got them all. Peter, go and help Robert get the others back here." Peter nodded and took off to get his horse. Tom sighed, "Well, now we have to do the hard part. Why don't we just move the carriages around and pitch them in, then we don't have to drag their asses all over the place." It got a firm vote and they headed to the carriages. After the carriages were loaded they saw Robert and Peter leading the loaded horses. When they got back Tom pulled out the arrows. He didn't want to leave any clues on how these men died. If they thought it was all gun shots, then so much the better. They dumped the last six bodies into the carriages. They were piled pretty high, but Tom wasn't worried about any of them falling out. Tom looked at Peter, "Where does Mister Carrone live?" Peter grinned and said, "Not that far from here. He is a lot closer to town, but he still lives on this road. Tom frowned, "That's not good enough for this. Does he have a business in town?" Peter thought for a second, "Yes, he has several, or at least it appears that he owns them. The big one is a warehouse over on the east end of town, toward the docks." Tom grinned, "Okay, we will deliver his garbage there. I want you to ride horses and lead the carriages. When you get there, leave them right out in front. And just to get some attention I want you to throw a lit lantern through one of the windows of the warehouse. That should bring enough people to spread the word." When Tom noticed the confused looks he explained, "If enough people see the bodies word will spread. He rules by fear. If people think that his men are so easy to kill they will turn on him. The more people there are trying to kill him, the better it is for us. Plus he will have to use more men keeping everybody else under control. That means they aren't coming after us." There were smiling faces all around. Peter and Robert mounted two of the captured horses. They planned on abandoning them later. "You two need to get back here and get some rest before you collect any more information." Robert shook his head. "Most of what is going to happen will be quick. We will take turns getting some sleep and watch what goes on. If something important happens we will get word to you. Don't worry about us." Tom frowned, but nodded his head. John spoke, "Well he has made his move for tonight. Let's get some rest and see what happens today." Tom agreed but still reminded them, "We still have to go into town today. Even though we won this fight if it looks like we are afraid of him, he can turn it against us." John grunted at the idea, but had to agree with him. Tom had found out quickly that political education wouldn't happen at the college. The medical knowledge was almost as bad. He quickly found out that the only interesting things that he learned were related to pharmacology. The relationship to drugs and how they worked fascinated him. The rest was rather boring, since once you opened a person and removed a bullet, and then sewed them back up and they lived, they pretty much called you a doctor. He had been doing that for a couple of years. Some things were educational. He learned how to sew up intestines, and even a gut-shot man had a chance to live; a small chance, but some chance. He also found that treating female stress was considered a normal procedure. He was amazed that doctors took more virginities than husbands. The laughter that ensued after the class on treating female stress left him disgusted. He found it hard to believe that people would respect a doctor so much, and they could be so vile. It was this simple attitude that had Tom attending classes infrequently, if at all. Only some major item on the class board would pull him in to hear the lecture. Most of the time he could be found sitting at the back table of the restaurant. He had finally found his true calling. Luke was happy attending the college. Once he no longer had to attend the classes that Tom attended, but was free to pick the subjects that appealed to him, he found he had a thirst for knowledge. He had to admit that Geology and mineralogy were about the only subjects that he liked. He was determined that he would learn everything that they could teach him on those subjects. It was late the next morning that Luke headed for the college. Classed rarely started before Nine in the morning. Tom also headed into town to start his day of business. As Tom settled into his chair he found that a couple of the ladies were waiting for him at the back door of the restaurant. He smiled and nodded to them, as he put his ledger on the table and patiently listened. He wrote what he thought was important, and disregarded the rest. When they were finished he gave each young lady a few silver coins and sent them on their way. Some information was worth more and some less, but Tom was quickly realizing that some information was garbage, and some was gold. His clients had quickly found out that providing proof along with the information was how you earned top dollar. For those that were content to sell rumors for small change, Tom had people chasing down rumors and collecting proof on anything that turned out to be true. His lawyer, Mr. Arron Brown, was one of those that found himself short of money from time to time and made himself available for research projects. Tom tried to keep him focused on the more complex pieces of information, especially things involving real estate and finances. Tom had developed a taste for coffee. He was sitting, sipping a cup of coffee, late in the afternoon when he saw the two men climb down from the carriage. He also noticed four men on horseback and another carriage through the front window. Tom spoke quietly to Ben and he quickly disappeared into the Kitchen. Tom was quietly watching the men as they approached his table. The older man was dressed very well and carried himself with an air of authority. The young man swaggered and strutted with a contemptuous sneer. Tom quickly ignored him. The older man was a different story. He had the look of a sharp and agile mind, coupled with a determination to get what he wanted. Tom knew that look, and when he looked the man in the eye he saw the same hard eyes as his own looking back at him. Tom smiled and made a small motion. He knew that his own men would see it, and he was certain that the older man wouldn't miss it either. The older man gave a small nod of his head and quietly took a seat across from Tom. Tom smiled politely and nodded his head very slightly. The nod was politely returned. Tom motioned at his coffee cup and the older man smiled and once again nodded politely. Tom made a motion and Robert moved quickly to return with two cups of coffee. While he was gone neither man spoke, but quietly watched the other; each evaluating his chances against the man in front of him. Robert quietly placed the two cups in front of the two men, and quickly stepped back, staying behind the two men. The move wasn't lost on the older man. He never looked, but he didn't have to. He raised a questioning eyebrow, and Tom returned a small smile. The young man spoke loudly, "Do you know who we are?" Tom watched the older man flinch and close his eyes. He saw the embarrassment written on his face. "Yes, I do know who you are." Tom carelessly pointed as he spoke, "Don Carrone, and his son Victor." Tom raised a questioning eyebrow at the older man as he saw fire blaze in his eyes. "I am Vincent Miguel Carrone and this is my son-in-law, not my son." Tom acknowledged the correction, and could understand wanting to correct the obvious insult to his family. "I thought that your name was Don?" Tom was surprised when the young man burst out laughing. "You see father, I told you they were just ignorant peasant trash, and were just wasting our time." Tom saw the hard look in Don Carrone's eyes as he calmly spoke to John, "If the idiot opens his mouth again, kill him. I'm sure that ignorant peasant trash will be forgiven, since we don't know any better." The young man's eyes flashed and he moved his hand into his coat. John had his pistol resting on his forehead as the young man gulped. He slowly removed his empty hand and let it fall into his lap. As John reholstered his pistol the young man felt the sharp blade of a knife pressing on his throat. He didn't move a muscle as Robert reached around and removed the pistol from a shoulder holster. Robert stepped back and gently ran the blade around his neck, leaving a hairline thick trail of blood. It wasn't deep enough to bleed and the line never got any thicker. Tom turned his attention back to Don Carrone. "Please forgive my idiot son-in-law, and please don't kill him. I love my daughter deeply. She is intelligent, strong and beautiful, but she picks men like you would pick a horse. He's good looking, has good teeth and she rides him hard, but he is as dumb as a post. I do not want to have to tell her that he got himself killed, and I would never hear the end of it from my wife." Tom noticed a shudder run down his spine and knew the feeling. Tom nodded, "Alright, I won't kill him, but put a leash on it, or keep it outside." Tom saw the anger in the young man's eyes and smiled. Tom watched as he leapt to his feet. Nobody moved as the young man looked quickly around. Tom knew that he was searching for a weapon. He spoke softly to Don Carrone, "If he attacks can we at least beat on him a little?" Don Carrone looked at the young man standing there with his fists balled up and shaking in anger. He sighed as he shook his head, "If you think that it will beat some sense into him, I would be most grateful." Tom smiled and shook his head, "I doubt that it will teach him anything, or it would have been done years ago." With a small motion from his hand the young man slumped into the chair. Don Carrone sighed again, "I must apologize. I should have known better then to bring a boy to discuss the business of men. But, I had hoped that he might learn something." Tom nodded that he understood, and with a wave of his hand showed that it was time to discuss the business at hand. Don Carrone sat a little straighter in his chair and he looked thoughtful for a minute, "I want you to understand what it means to be a Don. In our families there is one man who leads our family. He makes all of the important decisions. It is accepted that he determines what is to be done, how and why. His word is the law, and he is to be obeyed. Our business is run like our family. We think of it as a family. If you are a member of the family you understand that there are those that you must obey and those that must obey you. The man at the head of the family is called the Don." Don Carrone cleared his throat and took a sip of coffee. "I am the head of the family. My men will follow my orders and they will die for the family, if it turns out that way. But, make no mistake; we fear no man and we will fight to the death to protect what is our own." Don Carrone sat straight and looked defiantly into Tom's eyes. Tom calmly met his gaze. "I understand how you run your business, and your family. I agree completely with how things are done, since we are similar. We also feel that we are family, and like you there is a head of the family, a person responsible for the spiritual direction and another responsible for the leadership when we go to war. Each man has followers, and each understands their place in the family. But like you, we all follow our Don." Both men stared hard at each other. They evaluated the truth and strength of their words, and the resolve that they had. Tom watched as Don Carrone nodded his head. "I think we understand each other. You have caused me no small amount trouble this day, but I don't blame you. You were doing what you had to do, just like I was doing what I had to do." Once again they looked hard at each other, before Don Carrone continued, "But, I can't let something like this go unanswered. It would make me look weak, not only to my men but to all of the people and the other Dons. If I did nothing it wouldn't be long before somebody started to think that they could take what they wanted from us, and we wouldn't do a thing about it." Tom watched as Don Carrone picked up his cup and took a sip. Tom knew that he had said what he had come to say. Tom thought it might be wise if they could avoid further death. It wouldn't accomplish what he wanted to get done, but there was a limit of what he would accept. Tom cleared his throat, as he sat his cup gently on the saucer. "Mister Carrone, Do you really think it wise to come here and threaten me? You say that you can't let this pass or others might attack you. Think about this Mister Carrone; they might attack you, but I will destroy you. I returned your men to you and sent you a message. If you chose to ignore it, that's your business. You run your business on fear and intimidation, but I am not afraid of you and you can't intimidate me. I have warned you; don't mess with me. The next time that you send men to kill me, you had better send everybody that you've got. When we finish killing them, I will be coming for you. I will burn every building that you've got and I will kill every man, woman and child that I can find, and then Mister Carrone I will put a bounty on every head that we missed." Tom looked at Robert and Luke and nodded his head. All three of them stripped off their jackets and shirts. Don Carrone saw the scars that covered their bodies. He did not miss the obvious bullet wounds. Tom walked over and put his face two inches from Don Carrones face and said, "Mister Carrone, you can believe that the thugs and bullies that you have are fighters, but I can assure you that we are warriors and we have seen battle. We will wade through your men like grass and destroy everything that you hold dear." Tom stood up and walked back to his chair and picked up his shirt. He motioned to Robert and Luke and they all dressed in silence. When all of them were once again neatly dressed Tom turned to face Don Carrone. "You may think that you own this city, but I will tell you that you don't. As long as you stay on the East side and play your little games, I really don't care. But, when you think that you can take something of mine, I will show you just how wrong that you are. Now get out, and take the possum with you." Don Carrone felt real fear, for the first time in his life. It struck when he looked into the dead and lifeless eyes of Tom. There he saw the emotionless determination of a man to kill thousands without a blink of an eye. The others had hard and cold looks, and he knew they were ready to kill and die without a second thought. The fear that settled in his spine when he looked at Tom's eyes was what his father called a man that rode Death's Horse. He could clearly see him as one of the four horsemen. Don Carrone shivered as he looked over at his son-in-law. He saw the set of his face even though his eyes were closed and knew just as surely as Tom did that he was awake. "Get up Victor, we are leaving." Tom watched as Victor jumped to his feet. He eyes now darted quickly all around him, but he wasn't looking for a weapon now. As he turned to leave Robert grabbed him by the neck and he froze. Robert reached around and casually slipped the pistol back into his shoulder holster. He then slapped him on the back and sent him staggering after Don Carrone. Tom smiled as he thought that he looked like a puppy trying to stay close to Don Carrone without getting stepped on. As Don Carrone reached the door Tom added, "One more thing Carrone, I think that you are big enough. If you try to expand any farther into the city, you had better come ready to fight. Now, take your thugs and get back to the waterfront where you belong." Tom watched as Don Carrone stepped out the door and slammed it behind him. John sighed and shook his head. "You just had to go and draw the battle lines, didn't you?" Tom grinned as he looked back at John and winked. Tom looked around and motioned everybody against the side walls. He watched as each of them checked their pistols and got ready for a possible attack. As Don Carrone made his way to his carriage he looked at the men he had brought with him. He had intended to send them into the restaurant and killing all of them quickly. He now saw the same things that Tom saw. He had a bunch of thugs and bullies and knew that if these men went into that restaurant they would be going to their death, and it would mean death to them all. He didn't doubt any of the young man's words. As he settled into his carriage he suddenly realized that Tom was young; not only young but younger than Victor. He fingered the long stiletto he found in his hand. He wondered if it was too late to rid himself of this ignorant child that his daughter had saddled him with. He wondered if he had the courage to face his wife and daughter if he did. He also wondered if he could arrange a marriage with the young man. He slipped the stiletto back into its hiding place, he decided to speak to his wife first, but either way he doubted that the arrogant fool would last the month. Tom watched the carriages slowly make their way past the restaurant and continue down the street. They all breathed a sigh of relief as they holstered their pistols. Ben quietly made his way back into the room with a nod to Tom. Tom seemed to relax back into his chair and it felt like he hadn't slept for a week. Poppa Tony and Momma Fiona were quick to make an appearance, loaded with sweet treats. Tom smiled and slowly took one and enjoyed the rare treat. It seemed to send life back through his body and he was grateful to the old couple. He smiled as he finished the first treat and told them how much it was appreciated. Momma Fiona smiled back and went to the kitchen. Poppa Tony had a thoughtful look on his face. "You know maybe I didn't do so good selling you half my restaurant. I thought that you would be dead the next day, now I'm not so sure Don Carrone is going to kill you. So I may be stuck with you; a man that Don Carrone fears as my partner. Hmmm, maybe I might have to kill you myself." Tom smiled at the old man. He wondered where he was going to go with this. They both knew that he didn't have what it took to set out to kill a man. "Ahh, no, I can't kill you now. Momma has decided that she likes you. So I will have to let you live, or momma would never give me any peace." They all laughed and Tom felt much better. He decided that keeping some candy in his pocket might be a good idea in the future. Momma Fiona decided that the men folks had wasted enough time and came back to shoo them off to work again. She went to Tom's side and spoke softly, "I love my Tony more than anything in this world. He is a good man, but he is not a brave man. I know this and I accept it. It does not make him any less a man, and a lot better than most. You are also a good man, and you are a brave man. You come and help us when we need it most. You let Tony keep his self-respect. He can hold his head high that he didn't have to bow down to Don Carrone. He would have, and we both know it. It might have killed him. But now he is a happy man. I decided that I love you like a son." Tom was touched that Momma Fiona would think so highly of him. He looked around at her four sons working in the restaurant. He suddenly jumped to his feet and grabbed momma Fiona around the shoulders and swept his other hand under her knees. She shrieked as she fell into his arms. Momma was not a little woman, but Tom was a lot stronger than he looked. He smiled at her as he sat back into his chair with her in his lap. He noticed all of her sons had stopped what they were doing to watch, many with open mouths. Tom leaned in close to momma Fiona's ear and whispered, "Thank you momma Fiona. I'm sure that poppa Tony knows what his faults are, and I am just as sure that you know them all, but don't ever tell anybody when he can hear. It will turn a good man into a bitter man. Tell everybody how proud of him that you are by standing up to Don Carrone. Only talk about the good things and you will keep him a good man." Tom rested his forehead against momma Fiona's forehead as they looked into each other's' eyes. He brought his face beside hers and brushed their cheeks as he moved his mouth directly over her ear. "I like that you will love me like a son, and I will always think of you as momma Fiona. But I don't care how many sweets that you give me I will not clean your tables for you." Tom kissed her cheek and she suddenly found herself standing by his chair. She was a little confused by the sudden movement and then she felt pain explode on her bottom as she heard a loud pop. She jumped a foot with a yelp. As she turned rubbing her rear she saw Tom sitting in her chair with a silly grin. Tom watched thunder clouds gather around her and lighting flash from her eyes as she unleashed a torrent of Italian. Tom didn't understand a single word and just kept smiling. He knew that she would run down soon, she was too good of a woman to stay mad. He watched as she stomped back and forth never letting up on the stream of words coming from her mouth. She suddenly turned to face him with her hands on her generous hips. Tom smiled and calmly said, "I love you too, momma Fiona." She stood there speechless. Tom watched as she struggled with something to say. She suddenly turned and stomped back toward the kitchen. He noticed that she stopped at the kitchen door and turned to look at him. He saw the blush on her cheeks and he saw as she went into the kitchen she was rubbing her ass again. He smiled as she disappeared through the swinging door. Tom watched as poppa Tony quickly felt the kitchen. He stopped to look back at the kitchen and then at Tom before quickly heading to the office, while shaking his head and muttering under his breath. Tom suddenly felt very good. He felt that things were starting to settle in nicely. ------- Chapter 46: Strange Events It was a few weeks later that Tom woke up suddenly. He wasn't sure what had awoken him but he knew that something had. He slipped quietly from the bed without disturbing Mei or Su. He looked around and decided that Wei must have headed back to her room. He quietly slipped on his pants and the soft slippers that Mei had made for him. He moved silently to the window, watching and listening. It was some time before he heard a faint noise. It drew all of his attention and he focused on finding the source. As he looked deeply in the night he saw a movement. He watched as the movement repeated itself becoming clearer and louder. He smiled to himself. He didn't need to see the details to know that the horses had thick cloths wrapped around their hooves. There was almost no noise from the wagon or the harness rigging. Someone had put a great amount of time into the preparation. He wasn't sure who was behind it, but he doubted that Don Carrone would have sent so few men, or a freight wagon. Tom quietly slipped from his room and walked down the hall, tapping twice on each door as he went. By the time that he was at the end the doors were beginning to open. They saw him standing in front of a window at the end of the hall and quickly joined him there. He held up a hand stopping any talk. "We have visitors. I saw a wagon with five men in it. Luke in the drawing room; Peter, I want you and Ben outside. Once they come in the house you can have what's left. Robert, there is probably a watcher by the road, or maybe two. I want these men alive, I have questions for them." Tom turned and opened the window silently. With a look Peter, Ben and Robert disappeared through the window. Tom closed the window and started back down the hall. At John's room Ming and Ping were standing in the doorway. They watched the men walk by and followed them. At Tom's room Mei and Su were standing in the doorway watching as the others went by and joined the other women. At the stairway Tom stopped and looked at the women. Su's English had gotten a lot better, but she still allowed Mei to do most of the talking. "Men come to our house?" Tom silently nodded his head. The four women looked to each other and silently came to a decision. "We will fight with you. This is our house, too." Tom considered it for a minute. He knew that Mei and Su were deadly with their knives, and he had been told that Ming and Ping were better. He nodded his head. "You four will wait in the kitchen. If they come in there you can have them. But, I want them alive. So, be cautious but safe. I don't want to lose anybody over something as stupid as this. Take the back stairs. Go, now." The four women were off at a run. Even running they were as silent as the night. Tom smiled as he slipped his knife from his belt and pointed to the stairs. They were half way down when they heard the muffled sound of breaking glass. Tom nodded to John and the hallway that he had decided the sound came from. He didn't look back knowing where Luke would be. As they moved silently down the hall they heard muffled talk coming from the Library. Tom nodded his head to John and they each stood beside the door. They listened and heard what was obviously books hitting the floor. They waited and heard more books and the obviously angry voices of men cussing. Tom smiled and whispered to John, "They aren't very good at this, are they?" John smiled and shook his head. He then nodded at the door knob with a questioning look. Tom listened again for a minute to the sounds moving around the room, and then nodded his head. The door opened silently. One man noticed the newcomers, but he didn't have a chance to say anything before John's knife handle hit him in the side of the head. One more thud hitting the floor wasn't even noticed by the other three men. Tom motioned to the odd man at the side of the room, and took the two across the room with their backs to him. Tom slammed the first man's head against the bookcase and hit the other with his own knife handle. Once the second man was quietly on the floor he turned his attention back to the first man. He was looking up with blood running from his nose, with a confused expression on his face. Tom smiled at him just before kicking him in the stomach. As he bent over Tom's knife handle connected with the back of his head. He silently slumped to the floor. Tom motion to John, and then to the broken window; they silently peered into the night and into the wagon waiting at the window. They saw the lone driver waiting and watching for any signs of activity in the rest of the house. Tom and John looked at each other again. Tom nodded his head and dropped to one knee. John pulled the curtain back as Tom flipped his knife into the air and caught it by the blade. He then drew back and threw it hard through the window. The knife didn't flip or spin, it just sailed handle first until it encountered the drivers head. He never made a sound as he fell half out of the driver's box. Tom looked quickly both directions before he pointed at the men on the floor. "Well, since they were nice enough to supply a wagon, let's get these men into it." John nodded and went to the first man and grabbed one arm and one foot, Tom did the same to the other side and they moved to the window and pitched the first of the four men out the window and into the waiting wagon. Tom smiled at the thud that the unconscious man made as he landed in the wagon. John grinned back at him. This process was repeated three more times, but they didn't get the same pleasing sound as the men landed in the wagon. After the last one was loaded John climbed out into the wagon, followed by Tom. John quickly climbed into the wagon box and grabbed the man that was threatening to fall out. He jerked him back with enough force to flip him over the seat to join his friends in the back of the wagon. Tom lightly dropped over the side of the wagon and started walking to the front. John picked up Tom's knife from the floor of the wagon box. After making a low bird whistle of the night-bird John pitched the knife. Tom caught it by the handle and slipped it into his belt sheath. Tom took the lead horse's bridle and began leading the wagon toward the stable. John sat in the wagon box and kept a watch, with is pistol in his hand. He figured that any trouble after this point sound wouldn't be a factor. As they pulled up to the stable Pat was waiting for them, but he still looked half asleep. Tom smiled at him and ruffled his hair. "You look like we woke you up." Pat grinned and nodded his head. Tom turned him around and pushed him toward the house. "Go up and sleep in the house tonight, I'm sure that your sister will share her warm bed with you tonight." Pat looked confused, but knew better than to argue, he hoped there was still some of the rice pudding left that Wei had made for desert. With any luck he might be able to beg a little. He found that he was suddenly wide awake and moving at a run. Tom and John had just backed the wagon up to the stable entrance when they heard a horse walking toward them in the night. Since it was coming from the front he suspected that it was Robert. He was surprised to see all three men leading the horse. Once they were close enough he gave an enquiring look and Ben smiled. We were having to carry ours back when Robert came walking along with a horse. It sure made it easier to just add ours to his. Tom looked at the two men across the horse and raised his eyebrow. Ben shrugged, "Only had one man on the other side of the house and none in front. I guess that they didn't think that anybody would even hear them. Robert only found the one up by the road. I don't think that I would have done it like that, but that's probably why we are taking them to the stable." Tom shrugged and dropped the wagon gate. They soon were tying up men and putting them against the wall. Once all seven of the men were tied with their hands behind their back and the feet pulled up to join them, they got a bucket of water and started pitching it on their sleeping visitors. None of them woke up without a groan or two. Tom asked John quietly, "Which one do you think will be the one to talk, and which ones do you think won't?" John took a quick look at the assembled men before saying, "The boy will talk easily. The men inside the house I don't think will talk, unless you are willing to work for it. But all of them can be made to talk, you know that." Tom smiled and nodded his head. Tom had a determined grin on his face, "Just like old times. Well, why don't you pull out the first one that you put to sleep, unless there is another one that you just don't like the looks of." John shrugged and nodded to Ben. They went over and pulled out the first man that John had hit with his knife in the Library. Tom walked over and picked up an axe handle from a barrel, with more than a few of them in it. He hefted the axe handle a few times and swung it a couple of times before he turned to the man and asked him, "Well, why don't you tell me what you were looking for?" The man sneered and spit on Tom soft shoe before he said, "You can't scare me, and I aint gonna tell you anything." Tom nodded his head sympathetically then he looked at the axe handle as he raised it and swung it with all of the force that he could muster. The sound of the impact on the man's head was almost like a gun, and just like a gun the other side of his head split and some gray matter splattered on the floor. He noticed a stunned expression of the man's face before he fell forward. Tom then pointed to the boy and waited until John and Ben pulled him out in front of the others. Tom noticed that the front of his pants was already wet, and he found it difficult not to laugh. "Well, boy what do you have to tell me?" The boy, who looked about fifteen, was already crying, "Please mister, don't kill me. I don't know nuthin." Tom smiled at him as he hefted the axe handle again, "Are you sure about that?" The boy was watching his every move with tears streaming down his face. "My name is Bobby Ray Peters, and I was just watching the road. Honest mister, that's all that I know." Tom smiled at the boy again. Tom looked him in the eye and said, "I don't believe you Bobby. You were watching the road for a reason, and somebody told you to do it. Now I want to know why you were watching the road, and who told you to do it." Bobby looked confused for a minute, but quickly realized that those were things that he did know, and if telling the man would keep him alive then he was sure going to tell him. "Yes sir, but you already know that. I was watching the road because them there other fellas was in the house stealing the gold. Mister Penny said that was all I had to do, just watch the road and sing out if anybody comes around." Tom smiled at the boy, "See Bobby you did know more than you said. You told me that you were here to steal gold and Mister Penny is the one you work for. Now how did you start working for Mister Penny?" Bobby considered what he was told and realized that it was true, there were things that he did know. But he couldn't figure out why it was important, it wasn't important to him. "Well, Mister Penny came around by Harold's Tavern a few nights ago and asked real quietly if there was some fellas that might be interested in making some money without a lot of hard work. Well, there's always a few of them fellas around and I needed money, as I was plumb broke." Bobby looked around to see if this was what the man wanted. Since he wasn't complaining Bobby decided to keep going, "Mister Penny, he got us all together at a back table and bought us all beer. Then he starts telling us about this here fella that is throwing gold around all over the place. He even told us where to find you and to come watch for ourselves. And he was right, we watched you sitting at that fancy tavern handling out gold to feller after feller, sometimes we saw them fellers giving you money. We shore couldn't figure out what you were doing, but we knew that you had to have a passel of gold." Tom could tell that Bobby was warming to his story telling. He was a little surprised that he had been watched and hadn't known about it. It irritated him a little and he knew that the life that he was leading was dulling his senses. "Well, when we met Mister Penny at the tavern he told us that he had it all figured out. He knew where you lived and where you kept the gold. He said that there was boxes and boxes of gold and all we had to do was slip in and haul it out. It shore did sound good, but I figured out that there's a lot of things that sound good after a few beers. But, he shore did seem to have all of the answers. I told him that I wasn't gonna do no thieving or killing, so he said that I could watch the road and I would get twenty dollars. I knew that if he got all of that gold then twenty dollars wouldn't mean nothing, but I wasn't willing to start a life as a thief." Tom raised his hand and Bobby shut right up. Tom thought about everything that Bobby had told him, "Bobby where is Mister Penny?" Bobby looked confused again before he struggled around on his knees and nodded toward the wall at the other men, "He's right there, the third one from the end. You mean that you don't know who Mister Penny is. He's a real important man, and I thought that with all those important men that you are always giving money to that you had to know who Mister Penny was." Tom smiled at the obvious logic, but realized that it was all in your frame of reference. Tom nodded to John and Ben. They put Bobby back against the wall and pulled Mister Penny out. Tom smiled and said, "So you are Mister Penny, and you are the one behind all of this. Why don't you tell me about it." Mister Penny looked at Tom, "Don't think that you can scare me. You aint gonna kill me. You need me alive to answer questions, so it makes your threats useless." Mister Penny grinned at him. Tom smiled back at him as he slowly walked around him. It was on the second pass that he quickly swung the axe handle and there was a loud cracking sound that came when the axe handle made contact with Mister Penny's forearm. Tom continued to walk slowly back around to the Front of the cussing man. "Let me explain how things are going to work now. You will tell me everything that you know, or I will break bones, The next one will be the other bone in you lower arm. After that will be your other arm. Then I will break the lower bone in first one leg and then the other. Then I will do the upper bones in your arms, followed by the upper bones in your legs. If you still haven't talked by then, then I will start on your ribs, one at a time. If you make it that far, I will continue with my knife and a hot iron." Tom looked around to make sure that everybody had heard him. Then he looked into Mister Penny's eyes, "Any time you want to start talking, I will stop breaking bones." Tom slowly walked back behind Mister Penny and stopped. He waited to see if he was going to start talking, when he didn't the axe handle slammed into the other side of his forearm. Mister Penny screamed before starting his story. "I met a women; she's the one that told me about you and the gold. She told me where you lived and which room the gold was in. She knew everything. All I had to do was to find a few boys to lift and carry the gold and to keep a look out. That's all, I swear it." Tom walked around to the front of Mr. Penny, "Well, that might be everything but you haven't told me who she is, or where to find her." Mister Penny pursed his lips and didn't look like he was going to answer, so Tom walked back behind Mister Penny. He has just gotten in position when Mister Penny decided to talk, "She said that her name was Dora, and she is staying at my house, at least until we get back with the gold. Tom nodded at the other men, and watched as they quickly started getting horses ready to travel. He then leaned down and cut the rope binding Mister Penny's feet. Grabbing him by his broken arm he pulled him to his feet and marched him to the wagon. Getting a good grip on his belt with his other hand he easily pitched him into the wagon. A few grunts and a few curses followed his loading. After closing the wagon gate he went to saddle his own horse. When everybody was ready to go Tom had Robert and Luke ride in the wagon. Tom rode to the house and entered the kitchen. The women looked expectantly at him and he smiled. "There are some men in the stable. We will be gone for a little while. I don't want them still here when we get back." He smiled at the hostile looks the women gave him. As he turned to go he added, "I want them to go far away and never come back, and make sure that they take their dead with them." John was waiting when Tom mounted up and they rode to catch up with the wagon. It was well after midnight and the city was quiet. Tom leaned down and spoke softly to Mister Penny, "If you give any warning or everything doesn't go exactly like it should you will be coming back with me so that I can take my time killing you. So, you had better make sure that everything goes just right." Tom smiled at Mister Penny's nodding head. Tom followed the wagon through the quiet streets, taking the turns that Mister Penny indicated. When they were close to the house, Tom and John separated to cover the front as the wagon made its slow progress to the rear and the barn. Tom and John tied their horses up by a tree and quickly made their way to the front door of the small house. A quick check showed no side entrances. They also noticed that a light was on in the house. Tom nodded when he heard the wagon pulling into the back of the house. He didn't see the woman that came out and started toward the wagon, but her heard Mister Penny's yell, "Run Dora, it's a trap." Tom grinned when he hear the rear door slam and it wasn't but a few seconds later that the front door opened and Tom and John had their hands full of struggling woman. John's knife at her throat stopped the struggles, but not before they both had been kicked in the shins at least once. Tom was not happy as he limped back toward the wagon. Mister Penny wasn't happy when he saw the knife at Nora's throat. Tom didn't wait to get any closer as he pulled his knife from his belt and threw it. The sound of the handle hitting Mister Penny in the forehead was something like that of a solid stick hitting a big rock, followed by a dull thud and Mister Penny fell over like a tree. Tom considered yelling timber, but thought it might be carrying things too far. The woman's yell brought Tom up short. "What ha ya done to my William?" Tom quickly turned and yanked the shawl off of her head and stared at Molly. Yes, the woman that was supposed to be in jail was standing there with tears in her eyes and staring daggers at Tom. Tom turned to the warriors and said, "Well, you see what happens when you don't finish off a thieving fox? It always comes back to try again. This time I will handle this personally; put that piece of shit in the wagon with the other one." There was no mistaking his anger as he walked back to get the horses. He had her not only tied, but gagged before they left the house. He led the way back through the city until they got to the harbor district. A few quick questions of some drunken sailors found what he was looking for. It was twenty minutes later that the wagon pulled up beside the gangplank of the Island Queen. Tom didn't pause as he walked up the gangplank and out onto the deck. His actions caught the sleeping deckhand on watch by surprise. He was across the deck and into the quarter deck before the deckhand had a chance to protest. The whistle blows for the surprised watch solved his problem of trying to find the Captain. The Captain was obviously the man in the short pants and rubbing his eyes with an angry expression on his face. "Who the bloody hell are you, and what are you doing on my ship?" Tom smiled at the man as he gently pushed him back into his cabin. "Captain, I am a man with a problem and you are the answer to my problem." Ten minutes later Tom and the Captain walked back on deck laughing. The whistle had gotten all hands out on deck, and without the Captain telling them any different, they were still there. Everybody watched as the two men made their way down the gangplank and over to the wagon. The Captain looked in the back and whistled softly. "What are you gonna do with the other bird?" Tom shrugged his shoulders, "It has a broken wing. I guess I could break the other one and see how well he can swim without arms." The Captain shook his head, "Now, ain't no need in doing something like that. Why that's just a waste of good seaman material, that is. I'll tell you what I'll do, I'll take the both, and you won't owe me a bleeding farthing." Tom smiled and said, "And I'll never see either of them again?" He watched the Captain closely as a few expressions passed his face before a cold hard look came onto him. "You have my word that you won't see the woman again, but the man might be able to work passage back in a few years; that good enough?" Tom considered for only a second, "Done. Nice doing business with you Captain." Tom then turned and looked at Mister Penny, "If I ever see you again I will spend days making you tell me everything about yourself. Then I will make you watch as I kill everybody in your family and everybody that you ever knew you." There was no mistaking the tone of Tom's words and there wasn't a person that heard him that didn't believe that he would do exactly what he promised to do. The Captain had a shiver run down his spine and knew that this was one man that he never wanted to meet again. It took a certain kind of person to shanghai a person, and he didn't blink an eyelash when he arranged to have a woman put onboard a ship that would be at sea for more than six months. He made it very clear what he expected to happen to her every day that she was on board the ship. He even suggested having her tied bent over the ships rail. The Captain knew that this young man was a hard man, and he never wanted to see him again. The Captain turned to the ship, "All right you lubbers, get a hand down here and help your new shipmates up on deck." Tom watched as the crew moved down to surround the wagon. They heard Molly's gagged screams as they quickly lifted her out of the wagon and carried her up onto the ship. Tom smiled at the idea that she would never be back, at least he wasn't concerned. As they were lumbering back through the city Luke asked, "What are we going to do with the wagon?" Tom looked back at the wagon and shrugged, I guess that we'll keep it." When they got back to the house, the stable was empty of all visitors and Tom smiled to see that they even cleaned up the stable before they left. The warriors unsaddled the horses and put them back in their stalls before dealing with the wagon and its horses. Tom yawned, and made the comment that there was still a few more hours before sunrise and that he was going to make good use of the time. The others agreed and followed him toward the house. ------- Chapter 47 Tom no longer attended the college, preferring to spend his time dealing with the information exchange the he had set up. It took some time to realize that by the time that the students graduated they wouldn't have as much knowledge as he did, before he arrived. With little practical experience, and armed with only what they learned from the medical books he saw them as a sorry excuse for being a doctor that people trusted. He decided that he could call himself a doctor just as easily as they could. He sat in the Franchelli Restaurant buying and selling information. At first it was all buying. Now it was as much selling as buying. He had been concerned that he would run out of gold, but now he found that his information was in high demand and wondered if he would end up with more gold then he came here with. In its own way it was depressing. Dealing with white men was a hard job that he was only beginning to understand. Tom was sitting and enjoying a cup of coffee in the middle of the afternoon when a short, fat little man walked in. He quickly sized the man up and immediately ignored him. His face was red and he was sweating and puffing as he walked toward the back of the restaurant. "Mr. Sherman, my name is Simon Greene and I would like to discuss some business with you." Tom watched as the fat little man dressed in white pants and a green top coat put his pudgy little fingers on the chair opposite Tom and pulled the chair out. His intension was obviously to sit down but the cocking of a pistol beside him stopped the chair and froze him in place. "Whatever business that you have with me, you can do it standing right where you are. I like the idea of keeping an eye on you." Tom didn't even make the pretense of looking at him as he delivered his little speech. Mr. Greene seemed a little offended, but his options were limited. "Well, yes. I suppose you can't be too careful in your line of work. I was hoping for a cup of tea while we discussed business, like civilized people." Tom looked up sharply, "Mr. Greene it might surprise you to find out that I already know who you are, and what you do. Being in the same room with you is as civilized as I care to be." Tom now had his full attention on Simon Greene, who seemed a little upset at the obvious insult. "Well, yes. I suppose so, for a man in your business. Let me get straight to the point then. I know that you are familiar with the sad state of affairs of the slave business running in the south. I represent a group of men who are trying to free the slaves and help them make their way here to the northern states, and to freedom. I came to see you to enlist your help in righting this grievance wrong done to our fellow man. Anything that you could do to help would be appreciated." Tom took another sip of coffee and studied Simon Greene. He noticed the diamond stick-pin in his scarf, as well as the diamond ring on his little finger. The thick gold chain on his watch ran across his fat stomach. Tom noticed that all of his clothes were of the best quality; silks and satins. His walking stick even sported a large ruby in the handle. Tom smiled at the fat little man. "I already told you Mr. Greene, that I know who you are. That should have told you that you wouldn't get any money from me. But, just so that you understand the exact reason for my decision I will explain it to you." Tom looked at Luke and made a motion for the books. Luke quickly flipped through the organized collection of books that contained all of the information that they had collected on everybody. Luke handed the book to Tom, who quickly flipped through the pages until he came to the one that he wanted. Tom quickly read through the information and closed the book and handed it back to Luke. Yes Mr. Greene, you represent a group of men. Specifically that would be yourself; textiles. Mr. William Judd; mine owner. Mr. Robert Horton; wagon builder and freight shipping. Yes, you three are no doubt quite anxious to free more slaves. Like the previous slaves; you will help them escape to your factories and mines. When they get here they will have no money for food, clothes or medical care. You three in your kindness offer them a job and pay them just enough to buy the food that you sell in your company store. You are nothing more than slavers; stealing slaves from their rightful owners in the south, to keep here in the north. It really doesn't matter what name you want to put on it, it doesn't change what you are, or what you do." Tom noticed that Mr. Greene started to look a little like his name. After a snort of disgust Tom continued, "Where I really don't care for your methods, since they lack honor, I also really don't have any opinion. However, when you attempt to get others to finance your obviously underhanded operations it does offend me. If you want to steal other people's slaves you should at least finance it on your own, not running around pretending to be an abolitionist. Sir, your presence offends me, and if you are still here when I finish my coffee I will shoot you on sight." Tom picked up his coffee cup and made a show of tilting it slowly but steadily. Mr. Greene quickly realized that his very life was at stake and with little bluster quickly made his way to the door. He didn't even look over his shoulder before he was out the door and waddling down the street, the warrior's laughter following him as he went. Tom shook his head and reached for a piece of paper. After writing a note he sealed it and put it in an envelope and carefully addressed it. He handed it to Luke and told him to deliver it personally to Senator John Calhoun. Luke seemed confused, and Tom smiled. "Yes, it is sometimes better to give away information, especially if it will help accomplish our goals." Luke shook his head and asked, "How would telling Calhoun about Greene help us?" Tom smiled and had a gleam in his eye, "Greene will doubtlessly find his financing from some poor fool, and then he will set out for the South. He will entice some slaves to escape, and help them. The honorable Senator for South Carolina will see this as a personal attack on his way of life and quickly enlist the help of every person in his circle of friends. They will be waiting for Mr. Greene at some point and will put an end to his expedition. We will have made a friend of the Senator and saved a few slaves for a life worse than the plantation that they live on." Luke rubbed his face and shook his head, "I understand all that, but I still don't see how it helps us." Tom had a thoughtful expression on his face as he smiled, "It will help us in other ways. I believe that with a little work we can play both sides of the slavery issue. We can sell secrets to both sides and fan the flames of discontent. If they are more interested in each other, they won't have time to worry about the Indians out west." Luke smiled and nodded his head. He was laughing as he left on his delivery duty. A few days later Tom was surprised to receive an invitation at the restaurant. He thought a long time about accepting and wondered if it was worth the risk. He finally decided that he would accept, just to see what the purpose of the get together was. He handed the invitation to John and told him to have new suits for all of the men made. Tom watched as John led the others out through the back door and wondered what Don Carrone was up to. The night of the party arrived and Tom and his warrior guard rode in a carriage to the home of Don Carrone. They were met with pleasant hospitality and shown to the ball room. Tom watched the whole process closely. It was not the first Washington party that he had attended, but it piqued his curiosity more than any of the others. He was on guard as were all of his men. He couldn't figure out what Don Carrone was up to. After the second dance with Vanessa Delante, Don Carrone's daughter, Tom began to get a feeling for a possible reason that he had been invited to the party. He was amused at the obvious efforts that Vanessa was going to, to get his attentions. She made it clear that she was after him and her husband had no say in the matter. Tom looked around and saw Victor standing by the bar. He didn't look like a happy man, and Tom thought that in his shoes he wouldn't be too happy either. The party turned out to be long and boring. Tom's suspicions turned out to be correct. During a dance with Mrs. Carrone she made it very clear that breeding was very important, and that they only wanted the best from their daughter, and that Victor was not the best. Tom had often wondered what it would be like to be a stud stallion, and even though women had always thrown themselves at him, it was usually with long term designs. This was something new. As the evening wore on, and more dances with Vanessa allowed them to talk privately, "Poppa says that you are the one to give me a strong bambino. When will you do this thing?" Vanessa looked shyly up into his eyes and he had to laugh. He knew that this was no shy flower, but a hunter on the prowl. "What makes you think that I will?" She looked up at him and smiled, "Don't you think that I am pretty enough for you?" She batted her lashes and even put a fingernail between her teeth. Then she looked away before snuggling closer to him. He had to admit that she knew exactly what she was doing in this game. "Maybe this is something that should be decided with your poppa." She looked up at him in surprise for a minute before she nodded her head, "Okay, I will send poppa over to dance with you then." She stepped back before she turned and walked away. Tom stood watching her sway as she walked and had to smile to himself. She had class and guts and he believed that she would make a hell of a mother for the next Don. Tom walked over to the bar and waited for Don Carrone. He knew that she would send him to negotiate in her place, she was fearless. Tom poured a small amount in a glass and stood sipping the burning liquid. Don Carrone joined him at the bar and splashed a bit in a glass and they stood together and stared into their glasses. "What about Victor in all of this?" It was a simple statement and conveyed as much as it asked. Don Carrone looked over at the young man slumped down in a chair with his head resting against his chest and his glass laying in his lap where his drink had poured all over his pants. He snorted, "Victor was a little girl's idea of a man, with fancy talk and flattery. She has grown up and now sees him for what he is. If he causes any trouble I will kill him myself, if the women don't beat me to it." Tom nodded his head in understanding. "She will stay with me until I send her back to you. If I am going to do this job, then I will be sure that I am the one doing it." Don Carrone swirled his drink and nodded his head, "She can be a hand full." Tom smiled at the thought; his life was filled with women that were a handful. "I imagine that she will be two firm handfuls." Don Carrone choked on his liquor but smiled when he looked at Tom. Don Carrone put his glass on the bar, "There might be some talk, she is still a married woman." Tom grinned when he met his eyes, "Then you just need to cut the throat of the one that likes to talk. I guarantee that it will stop talk like that." Don Carrone looked to see if he was serious and believed that he was. He realized that this young man wouldn't hesitate to kill anybody that got in his way. He nodded his agreement. "I will have Vanessa's things packed and put into your carriage." Tom waved his hand, "She won't need it. I will take her like she is. It may be some time before she earns the right to wear clothes again, and she will wear what I give her to wear." Tom noticed the expression on Don Carrone's face and laughed. "My women know their place, and she will know hers when I send her back to you. If this bothers either of you, then you had better keep her at home with Victor." Don Carrone looked at Victor again and shuddered as he thought that a little discipline wouldn't hurt Vanessa either. God knew that he never managed it. Don Carrone nodded and left the bar. Tom watched as he made his way through his guests and back to his wife and daughter. After an intense conversation Tom watched Vanessa make her way through the throng of people to take his hand and pull him out onto the dance floor. "Poppa says that you will be a very strict man and that you will discipline me. Is that true? Will you really be mean to me and make me do things that I don't want to do?" She looked up at him with big sad eyes and Tom grinned, "Oh yeah, I will do things to you that you have never dreamed of. I will strip you naked and make you earn the right to wear clothes. If you disobey me, I will beat your ass until it bleeds. If you aren't woman enough to handle it, then you better run back to momma and stay home." Vanessa looked searchingly up at Tom to see if he was serious. She lost the coy look and was now focusing on him like a shrewd trader eyeing a prize horse. She softly asked, "And what if I can't be broken?" Tom looked her in the eye, his smile was gone and he had a hard look in his eye that sent a shiver down her back, "Then you will be dead. Make no mistake, if you come with me I will own you; now and forever." Tom dropped his hands, looked her in the eye for a moment more, and then turned and walked away. Vanessa stood watching him as he walked away and wondered if she was woman enough to go with him. She smiled and wondered if she was woman enough not to go with him. Tom talked with John and Luke the rest of the evening. Any attempts to dance by any of the women were politely refused. A half hour later Tom ordered the carriage prepared to leave. Tom was followed by his warriors as he made his way to his hosts, to thank them for a wonderful party. Don Carrone and his wife bowed slightly and thanked him for coming. Tom wasn't too surprised when Vanessa took his arm and walked with him out the front door in full view of all of the guests. The ride back to the house was silent. Everybody had their own thoughts to occupy their mind. ------- Tom wasn't overly surprised that Vanessa had a fit when she found out that she had to share Tom's attentions with other women. The fact that they were oriental didn't make things any easier. Tom didn't waste any time explaining the facts to her. After getting a handful of hair and putting her on her knees Tom calmly explained, "Look bitch, you were the one that wanted superior breeding. You were warned that I give the orders in this house, and that I decide what is right and wrong. I really don't give a shit about what you think or what you believe. These women have earned their place here, and you haven't. If you do manage to earn a place here you will understand how things are. You might find that anything that you say now might be hard to live with tomorrow. Learn to keep your mouth shut and your ears open and you just might learn enough not to get punished on your first night here." Tom shoved her down and waited for her to start her mouth up again. He was surprised when she looked at him hard, but kept her mouth closed. Tom nodded and walked into the kitchen where Mei and Su had gone. Tom saw them in a quiet conversation with Wei and he noticed that nobody looked happy. Tom cleared his throat and watched all three of his women jump and look guilty. He smiled at them. "What mischief are you three planning?" Tom watched as Mei quickly and quietly translated his question. He had noticed that certain references were still difficult for them to understand. After a hurried conversation it was Mei that answered, "Master, we don't understand the new woman. Aren't you happy with us? Do you want us to leave?" Tom seemed a little surprised, but quickly grasped the general idea of the situation. "She is not a replacement for any of you. She will only be here until I send her home to her father. I will keep her here until she is with my child. That is why she is here." Tom could see the hurt looks in the women's faces. He knew that all of them would gladly have his children, but he wasn't ready for that just yet, at least not here. Tom raised his hand to stop what he knew was coming. "Her father wants her to have my child. It has nothing to do with her or me. It is just like breeding horses. He wants a strong stallion in his house and he chose me to do the job. It will not be my child, but his grandchild. But before that can happen, she has a lot to learn, and I will need all of your help to make sure that she learns it. Do you understand?" Once again there was a huddle and Mei was talking as fast as she could. He watched arm motions and hand gestures along with a flood of words. He saw the surprised looks on the other women followed by the confused looks. By the end of the speech he knew that they still weren't happy, but at least they weren't mad. Mei once again acted as spokesman, "What is it that you want us to do?" Tom smiled, "Well first you make sure that no man gets near her. If I am to breed her, then I want to make sure that it is me that does the job." Tom waited and watched as Mei explained what he wanted, and watched a determined expression settle on all three faces. Tom nodded and continued, "Next she will give no orders around here. None of you will pay any attention to anything that she tells you to do. If she wants something she will get it herself. You might have to show her how to do things, but she will do them herself." Once again Tom watched the conference that took place and heads shaking. He could tell that they didn't believe what he was telling them, but they did seem happy about Vanessa's status. Tom once again smiled at them, "You will have to teach her how my women please each other. She might not want to learn that, but I am sure that you will find a way to make her learn. And the last thing, for now; she will not wear any clothes until I say that she can. I want you to take her to the bathing room and give her a bath and scrub her down, top to bottom. When you are finished you can take her up to bed. Make sure that you clearly explain her status to her and what she is expected to do." Tom watched the familiar conference and was surprised at the amount of conversation taking place. He couldn't tell if they had questions or just couldn't believe what they heard. He wasn't surprised to see the smiles on their faces as they nodded their heads. Tom nodded and turned to leave the room. He was tired and was going to go to bed. He was still on the stairs when he heard the first scream and just smiled as he kept going. When Tom awoke he noticed that Vanessa was sleeping next to him. It was a surprise even though she did look like she had been through a fight. None of his women were wearing any clothes, but that as expected. He gently managed to get out of bed without disturbing any of the women. After dressing he made his way down to the kitchen. Wei as working in the kitchen and smiled when he sat down at the table. She put a cup of coffee on the table and slipped into his lap. "That woman fights like a tiger. She hits and kicks, then she claws, scratches and bites, just like real woman. She'll make a good momma; fight for her babies." Tom nodded her head. "Today will be harder, she won't have any clothes. Make sure that she goes out and gets the firewood; I want her to know that she will do what I want. She is used to giving orders; make sure she learns to follow them, too." Wei nodded her head and snuggled deeper into Tom's lap. John walked into the kitchen followed by Ming and Ping. Tom didn't even look up as John sat at the table. One of the women got John a cup of coffee, but Tom couldn't tell them apart. While she was busy the other slipped into John's lap like Wei had done, and burrowed down under his arm. The one with the coffee didn't look happy and swatted her sister on the ass. Tom smiled, but the one in John's lap didn't even flinch. The other one just shook her head and pulled a chair close and rested her head against John's shoulder. The peaceful scene lasted for about twenty minutes before a screech from upstairs caused the women to jump. Tom sighed and wondered if it was too late to send Vanessa home. There were quite a few loud words that didn't stop even as they entered the kitchen. Mei had a handful of hair and was leading Vanessa while Su had both of her arms pinned behind her back. Wei looked up and kissed Tom and the chin before getting up and starting on breakfast. Vanessa was blushing red almost to her waist, and still struggling. Tom looked things over and said loudly, "Stop!" Everybody froze in place and Tom thought it was kind of funny. He said in a more normal tone, "Release her. If she tries to run, chase her down and beat her with a razor strop." Vanessa stared at Tom, "They wouldn't dare! Nobody would dare to use a strop on me." Tom smiled and shook his head. "You heard me tell them didn't you? Who do you think they want to face, you or me? You can bet that they will turn your ass black and blue if I tell them to do it." Vanessa didn't look happy as she thought about it, but didn't try to run either. With as much dignity as she could muster she sat at the table. Vanessa looked at the Ming and Ping cuddling with John. "Do all of you men have Chinese whores running around here?" Tom noticed Ming and Ping stiffen and decided it would be better to handle this before they carved her up for fish bait. Tom casually leaned over like he was going to whisper to her, and then slapped her hard enough to knock her out of her chair. She stared up at him from the floor in shock and confusion, as the women in the room giggled. "You had better treat each of the women in this house with respect. I only slapped you, any of these women would carve you up like a Thanksgiving Turkey." To prove Tom's words every woman in the kitchen produced a deadly looking knife from somewhere on her person, and grinned. Vanessa got the point quickly, and decided that it wouldn't hurt to reevaluate what she had been told about Chinese people. Tom looked down at her, "I can assume that you are upset that they wouldn't let you wear any clothes? That is my doing. You were warned before you ever left that you wouldn't have any clothes here, unless I allowed you to wear them. You will only get clothes when I think that you have earned them, until then you will stay like you are. If any of us catch you covered up, that razor strop will be used." Tom watched her eyes grow large in surprise and he realized that she hadn't taken what she had been told seriously. He shook his head at her stupidity. Tom looked at John, "Come on, let's sit in the dining room and wait for breakfast there. I'm sure that the women have a lot to get done, and they don't need us under foot." John glanced down and Ming and Ping and whispered something that only they could hear before he stood to follow Tom into the dining room. Tom whispered, "What did you tell them?" John glance back over his shoulder before he whispered back, "I told them not to hurt her, that she will have a hard enough time with your women without their help." Tom grinned at John and they both grinned at the kitchen door. Breakfast was quiet and Tom never saw Vanessa. He didn't give it any thought as he got ready to start a new day. It was just after the lunch rush when Tom noticed Victor through the front window, slinking toward the front door. He had just slipped his pistol from his holster when he noticed Luke slinking just behind Victor and pretended not to notice Victor. The door opened quietly and Tom watched as Victor raised his pistol. It was all that he had time to do before Luke's blade rested against his neck; Victor froze. Luke took the pistol from his limp grip before shoving him toward the back of the restaurant, and all of the warriors seated at the table. Tom just shook his head as he watched Victor pushed to the floor at his feet. He got a look at the pistol that had been waiting for him in Tom's lap, and knew that he would have died before he had gotten off a shot. He was shaking as he waited to her his fate. Tom sat and considered what he should do about Victor. An evil thought crossed his mind and he smiled. "Tie him up and gag him; I don't want to hear his begging." Tom turned his attention back to his coffee as Victor was quickly trussed up. When he was neatly tied Tom turned his attention back to him. "He sneaks around like a thief in the night trying to catch us with our pants down. So I think that we should do the same thing to him. Once his pants are down, tie his feet together and his face to his knees. That should keep him out of trouble. Then return him to Don Carrone." Victor was thrashing as the warriors fought to get his pants and long-johns down around his tied ankles. Once they managed that feat, they wrestled him down until his face was against his knees and tied him in place. It left Victor on his knees with his bare ass up in the air. Tom quietly unloaded Victor's pistol and handed it back to Luke. "Make sure that you return his pistol when you deliver him to Don Carrone." Tom looked meaningful at Victor's up-thrust ass. Luke looked confused for a minute before the light of comprehension shined in his eyes. He nodded his head, "I will make sure that I return his pistol." Tom motioned and Peter and Luke each grabbed an arm and a leg and carried him out. Tom shook his head. John looked concerned for a minute, "What do you think will happen to him?" Tom shrugged and answered, "I don't know. When they get there his pistol will be in his ass, Don Carrone might just pull the trigger and be done with the whole business." John yelled, "Shit!" Tom watched as John ran for the door. He was going to tell him that the pistol wasn't loaded, but he didn't get a chance. Tom was smiling when John walked back into the restaurant and sat back down at the table. "So, what was that all about? Do you like the boy that much?" John snorted, "Be realistic. I told them to unload him before they called Don Carrone. If he did pull the trigger there would be blood and shit everywhere. It would take Pat days to get the carriage clean, and I promised Ming and Ping that I would take them shopping tomorrow." Tom laughed loudly and saw the John was becoming domesticated. That evening Tom saw Vanessa was covered with small scrapes and scratches and she even had blisters on her hands. He assumed that they had worked her hard. Mei was there to report, "Master, she has had a hard day today and I don't think that she will be ready for you for a few days. If you want to enjoy her body we can put her over the back of a chair and you can have your way with her. Tom looked to see the stunned expression on Vanessa's face. He thought that it might be fun to have her like that, and the message it would send to her, but decided to wait. "I'll wait a few days, until she is doing better. Make sure that you wash her up before putting her to bed." The talk about her like she wasn't there wasn't lost on her, she knew exactly what she was worth and was determined to increase her status. The next morning Tom awoke with Mei and Su one each side of him and Vanessa sleeping at the foot of his bed. He wasn't sure how they were determining the sleeping order, but he wasn't going to lose any sleep over it. He was just glad that some measure of peace had returned to the house, at least for him, and that was all that he was concerned about. It was the early afternoon when Tom noticed one of the Franchelli brothers leave out the back of the restaurant with a bucket. As he thought about it he realized that it was a normal thing, but he had never really paid that much attention to it. He decided to see what was happening. Tom got up to follow him, and waved John back into his seat. Tom left through the back to follow the Michael Franchelli. He watched him carrying his bucket a half of a block to the common well, where he tied the bucket to the rope and droped it down the well. After pulling it back up he watched as Michael lugged the full bucket of water back to the restaurant. Tom had just slipped back into his chair when Michael entered the restaurant and headed to the kitchen. Tom sat and thought about what he had just seen. He couldn't believe that a restaurant of this size was still working with buckets of water. He paid more attention and noticed that about an hour later Michael carried the bucket back out and from the weight he knew that it was full. When he came back in it was full again. Tom surmised that he had dumped one bucket and filled it again. He wondered if Michael had time to do anything besides play in the water all day. Tom leaned over and spoke to Peter, "Go see if you can find Wong Su Li for me. Ask him to join me for a cup of tea when he has the time." Peter nodded and quickly left the restaurant. John looked questioningly at Tom, but he just waved him off. It wasn't more than thirty minutes before Peter was back with Li. Tom smiled and offered his hand. Li bowed respectfully and then shook his hand as he sat down at the table. Tom waved Carmen Franchelli over and asked for a cup of tea. He nodded and quickly headed for the kitchen. Tom asked Li what was on his mind, "Li, do you think that you could get your family to run some pipes from the common well to this restaurant, in the kitchen. With a pump and another set to move the dirty water back outside?" Li shrugged his shoulders and looked around, "I don't know. Let's see what we have to work with." Tom got up and led Li back to the kitchen. Li looked all around the kitchen and out the windows. He saw where they washed the dishes and the three buckets of water setting there. Then he led Tom out the back door and saw where the buckets where dumped in a gutter. They then moved down the street to look over the well. A few people watched them, curious what they were doing. When Li had seen everything that he wanted to, he nodded his head. They went back to finish their tea. Li sat and thought about what would be needed before he looked at Tom and nodded his head, "Yes we can do this in one afternoon, but it will be a few days before we will have the time. Tom nodded his head and smiled. Li finished his tea, stood and bowed respectfully and left. It was indeed two days later that twenty Chinese workers descended on the Franchelli Restaurant. They all entered and bowed respectfully to Tom, and set to work. The Franchellis came pouring out of the kitchen. When they saw Tom talking to Li they come to find out what was going on. Tom smiled and told them to sit and enjoy some of the wonderful coffee and that the workers would be finished soon. Even though they kept pestering Tom he wouldn't say what the workers were doing. Momma Fiona took it the worst, she was constantly trying to get into the kitchen, and when she failed she would stomp around muttering in Italian. Tom loved every second of it. He wondered if he could convince Li to drag the job out just to watch momma Fiona. Poppa Tony was concerned about customers before it struck him that there hadn't been any customers since lunch. He went to the front window and looked out to see Luke and Ben intercepting any customers and guiding them away from the restaurant. Poppa Tony shook his head and hoped that his partner knew what he was doing. He had to admit that since Tom had started conducting his business at the back table, his business had tripled. It was mostly the important men from the capitol; senators and congressmen. His restaurant's reputation had soared and he was doing better than he ever had. Poppa Tony sat back down, content to see what happens. It was about an hour before sunset when Peter dropped into the chair beside Tom. Li followed him in and bowed respectfully, "Master Tom, I have done as you asked. We are finished." Peter nodded his head. Tom stood up and motioned to momma Fiona, as he asked Li to show everybody his work. Li smiled and led the group to the kitchen. When they arrived they immediately noticed the pump in the corner of the kitchen. It was mounted on a wooden platform and below the pump was an open drain that led to a pipe going out to the street. Momma Fiona looked a little suspiciously at the whole affair. Li smiled at her and sat a bucket over the drain and pumped the handle. Five good pumps later the bucket was full and Li lifted the bucket onto the counter. Momma didn't look impressed, but Michael was absolutely glowing with happiness. Poppa Tony looked thoughtful before he said, "This will make the kitchen better. We no longer have to wait for water, and now we have as much as we need." Tom looked thoughtful for a minute before he replied, "Poppa Tony, you are still getting the water from the well down the street, only now you have don't have to walk down and carry it back." Poppa Tony nodded his head that he understood. Momma Fiona was slow to come around. Tom figured that she didn't like changes in her kitchen. He hoped that she would see the advantages. Tom decided to give her time and let her get used to things in her own way. Tom motioned to Li and they walked back into the restaurant and sat at the table. "How much do I owe you?" Li considered it for a moment before he said, "I think that twenty dollars will cover everything. That's the pump and the pipes and all of the labor." Tom nodded his head and took a twenty dollar gold piece from his money box and handed it to Li. Li smiled at Tom, "You know; I like working for you. You are the only person that always pays when the job is done, and it is always in gold. I never have to fight about the price or work to collect what you owe me. I wish that everybody was like that." Tom shrugged and wondered why everybody wasn't like that. It only seemed honorable to pay what you owe. Li bowed and left through the back of the restaurant to collect his workers from the alley. When Tom returned to the house he noticed that Vanessa was no longer in her pantaloons. He had pretended not to notice that she had been. Su had explained that she had started her womanly time, and he thought it best to pretend that he didn't see a thing. She was a grumpy bitch for a couple of days, but it had gotten better. Now it looked like she was her old self again, but he wasn't sure that was an improvement either. After dinner Tom led the way to the bedroom. Once inside he ordered the women to strip. Vanessa just stood there since she was already naked. Tom noticed that she didn't make any pretense out of watching Mei and Su shimmy out of their clothes. He suspected that she had already had her orientation lessons. Once the girls were out of their clothes they waited for his next order. They didn't have long to wait. "Vanessa, get on the bed in the middle. Mei and Su get her ready for me." Vanessa was on the bed before Tom had finished talking and Mei and Su were right on her ass. He noticed that Vanessa wasn't putting up any argument about the girls handling her body, if anything it was quite the opposite. Tom took his time removing his clothes, and watched the girls work over Vanessa. It didn't take them long to get her panting and moaning. When Tom thought the time was about right he had to move Mei out of the way, but she didn't really mind. She even took hold of his hard cock and guided it to the wet opening. Tom noticed that Vanessa didn't even notice that he was there until his first hard thrust buried about half of his cock in her tight tunnel. Her eyes popped open and she moaned loudly. Mei had a grin on her face as she let go of Tom's cock and reached for Vanessa's hard little love button. That brought another groan from the excited woman. Tom started with a slow deep rhythm. Mei moved up to join Su, as they each had a mouth on one of Vanessa's bullet hard nipples, with Mei's hand between them rubbing her slippery nub. Vanessa had her eyes closed and a hand on the back of each of the women's heads. Tom wasn't sure if she was trying to get them to work harder, or just didn't want them to get away. In any case she seemed to have adapted nicely. Tom continued a pounding rhythm through three of Vanessa's screaming fits. He watched as she now just lay there moaning and twitching. Mei and Su had given up on her when she pushed them away. They were watching the festivities and amusing themselves as Tom approached the end of his control. When he buried his throbbing cock deep into Vanessa and fired his load she came to life again and screamed before she passed out. Tom watched as her unconscious body continued to twitch and milk his still hard cock. When he eased his cock from Vanessa's sticky pussy Mei was there to clean him off and get him ready to another round with his girls. Tom laid back and let her work as Su eased herself down onto his face. It wasn't long before he felt Mei slip his hard cock into her hot channel and they were in their favorite position. Tom enjoyed the familiar routine. ------- Chapter 48 A week later, as Tom was conducting business when Wong Su Li entered the restaurant. He came to Tom's table. After the expected bow, he sat at the table and surprisingly offered Tom the twenty dollar gold piece that he had paid for the work on the restaurant. Tom looked at the gold piece and asked, "What's the matter Li, you can't possibly feel that I paid you too much?" Li shook his head and stated, "Master Tom, since I had done the job here word has spread to the other businesses. We have been installing pumps into so many businesses, and even houses that we will be busy for the next month just on the work that we have right now. I expect that we will keep getting more jobs. I'm not sure when we will ever get all of them done. We even opened another business, not in Chinatown, but here in the white section that is just to handle the plumbing business. We have made so much money, and it was all from your idea. I had to return the money that I charged you. I can't take your money and your idea, it wouldn't be honorable." Tom smiled at the thought, but since Li thought it as a matter of honor he didn't argue. "So, you are busy making money, and keeping your relatives busy too." Li nodded his head tiredly, "I wish I had another fifty relatives. We had to take some from the other businesses. We are stretched pretty thin, and I don't know if we will be able to keep up with everything." Tom nodded his head and thought, "Li, why don't you go to the other families? Offer to hire five or even ten men, from each family. That will let you put your relatives back to work where they need to be, and it will give you enough men to keep your new business working. If you need more, you can just offer to hire more men. It will also let all of the families make a little money and it might be nice if the other families owed you a favor sometime in the future." Li looked thoughtful for a minute before he nodded his head with a big smile. "What will stop them from opening the same business once they learn how to do it from us?" Tom shrugged, "Does it really matter? It they have someone like Wing that understands pipes it would only be a matter of time before they did the same thing, and without a man like Wing they wouldn't want to take the risk. Besides, even with other families doing laundry, you still have enough work to keep you busy. It would be the same thing. There will always be another business. You shouldn't worry about getting all of the business. Besides how much business will you get fixing their mistakes? Besides they might think of something new that you can offer, too." Li smiled and nodded his head. "It sounds good, and I think I will do as you say. Tell me, how much will I owe you for all of this good advice?" Tom laughed and slapped him on the back, "Nothing my friend. I help you when you need it, just like you help me. That is what friends should do." Li smiled again and they settled in to enjoy their tea. Tom later found out that Ho Min Chu was a great visionary; he designed a permanent wash basin with a drain, that he called a wash-sink. Tom was very impressed and ordered one for the restaurant and one for the house. Of course he had Li's business install it. Momma Fiona had finally come to terms with the indoor plumbing. The installation of the wash-sink really cemented her love of indoor plumbing. When she wasn't telling Tom how great it was, she was telling all of her friends. She even made a point of bringing all of her friends around to marvel at the wonders. Li quickly found that the wash-sink was a winning sales item. He ordered all of his wash-sinks from Ho Min Chu, even though there were others making the sinks. He didn't want to give others money for an idea that they stole. The Ho Min Clan respected Li's decision and it cemented their working relationship for a lifetime of partnerships. ------- When Vanessa started the womanly flows Tom had a talk with Mei and Su. They couldn't say for certain but they suspected that Vanessa was sneaking the tea. Tom nodded that he understood and explained that he wanted her in the family way as quickly as possible. They said that they would keep a closer watch on her and make sure that she got none of the tea. Tom decided to help them out a bit also. When Vanessa was out of pantaloons again, she found that things had changed. Each morning when the women sat around and drank their tea, Tom took her to the drawing room and bent her over a chair and planted a fresh load of baby juice in her hungry womb. It was a couple of days before she even realized that she didn't have a chance at any of the tea. Each morning Tom filled her up with baby batter and each night he left a fresh load to soak until morning. The other women felt that Vanessa was getting everything that they wanted, but weren't lucky enough to get. Tom let her start wearing clothes a week after the new routine stared. Strangely Vanessa didn't care if she had clothes or not. Once she thought about it, she realized that it was the attitude of everybody at the house. They didn't treat her any differently when she didn't wear clothes then when she did. She hadn't really thought about it in a long time. She also realized that she missed the freedom of not wearing clothes. She wasn't used to the Chinese clothes that Tom gave her to wear, but she knew better than to complain. She also noticed that she quickly got used to the feel of the silk on her skin. After another couple of weeks of the new routine she wasn't surprised when the time for her flow to start came and went, and she knew that she was with child. She didn't know if she was happy or not. She had hoped to drag this out for as long as possible, but she was happy that she would have Tom's baby. She knew that Tom would hear very shortly, and she began waiting for the news that she would have to leave. She made a comment to Tom that she would have to get a Chinese maid, just so that she could keep in practice with the new things that she had learned. Tom looked at her funny for a minute before he laughed. He arranged to have Vanessa stay with Becky and Jenn that night, and the next morning she had a big smile and told Tom that it was interesting that things were more wide spread than she had thought. Tom smiled and knew that she wouldn't have too much trouble finding the type of maid that she would be looking for. At the end of the month Tom sent a message to Don Carrone that he would need to bring some clothes to his house when he arrived to pick up his daughter. Don Carrone and his wife, along with ten riders, arrived just after dinner one night. Vanessa knew as soon as she saw them that her time had come. Mei and Su took the clothes and helped her dress. At the door Vanessa kissed Tom and the girls before she left with her parents. Tom wondered what had happened to Victor, but thought it best not to rattle any skeletons. He didn't feel that he really wanted to know anyway. ------- Tom was glad when Vanessa left the house. It felt good to get back to a quiet existence, at least more of a normal routine. Tom wasn't expecting the summons when it came, but realized that it had probably been put off until Vanessa left. Tom went to see what Willard wanted. He wasn't surprised that the message had asked to meet in Willard's rooms. Tom noticed that the bookcase had been filled with books, and Willard's chair looked comfortable enough to sleep in. Tom smiled at his manager, "Well, Willard, it looks comfortable in here." Willard smiled and replied, "Yes sir, it truly feels like home to me sir, which is one of the things that I wanted to speak to you about." Tom nodded and sat in one of the chairs, making sure not to sit in Willard's personal chair. After he was settled he nodded to show that he was ready. Willard paced for a minute then moved to his chair and sat, and cleared his throat. "Sir, now that Mrs. Delante has left I wanted to speak to you about a personal matter." Tom nodded and waited for Willard to continue. Willard sat stiffly with had hands resting in his lap, but his voice was as strong ever. "Sir, I know that this might come as a surprise, but I wanted to discuss getting married with you." Tom was more than surprised, he was stunned. "Do you mean that you and Jess?" Willard looked surprised for a moment, and then he was positively shocked. "Ah, no sir. That was over some time ago. I'm surprised that you didn't hear. Is that a problem sir?" Tom shook his head and shrugged his shoulders, "Nope, not for me, what happened? Last I heard you two were burning up a mattress." Willard actually blushed before he cleared his throat, "Well, yes sir, that did happen for a bit, but since then we decided to move on. Actually sir, she is a beautiful girl, but she is just that; a girl. I found that we had nothing that we could talk about. She doesn't have any knowledge about current events, or politics or even life outside of this house. I realized that the only thing that we did have in common was burning up a mattress. I found it depressing, sir." Tom listened carefully before he nodded. Tom studied Willard carefully, "You have obviously found a woman that you can talk to. Why don't you tell me about her, and how you met?" Willard relaxed visibly, "Yes sir, her name is Melody. I was attending a political luncheon last month. One of the women at my table caught my attention with her brilliant insights. We struck up a conversation and we have been spending a considerable amount of time together since. She is the head maid for Senator Radcliff. She is a very beautiful woman, and as delicate as a spring flower." Tom watched Willard's expression soften and he looked almost disgustingly sappy. Tom slowly shook his head as he watched the change come over Willard. He could see this delicate flower put a ring through his nose, and brand him before he even knew what was happening. He knew that Willard was not prepared to handle the woman that he just described. Willard didn't notice Tom's expression. He just went on happily daydreaming about his perfect woman. Suddenly he snapped out of it. "Ah, yes sir. That brings me to the point of our conversation. I was wondering if it would be acceptable for me to bring my wife into the house? I am sure that there wouldn't be any problems, sir." Tom looked at Willard hard. He wondered what he could say that would change his mind. After some thought, he realized that he would never be able to say anything to change his mind. "Willard, in the months that we have been here you have provided a wealth of knowledge, and experience for all of us. You selected James, as your replacement. He has been satisfactory, but not in your class. The entire house has the utmost respect for you. You are a strong and caring man that all of us have come to love as a brother; we see you as family." Willard was sitting straight in his chair and you could tell that he liked the idea of family. "That is why I will tell you what I don't want to tell you. If you want to bring your wife into the house, then she will be welcome, but if you do you will be leaving before you know it." Tom saw the look and quickly raised a hand to stop what he knew Willard was going to say, "No, Willard. Nobody here will ask either of you to leave. She will make you leave. She will quite easily make it a choice of your job, or your wife. She will not allow you to stay here with the women acting like they do, and I won't allow her to change them to her liking." Tom saw that Willard didn't believe him, but there was something that said that he had his complete attention, "If you believe that she is a delicate flower, then you have been misled. No woman is a delicate flower. They are as hard as iron and supple as leather. They have the courage of a lion, and the shrewdness of a fox. They use tears like a club. No, my friend, a woman is never a delicate flower." Tom watched as Willard worked hard to get past his comments, "But sir, she isn't anything like the women in this house. She was raised to be a companion to a fine lady and when the lady married, she took over as head maid. She has always been protected and cared for. She would never be able to do anything like what you suggest." Tom shook his head. It was obvious that he had his work cut out for him. At least as long as Willard was willing to listen. "Willard, I won't try to convince you that you are wrong. But, think about one thing for me, as a companion to a woman that got married just what did she see and do? As the head maid what has she had to do to keep that job? You think that she never fired anybody? You think that she doesn't have the backbone to do the job, or the fire in the stomach to keep it? You met her at a political rally, and she was there voicing her opinions, and you think that she is a wallflower. Every woman on this Earth knows what she is, whether they will admit it or not. You had better figure out what that is before you let this woman brand you. Go and talk to every woman in this house. Tell them I sent you and I expect them to answer your questions. Ask them what they are and ask them why they think so. Then tell them about this delicate flower, and see what they tell you." Tom leaned back and waited. Willard was lost in thought. Tom knew that he didn't want to have his opinion of his love challenged, but he knew Willard. Willard was a tough and honest man. He would have to know the truth, even for himself. It was only a matter of time before he forced himself to do what Tom had told him to do. Tom saw this and rose to leave. He would allow him to come to grips with things in his own time. Tom silently closed the door with Willard still lost in thought. That night Tom told Mei, Su and Wei what Willard was up against. He asked them to tell Willard some of their secrets and help him to protect Willard from the woman that had spun the web of deceit that Willard was snared in. They all said that they would do it, but they didn't look too happy about telling their secrets. Tom didn't notice how soon Willard talked to the girls, but he did notice a change in him over time. He also noticed that he didn't mention anything about a marriage. Tom hoped that he hadn't scared him off, but decided to let time take its course and see where he ended up. Tom focused on business. ------- Chapter 49 It was about a month later and well into spring when Tom received another strange visitor. It was the middle of the afternoon and Tom had just learned some interesting things from a Congressman's butler. He might have retired after Tom paid him. Tom was writing in the File books and attaching documents to the pages when he noticed a woman standing by his table. He nodded to the chair across from him and didn't bother to notice when she sat. When he finished he looked up and took stock of who he was sitting with. She was young and very pretty, with light blonde hair and clear sparkling blue eyes. She had a good figure with a tiny waist, but he wasn't sure how much was corset and how much as her. Tom sipped his coffee and watched her as she met his eyes. He thought it unusual since most women never look a man in the eye, at least until they knew them. Tom nodded his head and spoke softly as he had found that his business worked best if conducted in near whispers. "What may I do for you?" Tom waited as he noticed that she seemed to become nervous now that the time to talk about her visit was at hand. After a moment or so of wringing her hands she seemed to find her courage and once again looked him in the eyes before she spoke, "My name is Janet Thurston. I was Senator Thurston's daughter." Tom looked at her and wondered if that was supposed to tell him everything about her. He considered it for a moment and decided that she was used to people that knew all about her before she met, or at least knew all about her father. It was a statement that she wasn't used to dealing with common people. Tom thought that she needed an education, "Where that may be very important where you come from, I can assure you that Senators are a dime a dozen in my business. If you want me to know who you are and what this is about, then I suggest that you tell me, and not assume that I know anything about what is important in your life. Not only do I not know, but I really don't care either. Unless it affects me, your life is your own affair." Tom watched as his words sank in and registered. He surprised look was enough entertainment for the whole afternoon. Tom smiled and offered her a cup of coffee. After her surprise her eyes grew hard again and he figured she had seen a few hard times. She nodded her head and Tom motioned to Michael for another cup. Since Tom had the pump installed in the kitchen, Michael had made Tom's service his personal priority. Tom never had to look for Michael as he was always close by. After pouring a cup of coffee, Tom leaned back and waited for the lady to speak. She realized what he was waiting for and steeled herself. "Mr. Sherman, I have heard a lot about you, and I was hoping that we could help each other. You see, I have a problem. My father died recently and left some considerable gambling debts. To guarantee his markers he put up Magnolia House as collateral. The problem is that the gambler, a Mr. Belamy wants his money now. Right now we are planting and until the crops are sold we won't have the money. He plans to take Magnolia House for the debt, and I can't let that happen." Tom looked at her and even though he didn't have a good grasp of the whole situation, he did understand the general idea. "You will have to forgive me Miss Thurston, but what is Magnolia House and just where is it?" He could tell that if he had asked what a moon was, it wouldn't have been any more of a shock. She looked frustrated but she took a deep breath and slowly explained, "Mr. Sherman, Magnolia House is our plantation, in the great state of Virginia. Senator Thurston was the Senator for Virginia; I would think that you knew the most obvious things, in your line of work." Tom smiled at her, "Miss Thurston, it might be a surprise to you, but in my line of work I don't meet every Senator and Congressman. Actually I don't care to meet any of them as I personally find them repulsive. As far as Magnolia House is concerned, it's just another plantation in the South and I don't see where any of this concerns me." Janet Thurston bristled before she wilted again. "You're right Mr. Sherman, it has nothing to do with you, but it has everything to do with me. I need to borrow money to pay my father's debts before this cheap gambler can take Magnolia house from me. That is why I came to see you. I heard that you have money, and you might loan me the sum I need." Tom frowned. He knew that this type of thing was bound to happen, but he wished that it wouldn't. "Why haven't you gone to the bank?" It was an obvious and simple solution to her problem. He watched as she sat up a little straighter before she answered, "I assure you Mr. Sherman, that was the first place that I did go. The problem is that as a woman, I can't borrow money against Magnolia House. Without collateral they won't loan me any money, and as a woman I can't own land, so I have no collateral." Tom considered the situation. It was not something that he wanted to get involved with, but there was something curious about the whole thing. "So, if you can't own land, you have no collateral to offer me either. Why would I want to loan you any money?" Tom watched her as she considered his words. He could tell that it didn't disturb her to have the obvious shortcomings to her plan pointed out, and he wondered what she had in mind to get around the situation. She took a deep breath before she continued, "Mr. Sherman, even though I can't own land, I assure you that I do own Magnolia House. My father expressly made arrangements in his will. I am the one that owns Magnolia House, but not for long if I can't raise the money to buy back father's markers." Tom shook his head and knew that he was missing something. He figured that she hadn't explained things correctly, but since he didn't have anybody else waiting, it couldn't hurt to play along a little farther. "Miss Thurston, you are obviously not telling me things that I should know. So, unless you want to end this here, right now, quit stalling and tell me what I need to know. We could play this game all afternoon and still be no closer to the truth than we are now." Tom saw her visibly wilt and waited for her to get on with her story. "Very well Mr. Sherman, you obviously have no Christian charity, since you knew that there were things that I didn't want to tell you. I shall start at the beginning. My father was killed in a poker game, surprisingly by the same Mr. Belamy that now threatens me. My father accused him of cheating and Mr. Belamy shot him. A gun was found by my father, but my father never carried a gun. He owned many guns, but never carried any of them. If he were going to carry one, it would have been one of them, not one that I had never seen before. In short my father was murdered." Tom waited in silence as Janet Thurston took a sip of coffee and composed herself, "My father left Magnolia House to me, but as we discussed I can't own land, so my father arranged that the transfer of ownership passed to the man that I marry. Only by marrying me could anyone get Magnolia House. Magnolia House is easily worth ten times what that thief Belamy is trying to steal it for. But I can't do a thing about it, unless I can raise the money." She looked at Tom and he knew that there was a lot left unsaid. He sat and continued to watch her as he sipped his coffee. She quickly realized what he was doing and why, "You won't even leave me my dignity will you?" Tom just looked and waited. It was her idea to come here and she had to face her own demons. She dropped her head to look at the table, her voice was very soft and Tom had to listen closely. "I went to a number of men that I thought that I could trust, for help. Some of them made it obvious what they wanted from me, to help me. Them I slapped and left. The one that was the worst was Congressman Richmond. He promised help and even to marry me, but he quickly made a stipulation that he wanted to try the merchandise. I guess like most women that get an offer of marriage, I didn't see the harm in getting a little ahead of things. Then he showed his true colors and said that the merchandise was unacceptable, and that the deal was off. He took away my hope and everything else that was important to me. I would destroy him, if I could." Tom nodded his head. "So, just what is the offer that you are bringing to me? I pay your father's debts and you guarantee payment how?" Tom waited as she struggled with his question. "Mr. Sherman, the only way I can guarantee your money it to marry me. I know that I am damaged goods and it isn't much of a bargain for you, but you would still get Magnolia House. I wouldn't expect you to really be a husband; after the debt is paid you can take off and forget I ever existed." Tom watched her closely and saw the tension back in her body and knew that if he could see her hands she would be wringing them. Tom sat forward and looked at her hard she shrank back from his look. "Let me state things clearly, just so that we both know exactly what we are dealing with. You are a whore and you are offering to sell me your body for the price of the debt of your father. Along with your body I get the Plantation; Magnolia House. Once I own it, I can do whatever I want with it and you." Tom watched as she struggled to control herself. He knew that she wasn't used to being treated rough, and he considered his statement brutal in its own way. He watched as she got herself under control and then as she wilted again under the pressure of the truth. "Yes Mr. Sherman, that is pretty accurate; I am a whore selling myself. And once you get control of Magnolia House there will be little I can do to stop you from doing anything that you like. But, my reputation isn't as bad as I led you to believe. As my husband, I can still get you into many Washington parties, that could help your business." Tom smiled at her as he reached into his case and removed a handful of cards. He pitched them on the table between them, "Here is the usual invitations for this month. I rarely go to any of them, but sometimes I will send one of my men, just to apologize for my absence. You see, I found that attending such parties, they try to turn it into a business meeting. I prefer to conduct my business here, so I avoid the parties. So, you see your reputation doesn't mean much to me, either good or bad." Tom collected the invitations from the table, and even a few from her hands as he put them back into his case. As he sat back he looked at her again, "You still haven't told me just how much you cost. How much will it cost me to own you?" He saw that she didn't bristle this time, and assumed that she had come to terms with her own situation. "It's almost a thousand dollars, Mr. Sherman. I might be cheap, but Magnolia House isn't. It's the pride of Dearing, Virginia; more than twenty-five hundred acres of some of the most fertile land in Virginia. Even taking into account that you will be getting me, you are getting a good bargain." Tom smiled and shook his head, "I'll let you know tomorrow, at this same time. If you are still interested, then I will see you tomorrow." Tom watched as she nodded her head and got up to leave. He noticed that she didn't look back as she left the restaurant. He wondered if she would come back the next day. Tom motioned to John to join him at the table. Once he was seated Tom made a motion that he had a few things for him to do. John had gotten used to the few things and had started carrying a small notebook that he kept notes in. He had worked out the system over time and when Tom made his special hand motion, he knew it was for him to start making a list. "John, I want you to take Luke with you and go to the bank. I want you to get a thousand dollars, not in gold but in bank notes." John raised his eyes at this, as Tom always preferred to work in gold. Tom saw the look and grinned. "Next I want you to visit with Aaron Brown and explain that you will be buying some gambling markers from a man named Belamy, for the late Senator Thurston. Make sure that he understands that I want a letter that says that once you pay the markers, that Belamy releases all claim against all of Senator Thurston's property. One of the markers should carry the name of Magnolia House on it. After you find this rat, make sure that that you collect all of the markers. He managed to shoot the Senator in self-defense even though the Senator never carried a gun. I would watch him closely, and I wouldn't trust anybody that was with him either." John finished writing and nodded his head. "Think that you can get along with Luke watching your back? I think that I would rather have Ben watching mine when I go to pay this man a call." Tom nodded his head, "Sounds like a good idea. Luke can keep me company while you are gone. I would like for you to handle this, this afternoon." John shrugged and nodded his head. He motioned to Ben and they started for the door, "Tom, if Belamy tries something stupid, does that mean that we get to kill him?" Tom grinned back at him and nodded, "Only if you have the markers in hand, or know that they are on his body." John looked thoughtful for a minute before he shrugged, "Sounds fair to me." Ben just grinned. He could see that today was going to be a lot more excitement then he usually got. Tom motioned to Luke, "You get to babysit me this afternoon. John and Ben went to see how much trouble they can stir up." Luke grinned at him and asked, "How come they always get to stir up the trouble? Some of us are really feeling left out around here." Tom thought about it for a minute, "You really want to stir up some trouble?" Luke grinned and nodded his head. Tom smiled at him, "Okay, I will give you a chance for a little trouble of your own. See how much garbage you can get on a Congressman name Richmond. I really don't care what it costs, as long as you don't act stupid. Then you can have the pleasure of paying Mr. Richmond a visit. You can tell him about all of the bad things that will soon happen to him. I want as much of that garbage as possible in the newspaper, and then I want all of his family and friends to know. If there is anybody that he does business with, make sure they know what type of person that he is as well." Tom picked up his coffee and took a sip as Luke sat looking wide eyed. "We haven't even looked into him yet, and you act like we already have a mountain of garbage on this guy. Why do you think we will find anything? He could be a saint." Tom grinned, "Not with what I heard about him today, he's no saint." Luke smiled and nodded, "He must have really done something to piss you off." Tom thought for a minute before he answered, "Not really. He made a promise and took advantage of somebody, and then he broke his word. A person like that must have a full graveyard in his closet. I prefer to have politicians that keep their word when you buy them. It makes for doing business a little easier when a politician stays bought." Luke nodded that he understood, "But, I was supposed to babysit you this afternoon." Tom smiled and promised not to cause any trouble and stay in the restaurant. Luke grinned and waved as he left and wondered if Tom would keep his word. Tom was seeing a ladies maid out the rear of the restaurant when John and Ben returned to sit heavily into their chairs. Tom looked inquiringly at them. John shrugged and said, "You were right about that snake, and the men that were with him. They didn't want to redeem the markers. Seems they had plans to move to Virginia and take up the life of rich plantation owners. They were only waiting until it was closer to harvest time to make their move. They were willing to take the money, but they didn't want to hand over the markers." Ben reached for the coffee and poured two cups for him and John. After a sip John continued, "I had thought that we might encounter a few problems so I dropped around to the constable's office and asked one of them to go with us. Belamy flatly refused to sign the documents, but the constable insisted. The constable was looking over the documents and holding the money when they struck. I'm afraid that the constable was wounded, but Belamy and his friends won't be troubling anybody else from now on. The constable was a little pissed about the whole thing and gave us the documents, markers and the money back; it wasn't like he could get away with keeping it." John put the documents and markers on the table as Ben took out a stack of bank notes and put them beside John's stack. Tom nodded his head and put the documents and markers in his case and the money in his wallet. As he thought about it, now it looked like either way he would own the Magnolia House. They didn't see Luke the rest of the day and he didn't come back that night. It was midmorning before he quietly slipped into the restaurant. He sat across from Tom and tiredly put his head in his hands. Tom looked at him and waited. Luke cleared his throat and reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a fair sized stack of papers. "Seems that you were right about that Richmond scum, I really didn't think that he was any worse than any of the others. But, the more I talk to people, the more I found out. Last night I had people lining up to tell me about Richmond. His own household staff told me things that you wouldn't believe and some of them had proof." Luke tapped his finger on the pile of papers. Luke shook his head, "People like this sicken me Tom. How do they keep living when everyone seems to know what they are doing? Nobody does anything. Are we the only people that know what right and wrong is, or are we just the only people that care?" Tom looked at Luke and thought for a minute. "No Luke, everybody knows what right and wrong is, but these people have never been able to fight against it. They are scared and don't know how to do it, or they don't think that one person can make a difference. There are a lot of reasons, but it all comes down to how they were raised. We were raised by people that believed in right and wrong, and when we saw something that as wrong we opposed it. They saw that the people that opposed wrong lost, or were killed, or driven out by powerful men. It is a sad thing to admit, but it is not their fault; you can only be beat down so many times before you quit getting up. They teach this to their kids and it is something that is learned. Powerful men believe that right and wrong don't apply to them, because they can buy their way out of it." Tom looked around the table and found that everybody was listening, "That's why we do what we do. We can't force the law to do its job, and the rich buy the law like a cheap horse. So we buy information on every one of their dirty deeds. We sell it to the others that want to use them and control them. They use the information to control each other. They sell us information about their own mothers for money, and we sell it back to them. But, if there is a reason we will use it like a club and beat them to death with it. Richmond did something that I didn't like, and I told Luke to dig up as much garbage as he could get. Now, I find out that he is worse than I thought, but it doesn't change the facts. He will still be taken down by his own deeds." Tom looked around the table and saw the heads nodding. Tom looked at Luke and saw a fire burning in his eyes, "Do you still want to stir up a little trouble with Richmond, or would you rather I call on him myself?" Luke shook his head almost violently, "No, he is mine. You said I could have him." Luke realized that he had answered a little forcefully, maybe even too much for the situation. He took a deep breath and said, "Sorry, I learned a lot about him. When I started I didn't know what to expect, but I didn't think that there were people like this walking around. I thought that they made you shoot rabid dogs, and that is the only way I can describe him. No, the more I learned, the worse he got. I have to get rid of him. The things I heard will bother me, if I don't." Tom nodded and looked around the table. "When you go to talk to him I want to take Ben with you. Even rats fight when they are cornered." Luke grinned a feral smile, "I sure hope so." Everybody laughed. Tom smiled, "Why don't you get some sleep and talk to him in the morning." Luke shook his head, "Nope, I'm gonna get something to eat, and then I will put an end to this today; before he has a chance to ruin anybody else." Tom shrugged and nodded. Ben smiled at the prospect of excitement two days in a row. Ben's excitement didn't live up to his expectations. Richmond cowered, cried and begged. It almost made the warriors sick to watch. Luke smiled and told him that they were going to the newspapers and he suggested that if he wanted to avoid the ruin to his family he would do the honorable thing and kill himself, if he had the guts. They hadn't left the house before they heard a shot. Luke wondered if he really had the guts to do it. The butler rushed off to see what had happened, and came back to say the Mr. Richmond had killed himself. Luke refused to believe it, unless he looked for himself. He was surprised, but guessed that he was more afraid of ruin than a bullet. Luke headed to the house and some sleep, and Ben carried news back to the restaurant. Tom closed the file on Congressman Richmond. At exactly two o'clock Janet Thurston entered the restaurant. Tom wasn't surprised to see her. She took a seat across from Tom. "I haven't changed my mind. I am here for your answer." Tom looked at her before he calmly asked her, "Do you have a problem if there are other women?" Janet seemed surprised for a minute before she met his eyes. "No, I'm not bringing much into this personally, so I will understand if you want to see other women." Tom knew that she didn't understand, and that was unacceptable to him. He looked at her hard and said, "Listen to me carefully and pay attention. You will be my wife as far as the world is concerned, but above that you will be my whore and I won't treat you any better than that, ever. I will use you any way that I want, and if I get tired of you I will throw you out on your ass. I will have other women, who will also do as I say, and you will get along with them or I will tie you naked in front of my house until you can get along with them. If you have a problem with any of this, you had better get out of here now; because it won't get any easier, or any better. Do you understand exactly how you fit into my life?" She took a deep breath and nodded her head. "I came here to sell myself, and you can't scare me away. I will do what I have to do." Tom looked at her and shook his head, as he wondered what is was that attracted women like this to him. Tom nodded to John before he stood up. When he spoke he made sure it was loud enough for both of them to hear him. "John, we are going out for a while. Get the carriage ready." Tom held out his hand to help her to rise and escorted her out the front door. They waited for a minute for the carriage to turn the corner and stop in front of them. Tom saw that Ben was driving and John was on his horse. Ben asked, "Where to boss?" Tom smiled at Ben's attitude and wondered who the act as for, the woman or him. "Take us to see Wong Su Li." Tom sat back and made himself comfortable. Janet didn't have a clue what was going on, but followed Tom's example and sat back beside him. ------- Chapter 50 Janet had never been to Chinatown, as it wasn't the type of place for respectable women to go. She was intrigued by all of the colors and people, and secretly thought it was a wonderful place and hoped that they would come here often. She was confused when some people stopped what they were doing and bowed as the carriage went by. She saw that Tom pretended not to notice or acknowledge it. She wanted to ask but knew that since he was ignoring it, it wouldn't be proper. When they stopped in front of one of the businesses Tom told her to stay seated as he stood and climbed out of the carriage. She watched as a Chinese man came out of the building and bowed to Tom. She was surprised when Tom bowed back to him. Then they shook hands and Tom began to speak. She couldn't hear what he was saying, but she did notice that the Chinese man seemed surprised and she blushed as he looked her over quite closely. When he turned his attention back to Tom he nodded his head and said something. She then watched as both men got into the carriage. The Chinese man sat across from her and just behind the man driving. Once they were settled Ben shook the reins and the horses started walking. Li stood and spoke to Ben quietly and made some hand motions as he spoke. Ben nodded his head a few times and then Li sat back down and turned all of his attention on Janet. She had never felt so exposed in her life as she did with him looking at her. She was surprised when he spoke flawless English, "Let me congratulate you on your coming wedding. Tom is a great man, and very well respected in Chinatown. You might have noticed the people bowing as we pass. That is to show respect to Tom. He has done many things that have helped many people here in Chinatown, and his respect grows with each thing. As his wife you will be as deeply respected, but everything that you do will also reflect on him. I think that you are a very lucky woman, as I know many women who would kill to be sitting where you are now." Tom snorted and looked away, but Janet realized that the man was telling her something very important. She vowed never to be an embarrassment to him. They rode in silence for a few more minutes, until Ben stopped the carriage in front of another business. Since Janet couldn't read Chinese she didn't have a clue what it was, but she wasn't worried. Tom stood and motioned to Li, who got out first. Tom turned and offered his hand to Janet and helped her to rise before stepped down from the carriage and took her hand again and helped steady her as she got out of the carriage. He then draped her hand over his arm and she walked with him as they followed Li into the business. She gasped as she realized that they were in a jewelry store. Even though she had jewelry she had sold all of the valuable pieces long ago. It only took one look around the room to know that everything that was in this store was valuable. It appeared that this store only dealt in the best. Janet watched as Li talked to another Chinese man, and after a minute both of them came to stand in front of Tom. The new man bowed respectfully. Janet had no doubts that she was not included in any show of respect, regardless of what Li might have said. She knew that this was all for Tom, and she realized that he was a much more important man than she thought. It seemed that the more that she found out about this strange man, the more it surprised her. Tom bowed respectfully back to the owner of the shop. He was an older man, but his eyes were alive and shining. He motion Tom over and began to show him many fine pieces of jewelry before Tom waved them away and said, "You know why I came here. I specifically asked Li where I could get a nice ring. You are showing me everything but rings. If you don't want to sell me one, just say so and I will find a place myself." Janet thought that Li looked offended, but not by Tom's words. He said some things to the other man who promptly took them over to another case. It had some of the most beautiful rings that Janet had ever seen, and she had seen many since she had been coming to Washington. Tom looked over the case and pointed to a rather plain gold band. Janet's heart dropped but realized that it was better than she had now, or that she could likely hope to get from any other man. Tom had several of the bands fitted to find the right size. Once they had the size Tom pointed to a simple band with three diamonds. Janet's breath caught at the size of the center diamond. Tom didn't let her try on that one, but put it in his pocket. He then thoroughly confused her by telling them that he wanted five more plain gold bands to be delivered at his house. He explained that sizing would be a problem, but the old Chinese man shook his head and explained that he could bring a number of different sizes. The old man explained that the bands were simple and it would be easier to have many on hand. Tom negotiated the price and Janet gasped again. She couldn't believe that he would spend a thousand dollars so casually. Tom reached into his jacket and removed his wallet. He took a stack of money out and asked the old man if he would accept the bank notes. Janet was confused since everybody dealt with bank notes. She had no way of knowing that Tom preferred to deal in gold. The old man smiled and counted the money before he smiled and said that he would arrive at Tom's house in a few hours. Tom nodded his agreement. Tom took Janet's hand and led her to the carriage. Li and the old man bowed and Tom bowed to them. Janet did her best to imitate and gave her own bow. Li and the old man smiled to her. Tom helped her back into the carriage and he followed. Li said that he would stay with the old man and wished Tom good fortune. Tom smiled and said that he would see them both later. Once they were both seated Ben shook the reins and the horses move off at a steady walk. Janet didn't remember much about the ride out of Chinatown as her own thoughts kept intruding. She didn't notice much of anything until they stopped at a church on Pennsylvania Ave. Once again Tom helped her to rise and out of the carriage. This time John and Ben accompanied them into the church; John in front and Ben following. She realized that nobody could get to Tom without going through one of them first. She wondered how much he paid them to get such loyalty. A few minutes later found them talking with the priest. Tom explained that they wanted to get married. It was a bit more complicated than the last time Tom went through it, since the priest wanted to fill out a bunch of papers. Tom and Janet answered the questions and the priest filled out the papers. When he was finished he took them into the chapel and started the service. Janet was filled with mixed feelings, she wanted to be married to wash away the shame that she felt, but she also wanted the big wedding that she could invite the Washington elite. It didn't take much time to come to terms with the simple wedding. It was better than her prospects the day before, and when Tom slipped the ring on her finger she forgot all about the Washington elite, or having a big wedding. She only saw Tom and she realized that it didn't matter who else was there, she would still be just as married. When they left the church she had a smile on her face that an undertaker couldn't remove. They rode in silence through the streets. Janet was only mildly surprised when they stopped in front of the Restaurant. When she looked at Tom he saw the confusion on her face. "We still have business to conduct." She realized that he was not as sentimental as she was. She had made promises and agreements and he intended to see them through. She calmly nodded her head; she would go through with things just as she agreed to. When they were seated at Tom's normal table, Tom calmly retrieved his case and removed a stack of papers and put them in front Janet. She was confused for a minute until she saw the markers. She quickly grabbed them before she started to read the document. She was stunned when she realized what it was. When she finished reading she pushed the document to Tom, but refused to let go of the markers. Tom Smiled and asked her if she would like a match. She didn't understand for a moment, but when her brain finally started to process things again she nodded her head and found she couldn't stop smiling again. She never thought the smell of burnt paper could ever smell so good. She thought it smelled better than honeysuckle in June, and thought that she would probably get to smell that at Magnolia House. Tom explained about the unfortunate accident that befell poor Mr. Belamy and his associates, and then he had the duty to tell her about Mr. Richmond and his mad suicide craze. Janet listened and wondered how many more miracles this man could produce in one day. She wondered if he was really just a man, or if she had stumbled upon a God. She remembered reading about the Greek Gods coming down from Mount Olympus and working miracles, and she couldn't imagine any of them doing any more for her then this young man. When she thought about it, she realized that he was very young. She didn't know how old he really was, and she wasn't sure if he was older then her or not. But as she looked at him she saw the hard lean body and the supple grace of his movement and realized that a cat would be clumsy next to him. His chiseled features and strong body almost had her panting in her chair. She thought about her earlier thoughts of a Greek God and realized that she was seeing her own Adonis. The very thought made it hard for her to breathe. Her voice was low and quiet; almost a whisper, "You will need to show the marriage papers to Mr. Holt, at the firm of Holt, Schmitt and Brand. Mr. Holt will do all of the paperwork and give you the deed to Magnolia House." Tom nodded and motioned to John. After a hasty few lines written on his personal stationary Tom handed the envelope and the marriage papers to John. The outside of the envelope held the name of the firm and who he needed to see. John looked it over and nodded his head, "Peter, ride with me." She watched as another young man easily rose and followed John out the door. She noticed that there was no talking or complaining, they all just did as they were told to. She looked at Tom again and wondered about him once again. After John had left Tom stood and picked up his case. "That's all for today. Let's go home." Ben smiled and headed out the back. Tom escorted Janet out the front to wait for the carriage. Janet looked up at Tom and her breath caught again, "We had a small house here in Washington that father used while he was here. We can go there, if you like." Tom smiled at her, "You can keep it if you like, or we can sell it. It really makes no difference." And she realized that to him, it didn't. Once Ben arrived with the carriage Tom helped her in and sat beside her. As they made their way through the city she realized that she didn't have any idea here they were going. She sat back and watched and waited, she knew that one way or another she would find out soon enough. She watched as the city moved past her, and noticed that they were moving in a northeast direction. She knew that if they kept going they would end up in the very exclusive section of town, and wondered once again just how rich her young husband was. When they left the edge of the town and were heading for snob hill, as Janet liked to call it, she began to feel concerned. When they continued to the very top of the hill and turned into the Old Wheeler mansion she gasped. "This is the old Wheeler mansion. What are we doing here?" Tom smiled at her, "I bought the old place last year and had it fixed up. I find the place rather comfortable." Janet couldn't believe his words; comfortable? It wouldn't be one of the ones that she would have chosen, but realized that it was all what you were accustomed to. Many people would probably think the same thing about Magnolia House, and she was very comfortable there. She decided to wait and see what happened. She didn't have long to wait. Tom took her to the drawing room. He grabbed Jess as she was passing and pulled her into the room. As Tom was talking to Jess, Janet noticed that she kept running her hands over any part of his body that she could reach. She quickly realized that she didn't like this slip of a girl handling her husband, and recognized the feeling for what it was. She had been warned that there would be other women, but she didn't realize that it would be so soon, or she would be so affected. "Jess, find Mei, Su and Wei, and have them come here. Also find Willard and tell him that I need to talk to him when I finish with the girls." Jess looked at Janet with undisguised hostility before she left the room at a run. Janet turned her attention back to Tom, and waited for an explanation. If Tom saw the look, he ignored it. Janet was feeling frustrated, but she couldn't for the life of her imagine why. Su was the first to arrive. She came to a screeching stop when she entered the room and saw Janet. She looked enquiringly at Tom, but once again he ignored the look. With a wave of his hand he motioned for Su to sit on one of the couches. When Mei arrived it was almost an identical response. Wei being the last had Tom's attention. "Please close the door and have a seat with the others." Wei softly closed the door and as she took in the situation. She didn't look happy as she sat with Mei and Su. They had time to sit and study each other and Tom felt the tension in the room. He shook his head and cleared his throat to get everybody's attention. "There have been some changes since this morning." Tom turned to Mei, Su and Wei and looked each of them in the eye, "All of you know that I have wives. This is a new one, and I expect you to act correctly with her." Tom had noticed Janet's gasp at the mention of wives and waited to see what she would do. He found it interesting that she sat and did nothing. As one, each of the Chinese women stood and bowed respectfully to Janet. After they had bowed they sat stiffly back on the couch. Tom let out a sigh as he turned to Janet. "I have explained that we are married, and as my concubines they are offering you the respect of a wife in the house. Normally, they would defer to you and your superior position in the house. But our situation is different and I might as well put all the cards on the table, so to speak." Tom turned his full attention on Janet, "What are you?" Janet seemed confused for a minute before she answered, "I'm your wife." Tom shook his head and took a deep breath, "No, you are a whore. You can call yourself anything that you want, but in the end you are still nothing but a whore. I have told you that I will treat you like a whore and I will. I don't know what you expected but you can be certain that I warned you before you married me. I also warned you that there were other women, and that I would have complete obedience from you. You agreed to all of these things and you weren't concerned. Well, now it is time to face your new life and the sooner we get this done the better." Janet looked at him in horror, "What do you mean? I understand that I am a whore; I sold you my body. When you told me that there would be other women, I wasn't expecting that you already had a harem. As far as obeying you, I believe that a wife should obey her husband. But I won't be treated like some cheap whore just for your amusement." Tom smiled. For the first time since he met her she had finally said something that he understood. "Let me explain your situation to you. You seemed to have forgotten that as your husband I own Magnolia House you don't have that to run back to. Also, you can bet that any other property will be in my name before the week is out. You have the clothes on your back and any money that you are carrying. I suspect that if I turn you out, you will be on your back before then of the week." Tom looked at her hard and waited for her to see the same things that he did. When her gaze dropped to the floor in front of her Tom knew that she had seen the truth. "Now, there are three ways that we can handle this. First, you can refuse to accept your situation and try to make life difficult for everybody; you will find yourself on the street in short order. Second, you can accept your situation and believe that you have some hope to change me. I will do exactly as I said that I would do and strip you naked and tie you in front of the house. Third, you can accept your situation and do as you are told. In that case you would find a comfortable life and things would be better for all of us." Tom walked over to Janet and raised her head with his fingers under her chin. "So, what will it be? The choice is yours." Janet struggled with herself. She knew that she had been warned and ignored it, or just refused to believe it. Now she didn't have much choice but to believe what she was seeing and hearing. She knew that he would throw her out, as surely as she knew that he had arranged the deaths of Mr. Belamy and his associates, and Mr. Richmond. She also knew that he was right, if he turned her out she would soon find herself on her back. It wasn't very flattering, but it was the truth. "I won't give you any trouble, sir." Tom laughed, "Oh don't you believe it. You will cause me no end of trouble. But, as long as you are trying to get along we will see what we can do to work things out. Before you lose too much sleep on it, let me tell you a secret; all women are whores. Wives sell themselves to their husband for security. Concubines sell themselves to any man that her master tells her, for security. And whores sell themselves to all men, for security. The only difference between them is how honest they are about it, and who they sell themselves to." Tom watched as Janet listened to him and he could tell that she didn't believe it, but that she wanted to. He smiled at her, "Ask the other girls they have had a longer time to think about it and to come to grips with it." Tom then walked back to the center of the room, "Okay whore, strip. I have paid the price and now I plan on seeing what I have bought." Tom watched her face as the command hit her full force. He saw the disbelief followed by the shock. She didn't move as he watched her trying to come to terms with his demand. See looked at him with confusion that quickly turned to concern, "But, what about them?" She gestured toward the girls and Tom smiled, "Oh, do you want them to help you?" Tom smiled at the shock and terror that crossed her face. "No! I can do it on my own!" Tom smiled at her reaction. He knew that soon she would have a totally different reaction. Tom snuck a quick peek at the girls and saw that all of them were watching with a new interest. They had realized that things weren't going to change much in the house, if any. They were looking with interest to see what the new girl had to offer. Tom could see that all three girls had hard nipples; silk didn't hide excitement well. Tom turned his attention back on Janet and saw that she was slowly unbuttoning her dress. She had only managed to get three buttons undone and at the rate that she was going she would still be at it at bedtime. Tom walked to her and grabbed the top that she was working on in each hand and gave a hard pull; all of the buttons to her waist went flying in every direction. "There, I didn't want you to still be at it when it got dark. Do you need any more help getting undressed?" Janet's shocked face was quickly shaking her head. "Then you better get moving, or I will help you some more." Janet could see that there was to be no reprieve, and dallying had already cost her the buttons of her best dress. She quickly finished the buttons below the hips and wiggled out of her dress. The corset would take some time no matter how she did it, but she started on it quickly. Tom smiled as he stepped up to her once again and produced a knife from somewhere. Janet froze at the sight of the fearsome weapon. Tom put the razor point below the laces and moved it up. Janet felt the laces part under the sharp blade and held her breath. With one slow measured stroke he parted every lace on her corset and left her breasts quivering in the cool air. As Tom stepped back she slowly let out the breath she had been holding. She also realized that her pantaloons were soaked. She had started seeping in the restaurant and knew that she hadn't stopped since. The excitement that she now felt thundering though her, only made it worse, and she knew that she was going to embarrass herself. She couldn't stop the blush that went down to her swinging breasts. She could only guess what he would do next if she wasn't out of her clothes quickly. She removed the corset and a new blush was hidden by the last one. After several petticoats she was down to her pantaloons and her boots. She didn't know what would be better but she was determined not to show her most secret treasure before she had too. She sat on the edge of the couch that she had been on and began unbuttoning her boots. Tom waited and watched as she worked on the boots. He enjoyed watching her breasts swing as she worked. A quick look showed that all of the girls were in a similar state as Janet. All three of them were squirming on their seat and the hard nipples were trying to push through their silk tops. He even noticed a sly nipple pinch every now and then from each of them. He smiled at their antics. Tom watched as Janet got each boot off and removed the socks that went to her knees. She realized that she couldn't put it off any longer and stood and closed her eyes. She put her hands on her hips and pushed the pantaloons down past her hips and let them fall to the floor. She then stood straight and breathed deeply, and did her best not to cover herself. Once she felt that she had control of herself she opened her eyes. The sight that greeted her both shocked and excited her even farther. The Chinese girl with the big breasts was kneeling in front of Tom and obviously sucking his cock. She quickly looked for the other Chinese women and saw them obviously playing with their own womanly parts. Even though she had done those same things she was certain that she would never do them in front of anybody else. But as she watched she found herself getting wetter and wondered why watching a women would do that to her. Tom's voice snapped her head around and back on him, "Get over here." She didn't feel that she had any will of her own. His voice compelled her to walk to him. When she was standing beside the Chinese girl she couldn't help but to watch as she lovingly sucked and slurped on his cock. She seemed to be have a wonderful time, and Janet wondered what she had missed when she had refused to do that to Richmond. She felt Tom's hand on her shoulder and when he pushed down she felt her knees buckle. Then she was only inches from the sight that so intrigued her. The smell was the next thing that she noticed. There was a strong male musk and another smell like her own that she knew belonged to the Chinese girl. Her own scent quickly joined the others to make her head swim and she even began to drool. The desire to have that hard cock slipping between her lips pushed her farther along the road to heaven. She found herself reaching for the object of her desire. She couldn't stop herself as her hand closed around the hard shaft. Surprisingly the Chinese girl didn't seem to mind sharing her prize and Janet wondered how she would feel about somebody taking away her prize. She didn't have any idea what she was doing and the Chinese girl seemed to know that, she gently guided her hand and then she slipped the hard shaft from her mouth and offered it to Janet. She didn't know why, but it made her happy that the girl was offering to share with her. It made Janet understand that they were more like sisters than rivals. She smiled at her and leaned forward to get her first taste of a man. Wei smiled at the woman. They seemed to form a bond and she knew it was good, after all this was her master's wife and she didn't need trouble. She didn't want to be sent away. She watched as Janet sucked the hard shaft into her mouth. She noticed her doing the same type of mistakes that she had made at first. She leaned close and whispered into her ear as she watched. Janet received her first lesson in cock handling. She learned the smooth slow stroke of the shaft and the hard suction as she slipped the head back and forth in her mouth. She tried to suppress gagging but she couldn't master that. Wei rubbed her back and told her not to try so hard as it would come in time. When Tom got close Wei whispered instructions frantically. And even took over fisting his shaft. Janet waited for the promised explosion and kept sucking. When it hit was wasn't prepared for the amount of cum that she received. As she pulled her head back Wei was ready and quickly pulled his shaft into her own mouth without a drop being lost. Janet had remembered what Wei had told her and held it in her mouth. She was enjoying the warm salty flavor when she felt the hand in her hair. When she opened her eyes she saw one of the other Chinese girl's mouth descending on her. She was shocked, but quickly realized what she was after. She didn't know how she felt about her coming to share in her prize, but realized that she would have to get along with these women. When her mouth descended on her she slowly gave up half of what she had gotten, but she refused to give any more than half. That she swallowed to make sure that she got to keep it. It was only after she had swallowed that she realized that she had been greedy and selfish as the girl passed back all that she had gotten. She was determined not to make the same mistake twice and passed back all that she had gotten. It was during this that she realized that she was kissing another girl, and the shock froze her in mid-kiss. The other girl didn't seem to notice and once again passed the prize back into her mouth. Once the shock wore off she found that kissing another girl didn't kill her and she passed the prize back once again. That was when she noticed that even if she tried to pass everything back, her mouth was still coated with the sticky cream. She quickly swallowed and waited for the next pass. It was then that she noticed that there as a finger where only her fingers had been and once again she tried to come to grips with the strange feeling. She noticed that the feelings coursing through her were quickly getting her to that wonderful feeling of completion. She decided not worry about it until she got there. She did notice that she was getting there much faster then she normally did when it was her own fingers doing the probing. When she felt the pressure on her nipple it was all she needed to moan into the girl's mouth and she couldn't hold herself up on her knees any longer. As she slowly sank to her back she noticed that the girl went with her and kept kissing her. Somewhere along the line the cream had disappeared and now it was just kissing. She also felt the girls arm wrap around her and felt herself drifting in a sea of contented love. She decided that she like being held after she had her release. It was then that she noticed that she wasn't kissing any more, but once again she was sucking on something. It was like Tom's hard cock but smaller and softer. It was then that she realized that it was the girl's finger; the same finger that had been inside of her! He eyes snapped open and the girl shushed her and started sliding the finger in and out like Tom had done, and she motion seemed to comfort her. Once she thought about it she decided that the taste wasn't near as bad as she had thought, a little more thought and she realized that she liked the taste, maybe even better than the cream that Tom had squirted in her mouth. This was sweet and tangy, but not salty. She reached up and slipped the finger from her mouth, "It's different, but nice." The girl smiled at her as she slipped her finger back into her mouth and Janet noticed a different taste again. It was like her own, but there was a difference. She couldn't say why it was different, but it was. If she had to guess she would say that it was less sweet, but less tangy, too. She knew that she as tasting the Chinese girl's juices and she decided that all of the things that she had heard about Chinese people were just like the things that she had heard about Negros, all just talk of the uninformed or just hate talk. She remembered her old Nana fondly. Tom and watched interestedly as Mei had descended on Janet. He saw the stages of surrender that she went through. He knew that it wouldn't be long before she as right at home in his house. Janet looked at Mei and asked, "Isn't doing things like this wrong?" Mei smiled at her and slowly shook her head, "No. What is right and what is wrong is for our master to decide for us. We are nothing more than his whores. We serve how he wishes us to. He is a very good man. He has decided that things like this are not wrong, for us." Mei watched as she tried to make the woman feel better. She noticed that she reacted strongly to the word master. "Does calling Tom master bother you?" She watched as Janet nodded her head. She thought about it carefully before she asked, "Why?" Janet took a breath, "I am from Virginia, and we own a plantation down there. We have slaves and they all call us master. It shows ownership and control. I'm a white woman and not a slave." Mei thought about this for a minute as she held the woman comfortingly. "You are a woman, it doesn't matter if you are white, Chinese or black. You are still a woman. You can't own land, you can't vote. Without a man you will be stolen from, cheated and robbed and the law will not help you. You sold yourself to Tom. Do you plan on running away from him?" Mei looked at Janet as she thought about it before she shook her head. "So, you are a whore, just like the rest of us. Tom explained it to you, you sold yourself to one man, but you still sold yourself. You know what you are, just as we know what we are. If you can admit that you are a whore, Tom's whore, then you will see that he is our master. He cares for us, puts clothes on us, feeds us and keeps us safe. For that we give him our bodies in any way that he wants us, any time he wants us, and we do what he tells us to do. If you do not wish to be a slave then you should have to be born a man. We are women; we have been slaves since we were born; first, to our fathers. Then to the man that we choose, if we are lucky." Mei looked into the sad eyes of Janet and knew that she understood. She smiled at her, "He is a good master, but he is our master." She saw Janet slightly nod her head. Mei took a handful of hair and brought her face to within inches of her own, "Make no mistake about this, Tom can kill you and nobody will stop him or care about it afterwards. The law will not care, you are just a woman and he is a man. He says that you died and they will say 'too bad', I have seen this. Killing a horse will cause him more trouble than killing you. Do not make the mistake of pushing our master. He is a very hard man. We have seen him kill, and he's very good at it. Do not believe that he will not kill you, or anybody else that threatens him." Mei looked her in the eyes until she looked away. Mei released her hair and cuddled her again. She felt Janet hold her as if her life depended on it, and she wondered if she had said too much. Tom had listened and knew that Mei had told her the truth, even a truth that she needed to know. He calmly slipped on his pants and went to the door and opened it. As he expected Willard was waiting as if he had just arrived, even though he had probably been there for some time, "Sorry to keep you waiting Willard. Please come in." Tom stepped aside as Willard smoothly entered the room. If there was anything out of the ordinary with four women lying naked on the floor cuddling each other he didn't seem to show it. Janet froze as she saw a strange man enter the room. She wanted to grab her clothes and hide, but Mei held her tightly. "That is Willard. He runs the house for Master Tom. Master Tom knows that you have no clothes on, if he has invited Willard into the room it is because he wants you like this. Remember, we do as our master wants, at all times. This is something that he wants, so relax and do as he wills." Even though Janet didn't relax, she calmed and accepted the situation. Tom indicated a chair for Willard and Tom eased himself into his favorite reading chair. "I wanted you to stop by to introduce Janet Sherman, we were married today." Tom motioned to the naked Janet and smiled that she seemed to accept the situation. Willard didn't seem the least bit phased as he responded, "Let me congratulate you sir, on your marriage. I wish you both all the best." Tom waved it away. "As you can see she will have no special status in this house that she doesn't earn. I don't expect her to be treated any better, or worse than any of the other girls." Willard nodded his head and replied, "I understand, sir. Will she be moving into your bedroom, or shall I prepare another room for her?" Tom smiled, "She will be moving into my bedroom. I make a point of sleeping with all of my wives, when I have the chance. If she needs any more room, I will consider having Peter knock out a wall and making my room bigger." Willard nodded, "Will there be anything else sir?" As Willard slowly stood, Tom noticed that he did give a thorough examination to Janet as well as the other girls that he had checked out on other occasions. "She will be having tea with the women every morning." The Other three women looked shocked, but Tom smiled. They had suspected her status had allowed her something that theirs didn't, but he made it clear that she was no different. Willard bowed smartly, "As you say, sir." Then he was gone. Janet noticed the tension in Mei and the shocked look on her face and asked, "What is it about tea that shocks you?" Mei looked back at Janet with a sad smile. It is not just tea, but a special herb tea that keeps us from getting with child. Master Tom had forbidden any of us from getting in the family way until we are back at his home. He says that any children could be used as a hostage and he wouldn't bargain for their release." Janet shivered, "Well, it's probably good that he wants things that way then. But I had hoped that he wanted children." Mei smiled at the woman, "Oh he wants children, but not here and not now. He says that there will be plenty of children later. We are all waiting for the time to come." Janet smiled as she nodded her head and snuggled back into Mei's arms. She found that having another man looking at her didn't bother her as much as she thought that it would. She knew part of it was that she was only one of many and she took strength from that. Tom's voice was gentle as he spoke, "We need to get dressed and prepare for visitors. I have invited Wong Su Li and another gentleman to stop by the house in a little while. I will expect to receive then here in the drawing room. I hope that you can have the smell cleaned out by then, or it might embarrass you before your neighboring families." Tom smiled at the furious activity taking place. "Oh yes, since I destroyed most of Janet's dress, why don't you three see what you can do about giving her something to wear." Mei smiled at the idea. Janet was confused as she looked at her clothes. She might have to sew on a few buttons, but she was sure that it was nothing serious. Mei took her hand and started leading the naked woman from the room. She quietly whispered, "Keep your head up and meet any eyes that you encounter. Remember you now belong to Master Tom, and many women would kill to be where you are. Master Tom has given an order to have us dress you in our clothes. He has a reason for this, so just accept it and do as he says." Janet nodded that she understood. She was glad for the advice and knew that she owed much to Mei, and hoped that she would be able to repay her kindness. Janet had seen some Chinese in the past and had often thought that the clothes that they wore looked stupid, but the feel of the silks on her skin made her ignore what she might have looked like. She was surprised to find out that Tom had outlawed undergarments. He breasts moved freely under the silk top and her hard nipples were constantly stimulated. She soon found the thought of spending a day like this to be very pleasant. Her only complaint was that she had to run to the outhouse to clean her flowing juices from her legs. Mei whispered to her that she only went to clean up when her juices started to leak into her shoes. The thought had such an effect on Janet that her knees buckled when she felt her pleasure peak. Mei smiled at her and helped her up. Tom didn't see any of this, as he was waiting in the drawing room for Li to show up. When he did, Tom called the women together once again. Li introduced Hong Fe Wong and Tom chose Su to be the first, since she was the older of the first concubines. Su gasped when Wong fitted the ring on her finger. She looked at Tom with surprise and pride. When she was finished Tom led Mei to Wong to be fitted for her ring. She had the same shocked and pleased expression on her face. When Wei was fitted she broke down completely. She had gambled everything, including her life on Tom, and now she was even allowed to wear his ring. She cried all the way to his arms and refused to let go of him. Tom didn't pretend to understand, but he knew that it was something that she needed. Tom sent Su to find John. When he arrived Tom explained who Hong Fe Wong was and why he was visiting. All of the girls showed John their new rings. John looked a little confused, but Tom pulled him away from the others for a private talk, "John you know that all of the women talk. Do you think that Ming and Ping will not find out about their rings? Those rings have a special meaning for Chinese women, and especially concubines. If you don't have your girls fitted today they will probably castrate you during the night. It is such a little thing to us, but it is very important to them. The rings are already paid for. All you have to do is just bring them in. Personally, I wouldn't tell them why you want to bring them in here, until you pick one to be fitted for her ring. Then I think I would stand back and hope for the best." John looked like he didn't believe it, but he shrugged and left to find his girls. Tom smiled at the clueless man and hoped that he lived through the night. When John returned with Ming and Ping they looked like he was leading them to the gallows. When Ming, or possibly it was Ping since Tom couldn't tell the difference, was fitted for her ring John could see the tears leaking down her face. Ping was no different when her turn came. John watched as each of them bowed formally to Hong Fe Wong and then John. After he bowed in return they quietly and softly took his hand and led him from the room. That was the last that Tom saw of any of them that night. With all of the rings safely fitted to their fingers Tom sent them off to do their work. Tom formally bowed to Hong Fe Wong and Wong Su Li. He thanked them for their efforts and the special trip to the house. Li smiled and shook his head, "No master Tom, you don't need to thank us. You have made all of the women in your house smile and word is spreading about your generosity. I imagine that Wong will have more business than he can handle very soon. It will be good for everybody and make many houses happy. This is a joy that will spread." Tom shrugged and accepted the honors offered. After he had shown them to the door he could see the looks of longing on Jess's face, but he wasn't ready to increase his number of concubines, if he could get away with it. ------- Chapter 51 The women in general were an exceedingly happy group during dinner. The other warriors noticed, but didn't have a clue as to the reason why. They also noticed John's absence, but since Tom wasn't concerned, they made no mention of the fact. After dinner and the evening cleanup, Janet got her first taste of a steam room and a hot bath. She was only embarrassed about being naked for a short time. She couldn't decide which she liked better, seeing the other women naked, or Tom. Both kept her much too busy thinking about other things to be embarrassed. She had had hot baths before, but never one with water so hot, or so much of it. When you heated water on the stove, there was a limit to how much you could heat at one time. She marveled at the feel of the hot water caressing her skin, until she felt the hands that were suddenly caressing her, too. She was so relaxed she didn't even pretend to care. She let them touch and caress her in any place that they wanted, and she never opened her eyes. Her eyes popped open when she felt the hot water on her head, but then she felt the soap and the gentle fingers washing her hair. Her eyes closed again as she leaned back and enjoyed something that she hadn't felt since she was a little girl, but it felt so much better than it did then. After her hair was rinsed she was helped from the tub and sat on a bench where she was dried, and a soft towel wrapped around her body. She watched the loving care that that women worked over her body. When she was dry they led her back to the tub where she noticed Mei was sitting where she had been. She watched as they all knelt around the tub and began the same gentle caresses on Mei that she had felt. She found herself joining in the caressing and cleaning of Mei. She found herself touching a woman in places that she never believed that she would ever touch anybody, but herself. She wasn't concerned about what the others thought and realized that showing her affection in this way brought her closer to all of the women. She helped wash Mei's hair and rinse it before they lifted her from the tub and dried her. When she looked she saw Su was in the tub and the whole thing started all over again. After Su was Wei and when Wei was dried she looked to See Tom in the Tub. She was excited at the prospect of touching him all over as she had the women. She was only one woman with her hands running all over his body, but she tried to convey all of her feeling for this man with her every touch. She suddenly realized that every woman around the tub was doing the same thing. She saw the love that all of them felt for her husband, but she didn't feel the same jealousy that she had felt earlier. Now she wanted to share him with the women that had shared him with her. She wasn't sure when she had started to love this man, a man that she had only met the day before, but she couldn't deny that she did. She was surprised to feel some of the same feelings for some of the women, especially Mei. It was more confusing, but somehow it also seemed right. She knew that if she thought too much about it, she would convince herself that it was wrong, and she didn't want it to be wrong. She wanted the love that these people shared and she wanted to be one of them. More than anything else in her life she just wanted to be loved like this, and to love in return. She felt tears on her face, but she didn't care. After Tom was dried, Janet found herself wrapped in his arms and being led up the rear stairs. She was led to what she knew was Tom's bedroom. She didn't give any thought to the fact that they were not alone, and she wanted the other women there to share in her love for this young Adonis. She never heard a word spoken as she was deposited in the large bed and Tom took his place between her legs, and the other women surrounded her. She was surprised when Tom didn't mount her, but started to kiss and lick her in a place that she had never thought that it should be done. It wasn't long before she changed her mind about that, and wondered how she had ever lived without those feelings coursing through her body. She resolved not to judge anything these people did, at least until she had experienced it herself. Everything that she had ever thought she knew was now lying in the dust, and she was determined to live her life to the fullest, regardless of what others thought. When Tom entered her she knew that what Richmond had done had been clumsy and childish compared to this. She knew that this was a real man and anything that might have happened before was just a shadow to what she was feeling now. She looked into his eyes and she knew that it might not be love, but she knew that her cared for her. Right then, that was enough for her, but she hoped for so much more. Then her vision was blocked as she was kissed, and she suddenly realized that she had been kissed since she was put on the bed. Her nipples were being kissed, licked and sucked and her whole body was being caressed. She suddenly felt sorry for all of the people that believed that this was wrong. It was during her third climax that she felt Tom suddenly shove himself deeply in her and froze. The she felt the liquid fire erupt into her body. She felt her eyes roll back into her head as a whole new level of pleasure was experienced. She didn't feel anything, hear or see anything and she wondered if she was still conscious. But, like all pleasure it was over too quickly and the world rushed back in on her, and with the world came the feeling and the sights and sounds and smells; she loved them all, but especially the smells. It was the first that she noticed any smells, but when she concentrated on them they were intoxicating and almost overpowering. She felt Tom slowly withdraw from her tired body, and mourned the loss. She hoped that he would cuddle with her, but she knew that he had other duties to attend to. She was surprised to feel a mouth attach itself to her and even though she didn't look, she knew what the bandit was stealing from her, and she mourned that loss, too. She was surprised to suddenly see Mei descending for a kiss. She welcomed the kiss and the love that she felt for this woman. The fiery explosion of taste suddenly exploded in her mouth and her eyes popped open. She knew this taste, and it identified the bandit. She smiled as she realized that she hadn't been robbed, but was being offered a treat. It was better than any other treat that she had ever been offered. They passed the offering back and forth between them, until it was gone, but it didn't stop their kiss. Janet knew that Mei was special to her, and wanted to do all of the things that would make her happy, so she tentatively reached out to another woman for the first time. Her touch was welcomed and she quickly gained confidence. It was surprising to her how easily it came to her. She knew what felt good to her and she did all of them to Mei. She didn't hesitate when she buried her face between Mei's legs for the first time, and she found that she loved Mei's taste. Mei pulled her up to kiss her and spoke softly in her ear, "Sister, we mustn't forget the others. They need our attention, too. Janet looked around for the first time on a long time. She saw Tom had mounted Wei and Su was lying there looking to the world like a well fucked woman. Janet giggled at the thought that she actually knew what a well fucked woman looked like. She nodded her head to Mei and crawled off to Su. She decided to play bandit and see how it felt from the other side. She heard Su gasp as she attached her mouth to her leaking pussy. She licked and sucked all of the hot, tangy syrup left by their master. When she had everything that she could get she crawled up Su, dragging her taut nipples across her quivering body. When she was looking into her eyes she lowered her mouth for a kiss. Su hungrily pulled her down to meet the kiss. Janet found that sharing Tom's love was a pleasure in itself, as they passed it back and forth until there was nothing left. Janet found herself cuddling the younger woman, while they were kissing, and decided that it was all a part of caring for the people that you love. When Janet crawled away from Su she noticed that Tom had gone to sleep. She couldn't guess how long they had been playing. But she knew that it was quite late. With Mei and Wei still involved in their own world, she and Su crawled up and snuggled in with Tom. As soon as she laid her head on his shoulder and felt him wrap his arm around her, she knew there was no place in this world that she would rather be. As she closed her eyes she felt herself drift off to a world that couldn't match the one she was now in. When she woke it was still false dawn, but she had a smile on her face. She hadn't slept so well since her father died. The thought left her a little sad, but she knew that even if he didn't approve of what she as doing, he would still be happy that she was happy. She suddenly realized that she was toying with a ridge on Tom's chest. As she looked closer she saw that it was a scar. Then she noticed another one, and another and then a bullet wound, and another one of those. She wondered how she had not seen these things before. She had seen him in the steam room, and the bathing room and she had ran her hands all over him in the tub. She had to admit that when he was in her she wouldn't have noticed an elephant dancing through the room, but she guessed that at times like that, it is only expected. But still, there had been times that she should have noticed the obvious battle wounds that her new husband carried. And she wondered how a man so young could have seen so much pain. It brought tears to her eyes. Tom looked over and saw the tears in Janet's eyes and raised an enquiring eyebrow. She shook her head, smiled and kissed him gently before closing her eyes and drifting back to sleep. Tom wondered about women and if he would ever be able to figure them out. He snuggled deeper into the bed and pulled Janet and Su closer and drifted back off to sleep, himself. Tom woke before the others, as usual, and slipped from the bed without waking them. He grinned and he watched Janet and Su snuggling closer, looking for his body. When they found each other he saw each of them sigh and snuggle closer to each other. He smiled as he slipped from the room. He was enjoying a cup of coffee when Wei staggered into the room. She still looked half asleep, but she hit him on the shoulder for not waking her up to make his coffee. Tom grinned and pulled her down into his lap and cuddled her. She purred her contentment as she ignored the morning's duties. They would get done, if a little later than usual. The girls informed Tom that there were things that they needed to do today and Tom had Ben stay with them and Pat would drive the carriage. He had expected as much. He knew that they would have to go to Chinatown to let everybody see their new rings; it was as much human nature as strutting around in new clothes. What Tom didn't expect was that Janet went with them, and she took every opportunity to hold hands and kiss any of the girls. Ming and Ping thought it was cute, but the girls had spent a lot of time hiding their relationship. In one day Janet told the world that Tom's white wife loved her husband's concubines. The girls might have been a little embarrassed, but the acceptance of a wife spoke volumes to the families. So, life slowly returned to the everyday quiet existence they had all come to expect. ------- It was almost a month later that Tom received the Deed to Magnolia House and the local Washington house from Mr. Holt. Tom considered not saying anything, but Janet had taken to life in his house like a duck to water from the first moment. He felt that he owed her the truth. That evening after dinner Tom mentioned that he had received the deeds and Janet looked at him curiously. Tom didn't understand her reaction and waited for her to explain. "Tom in the next month almost everybody in Washington will leave, when the session is over. They will be going home to work their farms and get the harvest in and do the things that have to be done. We need to go home, too. It is mid-spring and soon the first harvest will be taken in, then we have to get the second planting done and get ready for the fall harvest. We have responsibilities there that we can't ignore." Tom considered her words and knew that this was something that he hadn't considered when he taken over Magnolia House. But, he also understood responsibilities and he didn't think that he could just ignore it. He nodded his head, and she smiled at him. The next morning Tom was surprised when Janet cornered him in the kitchen, "Tom, I'm going to need some new dresses and corsets before we go home." Tom looked at her before he said, "Dresses maybe, but you won't need corsets or anything like that under your dresses. I haven't changed my mind about what you will wear under your dresses." Tom watched her struggle with the demands that had never been a problem before. "But Tom, a lady has to wear a corset, petticoats and pantaloons. There are certain expectations that she has to meet." Tom looked at the sad look in her eyes and that whine in her voice and realized that she was trying to manipulate him. Tom grinned at her, "Raise your skirts." She knew immediately what was expected of her and quickly had her skirts around her waist. She spread her legs and waited for his hand to find her most sensitive parts. She closed her eyes and moaned when he slipped a finger into her hot, wet opening. As Tom stirred her juices he also stirred her desires and whispered into her ear, "A lady might wear those things, but you are my whore and you will dress the way I tell you to dress. If you ever try and manipulate me again I will strip you naked for a month and take you with me everywhere I go with a rope around your neck, do you understand me?" Janet was shivering and moaning, but Tom wasn't sure if it was his finger, or the thought of spending a month following him around naked. He pulled his finger from her leaking pussy before she hit her peak and she groaned in frustration. She looked into his eye and nodded her head as she panted for breath. Tom told her to drop her skirts and went to sit at the table. She slowly dropped them as she leaned back against the wall. Tom watched as she slowly got control of the raging desire racing through her. She slowly opened her eyes and looked at him, "Even without wearing a corset and other things under my dresses, I am still doing to need some new dresses that hide what I'm not wearing." Tom considered this for a moment and nodded his head, "Tell Mei to take you to see Wong Su Tzu and have her make you some clothes, also if any of the other girls need clothes have her make them some as well." Tom noticed Janet fidgeting and wondered how long it would be before she pulled one of the girls off to take care of the itch that he had created. Tom saw Jess working in the pantry and had a thought cross his mind. He knew that Janet restricted her activities to his girls and wondered if it was time for her to spread her wings a little. He went into the pantry and called Jess to him. Her nimble body was quickly awaiting his command. Tom smiled and ordered her to lift her skirts. It wasn't like the first time, and she now took any opportunity to pull her skirts up for Tom. He was still amazed at the size of her clit. He wondered if it had grown since the last time he saw it, he wouldn't have been surprised. He reached down and got a good hold on it and started a jacking motion and she moaned loudly and reached out to hold on to his arms as she trembled. It didn't take long before she was moaning and thrusting her hips so forcefully that Tom considered her riding his hand. When he saw her approaching her peak, he quickly let go and held on to her. She struggled for a minute, trying to get one of her hands down to finish the job but finally sagged against him, when she figured out that he wanted her this way for some reason. Tom leaned down to whisper in her ear, "You did very good sweetheart, now will you do something else for me?" She was almost panting but she managed to answer him, "For you sir, I'll do anything. It doesn't matter what it is, I'll do it." Tom wondered if that was really true, but pushed the thought from his mind. Tom led her hand down to her drenched pussy and pushed her first two fingers into her wet opening. He stirred her fingers in the fragrant juices and then pulled them from her excited pussy. He told her to drop her skirts, and then she was standing looking at him as he held her hand away from her mouth. "I left my wife in a similar condition that you are in. I want you to go to her and tell her to open her mouth, and feed her your fingers. You will not take no for an answer, and you will force your fingers in her mouth, if you have to. After she has cleaned your fingers, you can come back here and continue your work, or you can go with her. You will not force her to do anything, just as she will not be allowed to force you, but if you two want to go and play I will understand." Jess grinned and ran the tip of the finger across her tongue and shivered before she answered, "Yes, Master." She was gone in an instant as Tom watched the show from the pantry. He noticed that Wei was watching closely, and Mei and Su pretended to be talking but they were watching everything that Tom had done and was waiting to see what would happen next. Tom watched as Jess walked up to the frustrated Janet and ordered her to open her mouth. Tom heard at least three women gasp and wondered if Janet was one of them. He saw the confused look on her face and knew that her desires were controlling her actions. He watched as Jess lost patience, waiting for her to do as she was told and reached up and grabbed a handful of hair, and pulled her head back. Janet's mouth popped open like a fish on a line. Tom watched as Jess pushed her fingers into her mouth and released her hair. He could see on Janet's face when the taste hit her. She moaned and Tom thought that her knees had given way, but she managed to stay standing. Jess watched her closely and slid her fingers in and out of her mouth. Tom watched as Jess took a step closer and started whispering in her ear. He couldn't hear and he didn't think it was important, he knew that she what she was selling. The only question was, was Janet buying? He watched as Jess upped the ante as she brought her other hand into play and started working on her hard nipples. Tom wondered if she would manage to get off on the sales pitch, but Jess seemed to have a good grasp of the situation. She stopped just before Janet could get there and pulled her fingers from her mouth, leaving her mouth searching for the fingers that were just there. Jess looked into her glassy eyes for a minute then took her hand and led her from the room. Tom knew that she would be herself long before they got where they were going, at least enough of herself to say no, if that was what she wanted. Tom stepped back into the kitchen from the pantry and watched three women with their hands in their pants. Not one of the three cared that he was watching them. Tom grinned and poured himself another cup of coffee as he sat at the table and watched the show. After the show as over Mei sat in his lap and slipped a finger in his coffee and stirred it around as she spoke. "Master was very mean to us this morning, making us watch that." Tom smiled and nodded, "You could have ignored it, or you could have left when I told her to lift her skirts, but you stayed because you wanted to stay, and you watched because you wanted to watch. Don't blame me if you can't control yourselves." Tom removed her finger from his coffee cup and took a sip, "Ah, coffee and pussy, two of my favorite things together; such a wonderful idea." All of the women giggled and Mei sighed and snuggled deeper into his arms. Over the next week Tom considered how he was going to be able to take time to go to Virginia. Even with the close of the Congressional session, business was booming, maybe even better then when the political figures were in town. The back door of the restaurant looked like a swinging door of a saloon. Tom even considered asking Poppa Tony to put one in. As happy as Poppa Tony was, at the increased business in his normally off season, he might have done it. After dinner on Wednesday, Tom said that he wanted everybody at the table. Willard arranged to have the staff standing by as well. When everybody had been gathered Tom made his announcement, "I have decided that it is time to go to Virginia and see how things are doing there. Luke will handle the business here, and Ben will protect him as he protects me. Robert will look over the plantation and see how it is running and if anything needs to be done. Peter will help John and Robert as he is needed, along with looking Magnolia House over. Peter, see if you can arrange to get a hot water system and all the plumbing that we will need to be shipped with us. I'm sure that if there is one to be had, Li will know where it can be found." Tom looked at the warriors and saw that they had the situation well in hand. He then turned his attention to the women. They were a lot of anxious faces looking at him and he knew that they all wanted to go. "Janet and the girls will be going, Wei can go or stay as she desires. Jess will come along to help take care of us. If Ming and Ping go, will be John's decision." Tom didn't have to look at John to know that Ming and Ping would be going. The look that they gave John left no doubt in Tom's mind what he would decide. Tom turned his attention to the household affairs, "Willard, we will be taking the carriage to carry the women and the baggage. I want you to arrange to get another carriage and horses. We will need Pat to drive for Luke, so that will leave the freight wagon. I'm afraid that James will have to handle the supplies for Frieda. I will send the girls in to Chinatown to get a stock of herbs for tea, for them to take with them, as well as anything else that they might want to take. If you need any additional money, for the carriage or the house, let Luke know." Tom watched Willard nod and knew that all was well on that front. Tom Looked at John, "When we get everything together I want to get going. I will leave the arrangements to you. Plan on renting a freight car, for the carriage and the horses; like we did on the way here. We will get seats on the train so that we don't have to ride with the horses, unless there is somebody that wants to ride with the horses. Talk with Janet and determine the best way to handle the travel requirements." John nodded his head. Tom looked around the room and asked if there were any questions, or comments. He heard nothing, so he waved his hand and everybody was off at a run. Tom smiled at the excitement bursting through the room and he shook his head in wonder. With the assignments given out, Tom didn't have anything to do himself, but work until they were ready to leave. All of the other warriors had things that they needed to get done and Tom found himself alone at the restaurant more than at any other time since he had arrived in Washington. He loved every minute of it, even if Poppa Tony did take an interest in his safety with the warriors away. He smiled at the thought. By Friday afternoon John and Willard had everybody ready to travel. The girls had the bags ready and John loaded them up in the back of the carriage. John explained that they would be leaving on the morning train. With needing to load the freight car Tom wanted to get there early. Everybody was in bed early, but Tom doubted that anybody was asleep until very late. He knew that the women had kept him up later than usual. With dawn Tom was swatting pretty asses. There were howls heard in the halls as Tom got his women up and ready to travel. Tom thought that he heard a few other howls, but he couldn't be sure. After the carriage and horses were loaded Tom found that both Robert and Peter wanted to stay with the horses. He knew that they were guarding the gold that he was bringing with him as well, but he suspected that they felt more comfortable riding in the open air. Tom bought seats for everybody else. He and John positioned themselves on the isle, with their backs to the end of the car. They could guard the girls easily and keep a watch on the happenings on the train. The Chinese women drew a few looks, but with Tom and John there weren't any comments. It was almost two o'clock when they pulled into Richmond. Janet started to get up, but John waved her back down. She was confused, "John, we need to get off here at Richmond." John shook his head and Tom knew that John had things handled. "After I talked to you about the trip, I couldn't see getting off here at Richmond just ride in a carriage for almost six hours just to cross the same train tracks again. I arranged to have the train stop and unload the carriage on the road to Dearing." Janet looked shocked, "But daddy tried over and over to get the train to stop and they wouldn't do it. How did you manage it?" John just shrugged his shoulders, "I just gave the engineer a Ten Dollar gold eagle and he said that we could take all the time that we needed." Janet looked stunned as she dropped back onto her seat. Tom heard her muttering, "All those years, daddy was talking to the wrong people. Going to the railroad commission and having lunches with the president of the railroad, and John gives the engineer ten dollars. Daddy would be spinning in his grave if he knew." Tom grinned. It was obvious that some people just didn't understand that there are easier ways to get things done. Less than an hour later they came to a stop, when asked the conductor said it was a small problem with the engine and they would be on their way shortly. Tom smiled and escorted the women off the train. By the time that they walked back to the Freight car Robert and Peter had the horses unloaded and were getting the carriage into position to go down the ramp. Tom and John pitched in to help and had the carriage down in a few short minutes. While Tom and John hitched the horses to the carriage, Robert and Peter moved the ramps into the freight car and closed the door. Robert flipped a silver dollar to the freight man and asked him to see that the car got cleaned out for them and he smiled real big and tipped his hat. A few minutes later the train whistle blew twice and the train started off moving south. Robert, Tom and John rode their horses and Peter drove the carriage. They only had an hour left before they got into Dearing. Tom guessed that John had saved them about six hours, and put them well ahead of schedule. ------- Chapter 52 It was about four o'clock when the small group pulled into Dearing. After a city the size of Washington, Dearing felt like a trading post. Tom looked around and decided that they needed to check out a few things. He rode up to Peter and motioned for him to stop at the hotel. Peter nodded that he understood and Tom rode on ahead. At the hotel Tom tied his horse to the rail and silently entered to arrange for a late lunch. He asked the clerk if he could handle eleven for a late lunch. The clerk looked him over before he nodded and motioned to the dining room. Tom looked and nodded his head. Tom went back outside where Peter was just stopping the carriage. Tom helped each of the women down. Tom motioned to have Peter park the carriage. After that Peter walked over to the group, Tom motioned to Robert. They moved off to talk and Tom told him what he wanted. They nodded and took off to cover the town. Tom went back and joined John and the women. Tom told them that the dining room could handle them for a late lunch. The women smiled at the good news and started up the steps. When they were half way to the dining room the clerk bellowed, "Hey you can't come in here! We don't serve the likes of you!" Tom and John had their guns in their hands before he even finished yelling, but it was Janet that handled things, "Why Mister Carson, I'm surprised and ashamed of you." The clerk's eyes got big and his mouth opened and closed a couple of times before any sound came out. "Miss Janet! I didn't know that they were with you. I'm sure that we can make an exception in your case. Please, go right on in." Tom and John were slow to put away their guns, and the clerk noticed. He couldn't know how close he came to dying, but he got the idea that when those men were around, the Chinese women would be welcome. After ordering their lunch, Tom ordered two box lunches. They took their time to eat and Tom noticed that they attracted some attention, but he really didn't care. He had been living too civilized lately and he was ready for a little deadly trouble. He could tell that John felt the same way, especially where his women were concerned and Tom agreed with him. They didn't have any more trouble before they left town. The girls all seemed quiet, except for Janet who was too excited to notice. Tom gave Robert and Peter their lunches and took the piece of paper that Peter handed him. As he rode he looked over the paper and shook his head. About thirty minutes later they were pulling into Magnolia House. Tom had to admit that it looked nice. When the carriage pulled up to the house Janet was out of the carriage before it even came to a stop. Tom smiled at her antics, but could understand her feelings as he had them a few times himself. A look at John showed the same smile that he was wearing, when they noticed they grinned. Once the carriage came to a stop Peter and Robert jumped down and helped the women out. Then they moved to the back and started to untie the baggage. John and Tom helped them and had the baggage sitting on the ground in no time. Janet was a yelling when she entered the house, "Nana! Nana, where are you?" Janet heard a racket from the kitchen and the sound of running feet. A large black woman rounded the corner and slid to a stop. She had tears running down her face as she launched herself at Janet, wrapping her in her strong black arms. "Lordy girl, what're you doing getting here at this time of day? We didn't hear a thing about you coming home, and this is way too early for you to be coming in here yelling for your Nana." Janet cried in her arms, "I'm sorry Nana. I should have sent you a telegram that I was coming, but I didn't think of it. I just wanted to get back home." Nana smiled at her as she patted her back. "Well, you just rest easy now, and Nana will take good care of you. I know that you have all kinds of trouble with your daddy getting himself killed and leaving a bunch of debts. We will get everything all worked out." Janet sniveled a few times before she got herself under control. "All of that trouble is over Nana. Daddy's debts are paid and I got married." Janet looked at Nana and smiled. When Nana looked at her she knew that Janet was happy about her marriage and that pleased her. She knew that Janet would have sold herself to the devil to keep them all safe. Janet stood up and wiped her tears away before she said, "Come on Nana, I want you to meet Tom, my husband and master." Nana gasped as she looked at Janet. Janet smiled sweetly at her, "Yes Nana, I said my master. I never knew what it meant to be a woman, until daddy died. Then I found out that I couldn't own land, I could be lied to, cheated and robbed and the law wouldn't do a thing about it, all because I am a woman. But if I have a husband then the law protects me. I am just as much a slave as you are, and you know what Nana? I love it. I have never felt freer then I do now." Nana smiled at her. "Well child, it sounds like you learned a lot about life in a real short time. Most women learn that lesson a lot sooner, but we all learn it. I am glad that you found yourself a man that makes you happy. That's all that any of us can ever hope for." Janet and Nana were arm in arm as they walked out onto the porch. Tom told the warriors to spread out and start checking things out, and to watch for trouble. They were all on their guard as they moved around checking out the plantation. Nana looked out at the men and gasped. "Oh my Lord girl, what have you gone and got yourself into now?" Janet looked confused as she looked at Nana, "What do you mean Nana? That's Tom, my husband and those are his men." As she pointed out the specific people Nana couldn't take her eyes off of the warriors. "Girl them ain't men, those are mountain lions in men's bodies." Janet giggled before she said, "Well Nana I can't say about the others, but I can tell you that Tom is all man, and Lord am I glad about that." Nana looked at her sharply before she playfully swatted her on the ass. Janet yelped in surprise and then giggled. Nana could see the hunters in the men. These men were more than other men, even the men that most called dangerous were just kittens compared to what she saw. But the one that scared her most was the man that glowed. He was so bright that she wanted to cover her eyes. She hoped that Janet knew what she was doing, because she wanted her baby to be safe. Tom noticed Janet and made his way toward the porch. When he got to the two women he smiled and Nana shivered. This close the glow was almost blinding to her, and that frightened her more than ever. She wondered if she was looking at the devil himself. Tom noticed her reaction, but he didn't care. It didn't matter what she thought that she knew, only he knew what was inside of him, and he wasn't worried about that. Tom motioned to the bags, "We need a few rooms. The girls will show you where the bags go." Tom turned and looked at Janet. There was no kindness in that look and it worried her. "Janet, we need to talk. Why don't you show me where the drawing room is, and we can talk in there." Janet nodded her head and led the way to the parlor. Even though she knew what he meant, she had never called it anything else and she wasn't going to start now, "Here is the parlor." She closed the door after he entered. They weren't in the parlor for more and half a minute before Nana heard her scream. She ran to the parlor as fast as her feet could carry her and when she got there she saw the young man sitting calmly looking at a small amount of liquor in the bottom of a glass while Janet was furiously stomping back and forth with a crumpled piece of paper in her hand. Nana didn't know what was going on, and wished she had never entered this room. Janet turned to Nana, "Where is Randolph and Victoria?" Nana seemed confused at the sudden change of conversation and it took her a minute for her to change gears. "Miss Victoria is visiting with Miss Charlotte again, and Master Randolph is out with that snake Mr. Fenning." Janet looked confused for a minute then turned and walked over to Tom. "You handle it, I don't care how. You are the master of Magnolia House and this is your problem. If you want them dead then kill them, or whatever else you want to do, I just don't care anymore." She turned and stomped past Nana and didn't even look back. Tom saw a worried Nana as she watched her go. "Nana, please come in and close the door." Nana turned and looked like a cornered animal. She quickly nodded her head and quietly closed the door. She stayed leaning against it, hoping to make a quick getaway, if the chance came up. Tom smiled and shook his head, "Come over here and sit down Nana. I promise you that I won't bite. I might growl a little sometimes, but I never bite." Nana didn't feel very comforted but she knew that this man was the master of the house. That meant that he could have her whipped, beaten or killed. She didn't want to offend him, but he scared her to death. Tom knew the effect he had on Nana, he wasn't sure why, but it was obvious. "Tell me Nana, what do you see when you look at me?" Nana shivered and moaned but she managed to control herself. "I see a witch-man. You is in league with the devil, or maybe you done sold your soul to the devil. I just knows that you is evil." Tom noticed that her speech changed when she got scared. He smiled at her and thought for a minute. "You know how some people say they come from the old country, and they have different customs and beliefs?" Tom watched as she nodded her head. She watched him closely, probably to make sure that he didn't sprout horns. Tom nodded his head, "Well it is something like that for me and my men. We come from a different place with different beliefs. We don't consider ourselves true white men, because we believe differently than all of the white men that we have met. My people consider me sacred, because I walk among, and talk to the spirits." Tom watched her closely as she thought about what he said. She frowned before she said, "How do I know that it ain't evil spirits that you talk to. You could still be evil." Tom nodded his head. He put the glass on the table and sat up straight. He closed his eyes and began to concentrate. Since his spirit walk he noticed that if he concentrated very hard he could shift a little into the spirit world. Not enough to walk among them, but at least enough to see and speak to them. When he opened his eyes the room was full of spirits, most of them were black but there were a few white ones scattered around. "Do any of you know this woman?" Nana watched as his glow got even brighter and then he looked like he was seeing things that weren't there. Then he started talking to people that she couldn't see. It was almost enough to drive her from the room, regardless of the punishment. But, she held on in the hope that he had told her the truth, and that he wasn't evil. She watched as he seemed to be listening to the spirits. Tom listened to an old black woman. When she finished Tom laughed and sat back. He turned to look at Nana again, "Well Nana, it seems that there were a few spirits around here that knew you. An old moss-woman name Hattie said that if I ever had anything that I needed to teach you I should first hit you upside your head, because you are as dumb as a post." Tom grinned at the shock on Nana's face. Nana didn't know what to say, and then she smiled. "Mammie Hattie was my teacher. She always said that I was as dumb as a post and slapped me upside my head to get my attention before she taught me anything. I have never told anybody about that, and I have to believe that you aren't evil, because Hattie would have gone to heaven. If you can still talk to her, tell her that I miss her and hope that she found heaven." Tom smiled and looked away and seemed to be listening again. This time Nana wished she could see what he saw. Tom nodded once and turned back to Nana, "She said that she missed seeing little Nimie grow into a woman, and she wants you to know that heaven is what you expect it to be; good or bad." Tom watched Nana start to cry, "Only mammie Hattie ever called me Nimie. Thank you Master Tom, you have given me a great gift." Tom smiled at her. He saw that she no longer feared him and was almost comfortable with him now. Tom took a deep breath before he went on. "Nana, now that we have that out of the way, we need to deal with some more bad things." He watched as she slowly shook her head, "You mean what Miss Janet said before she left the room?" Tom nodded his head. Tom looked at Nana and spoke softly, "Senator Thurston was killed during a card game. I suspect that he was murdered for Magnolia House. He left a debt of almost a thousand dollars. Janet tried to raise the money, but the banks were of no use, and the men that she considered honorable only offered her money to do things that she couldn't bring herself to do. One man agreed to pay off the debt and marry her and become the master of Magnolia House. But, he wanted to test his wife before he committed the money. She didn't feel like she had much choice and thought he was an honorable man. Once he got what he could, he said the she was unsatisfactory and that the deal was off." Tom watched the shocked expression on her face get worse, until tears were running down her face. "My poor baby! How could anybody do something like that?" She looked at Tom like she expected an answer and he just looked back at her. Tom sighed and continued his story, "That was when she came to me. I was her last hope. I collected the gambling debts, and I married her and became the new master of Magnolia House. Do you want me to tell you what I took from her? What she had to give to get me to do that?" Tom watched the stunned expression on her face. She couldn't speak but she nodded her head. Tom suspected it was like watching white men hunt buffalo. It was too horrible to look at, but you couldn't look away. Tom smiled a feral smile; he wanted her to realize what Janet paid. "I took everything that she had left. I took her body, her dignity and even her pride. I call her my whore and I treat her like one, and she will always be treated like one. I can make her raise her skirts on the main street of town and do anything I want with her. Shall I show you how well I have her trained?" Tom watched as Nana shook her head violently. He smiled again, "That was for a thousand dollars. Well, I did throw in the lives of the gamblers and the man that took advantage of her, but that was as much for me as for her." Tom watched as she came to terms with something that she had no control over. He sat and sipped the drink that he had poured and waited until she once again was looking at him and waiting. Tom put the glass back on the table, "So she paid the debts with everything that she had and when we got here do you know what we found? We found that the mercantile holds a debt for about two hundred dollars. That appears to be food and necessary things for Magnolia house, and that appears to be quite understandable. We also found that Victoria has debts at the dress shop, the seamstress and the leather shop totaling more than four hundred dollars. We found that Randolph has debts at the tailor, and the boot shop totaling almost three hundred dollars and more than a thousand dollars in gambling debts. All total it comes to about two thousand dollars." Nana gasped and shook her head. Tom watched her closely and knew that she didn't have a clue as to what had been going on. Tom looked at her and said, "She sold everything but her soul for a thousand dollars and now she finds out that that her sister and brother have plunged her even deeper into debt. You saw what she said. She doesn't have anything left to bargain with, and she is tired of fighting the debt. She has turned to over to me to handle, as I see fit. Now you heard her say that I could kill them both and be done with it, but that might be too extreme. But, they will be taught a hard lesson and if they don't live through it, well, I guess that is life. Where do you stand Nana? Will I have to fight you the whole way?" Tom waited for Nana to come to terms with his decision. He saw when she had made up her mind. "Master Tom, I'm a slave, I don't have no voice here. If you say that they die, well then, they die. I will do as I am told as I have always done." Tom shook his head, "No Nana. You don't get off that easy. There are a thousand things that you could do, because I didn't tell you that you couldn't. I know that you are much smarter than that. What I need to know is, whose side are you on?" Nana frowned and pressed her lips tightly together as she thought. "Master Tom. You helped Miss Janet when nobody else would, you killed the bad men that hurt her, and you have faced your duties like a good and decent man. You say they need a hard lesson, and I agree with you. I have watched those two get wilder every year. If they don't live through the lesson, well there is a lot of slaves that don't live through the lessons that the master teaches. I guess it is about the same thing." Tom smiled and nodded his head. Tom spoke softly and with a lot of concern, "Nana, I didn't tell you the story about Janet so you could feel sorry for her, but to make you understand why she gave this to me to handle. I don't think it would be a good idea for her to know, that you know about her past. If she wants to tell you, then that is her choice, otherwise consider it as a learning lesson. Do I need to slap you upside the head first?" Tom smiled as Nana burst into laughter. "No master Tom, I think that I can get this one right without you getting my attention." Tom smiled and motioned her to leave. She quietly left the parlor and closed the door on the way out. She thought that the new master was very different and she was curious as to what changes he would be bringing to the house. It still hurt for her to look at him, but at least she didn't fear him. That night at dinner Tom got to meet Janet's brother and sister. They were both excited to have their sister back, but they didn't seem too happy about the other changes, especially her husband. Tom took it all in and let Janet enjoy her time with her family. He ignored the obvious looks and waited. He knew that those looks would soon be a lot worse. He took the time to study the two. Randolph was obviously the older and Tom guessed him to be sixteen or seventeen. He had been using a razor for a while and Tom thought that he could stand to use it a little more often. His wild shock of hair looked like an unruly mess of dark brown curls that needed to be trimmed back. Tom noticed that he drank wine like water and had already developed a soft roll around his waist. Tom thought that he could be handsome, if he could ever learn to wipe the sneer from his face. Victoria was another matter, she couldn't be more than sixteen but she was already beautiful and she knew it. She had bright blue eyes and flowing blonde tresses that hung down to her waist. She took every opportunity to shake her head, and pitch her hair back over her shoulders. Her breasts weren't large, but they weren't small either. He considered them a nice firm handful. He could tell easily that she carried no excess fat, but she wasn't skinny. She looked trim and firm everywhere. As Tom looked at her he remembered Sally Perkins, and wondered if she still considered herself to be the same beauty that she did seven years, and five kids later. Well it had been five kids. It might now be seven if she stayed true to form he mused. She had been a favorite on the wagon train, and she had been a favorite among the warriors, they had traded her from one to another until she wasn't worth much more than a blanket and an old knife. Her spirit broke sometime in the early days of her trading. She just quit fighting, and it made the price go down quickly. Her beauty was the only thing that had kept her alive. He wondered how long the beautiful Victoria would last. After dinner Tom cleared his throat to get everybody's attention. He noticed that they chose to ignore him until it was obvious that they were the only ones, and only then they grudgingly turned their attention to him. He smiled at them, "Now that everybody has had a chance to visit and get reacquainted, I think that we need to get some business out of the way." Tom noticed the hostile look he got from Randolph, but ignored it. Tom nodded to Robert and he stood up. "This is Robert Cummings, he will be in charge of Magnolia House from now on. When it comes to the plantation, he will be the last word." Tom saw Randolph bristle and calmly waited for what he was sure to come. He didn't have long to wait, "No, he is not in charge of Magnolia house, I am!" Tom saw the fire in the young man's eyes and smiled, as he pulled the deed from the inside pocket of his jacket. He opened it and put it on the table in front of the young man, "No, you're not. This is the deed to Magnolia House and it has my name on it, and not yours. The person in charge here is me, and I will decide who runs this plantation and how it's run." Tom heard Victoria gasp and could see Randolph struggling to keep his temper. He noticed that Randolph looked at Janet and she calmly looked back at him without any trace of concern, or pity. He finally dropped his eyes. Tom folded the deed back up and put it back in his pocket. "So now that we have determined who is in charge here, it brings us to another little matter of the debts that you two have been charging in town." He looked straight at Victoria and noticed that she looked back at him without a care in the world. He shook his head, as he removed the piece of paper that he had been keeping in his side pocket. "As far as Victoria is concerned, the dressmaker, and the seamstress, and the leather works comes to a total of four hundred and sixteen dollars and thirty four cents. That has been paid." Tom turned his attention to Randolph, who had the same sneer on his face that he had earlier. "As to Randolph, the tailor and the boot shop, which total two hundred and ninety six dollars and seventy five cents. Those also have been paid. However, I will not pay the thousand dollars that you owe in gambling debts, nor will the money come from Magnolia house." Tom watched the sneer slip from his face. He watched the young man's face turn a pretty shade of red before he exploded, "You can't do that, I was counting on the sale of the crops to pay those debts. You don't have any right to say that Magnolia House won't pay my debts. Magnolia House has always guaranteed the Thurston's debts." Tom smiled at the young man, "Yes, I'm sure that it has, but you seem to keep forgetting that you don't own Magnolia House any more, and Magnolia House will no longer guarantee any debts of any kind. From now on, we will work on the assumption that if you haven't got the money in your hand then you better not buy it. I have cut off all credit in town, and made it known that Magnolia House will no longer back any debts." He heard the gasp from Victoria and saw the anger flare even hotter in Randolph's face. Tom couldn't believe how much fun he was having. Many times he had paid a lot more than this and never gotten this much in return. He watched as Randolph reached for the riding crop on the table and Tom smiled as he heard the unmistakable sound of a pistol's hammer being cocked. Randolph froze and looked over to see John pointing his pistol at his chest. Tom wondered if he would still do it. It would solve a lot of problems for everybody. Randolph suddenly turned and stomped away. Tom turned his attention to Victoria and waited to see what she was going to do. It seemed to take her more time to come to grips with the situation. "What do you mean that we have to have money in hand to buy anything?" Tom smiled at her. He could see that she dealt only in the here and now, and never in the future. "It is very simple. If you try to charge anything, they will tell you no. If you can't pay for it, then you don't get it." He watched her as she processed the new turn of events. He saw her lower lip start to quiver and smiled. "But, I have to have new dresses and things. You'll just have to give me the money for them." Tom saw that she had worked the problem through, and her solution was that somebody else would just have to pay for the things that she wanted. He smiled at her simple thoughts. "I'm sorry but that won't happen either. You will just have to make do with the dresses that you already have." Tom couldn't believe the look of shock on her face as she heard his answer. He watched as she suddenly stood up with tears running down her face, "I just couldn't be seen in a used dress. You don't understand anything." Then he watched her run from the room. Tom looked around the table at the other faces. None of the warriors had a clue and the women's reactions ranged from disbelief to disgust. Janet simply had no expression. Tom wondered how she was really doing. After another look around the table, Tom motioned that he meeting as over. They all headed off to do their own things. Tom and his girls went out to sit on the porch for a while. Tom made it a point to pull Janet down into his lap. While he snuggled her and nuzzled her neck she softly spoke. "They are terrible, aren't they? They don't care about anything but themselves. I guess that I used to be like that, but since daddy died I haven't had the time to think about anything but saving my home. I guess it is partly my fault; I thought that they would understand and want to help me save Magnolia House, but I was wrong." Tom slid his hand from around her waist up to cup her firm breasts. He heard her gasp as he pinched her nipples. "No Janet, it's not your fault. You did everything that you could. Now they will have to learn that everything has a cost. We will have to see if they are willing to pay the price. You will not leave me alone with Victoria. You will not interfere with anything that I do, but you will be there at all times." Tom felt her nod her head and pulled at her nipples again. He was starting to smell one of his favorite scents as she wiggled in his lap. ------- Chapter 53 Tom decided that it was time for bed. Mei, Su and Janet were in Tom's bedroom and Wei and Jess were sharing a room, beside Toms. Tom didn't know how the others were arranged but he didn't think that it mattered. As it turned out John was beside Tom and Peter was across the hall, with Robert beside him. They positioned themselves so that a person would have to come through all of them to get to Tom. Janet was a little distant, but the other women soon had her forgetting her troubles. They showed her that she was loved and appreciated. Tom drifted off to sleep and was soon cuddled by soft female forms. He woke with the dawn and made his way down to the kitchen. He found Nana directing an army of kitchen slaves, and wondered if it was a normal occurrence, he didn't think it was an efficient utilization of people, but he decided to wait and see. He was greeted to chicory coffee. He wasn't sure that he liked it, but decided to give it a real try before he demanded his coffee. Tom wasn't surprised to see the other warriors and women making their way down to the kitchen. Nana told him that he wouldn't be seeing the children, as they were never up before nine. Tom was stunned at the news but decided that it wasn't his problem. Some of the house slaves were shocked at the women sitting and cuddling with the men at the table, but only whispered between themselves. Tom and the warriors discussed what they wanted to get done that day and Nana intruded into their conversation, "Master Tom, before you can go telling the slaves what to do, you need to talk to Mr. Storey, he's the overseer. He would be right vexed if you started working his slaves without him knowing." Tom looked at Nana and noticed the look on her face. "Tell me about Mr. Storey, Nana." Tom watched as the other house slaves suddenly looked for things to do as far away as they could get, and the information wasn't wasted on him. Nana looked at him hard before she spoke so softly that it was almost a whisper, "He's a mean one, Master Tom. He carries his whip everywhere and looks for any reason to use it. He takes the girls for his pleasure, and if they complain he whips them, too. He even takes the ones that ain't started their time yet. Hell fire master Tom, but he even takes the married women, and if their man complains, he has him tied up outside his house. When he ain't using the woman, he is outside whipping the man. He says that is makes the woman try real hard to keep him happy." Tom looked around the table at the other warriors. There were nods from each of them. Tom turned his attention back to Nana, "You are right Nana, we should see to Mr. Storey before we start any new projects. Now, why don't you get us fed so we can get our day started?" Nana turned and barked out orders and food was quickly on its way to the table. Wei tasted everything that they made and some of it she liked and some she didn't. After breakfast was over Tom heard Wei telling Nana that she was one of Tom's cooks and that she would be fixing their lunch. He saw the concerned expression on Nana's face, but figured that Wei could handle herself. Tom and the warriors left from the back door to go see Mr. Storey. His house was easy to find. It was a small stone cottage set apart from the slave quarters but close to them. It had a low stone wall that surrounded the house. They knew that they had found the right place when they saw the man tied up in front of the house, from a low hanging tree branch. He had been severely beaten and wasn't conscious. Tom nodded to the man and Peter cut him down. One of the other slaves was quick to tell them, "If ya cut'm down Massa Storey will beat 'm again." Tom smiled and shook his head, "I don't think so. Have you got a moss woman that can take care of him?" The young man nodded his head, "Yesa Massa, I'll go fetch her right'way." The young man was off at a run. Tom decided to wait until they had seen to the man and sat on the low wall. It was only a minute before the young man was back and he had an older woman with him. She walked slowly and carried a cloth sack. Tom watched her checking over the man and hissed, "He should have known better and kept his mouth closed." He saw her taking out a salve and covering the open wounds. When she had the wounds covered she motioned to the young man and told him to take him to put him in his bunk, on his stomach. Tom noticed him motion to another man and they each took and arm and carried him away. When Tom turned his attention back on the old woman he found that she was watching him closely. He smiled and raised an eyebrow. She shook her head and just stepped back, but she didn't leave. Tom motioned to the door and Robert walked up and opened it. They found that he was still eating his breakfast. He had a young woman sitting across from him, who obviously wanted to be somewhere else, and two young girls that were acting as his cooks. He glared at the men, "This is my house and you should knock before you come barging in." Tom considered that and said, "You're right we should have knocked, but since you don't live here anymore we didn't think that it mattered." Mr. Storey looked at the men and nodded, "You the new owners?" Tom nodded his head, "That would be me." Mr. Storey nodded his head and continued to eat. Tom thought that he was a pretty cool customer. Tom took the young woman and raised her to her feet, pointed her toward the door and gave her a push. She didn't look back and was gone at a run. Mr. Storey snorted, "You might want to have some of that one yourself. She was a real pleaser." Tom nodded his head, "Yes, I can imagine how hard she tried to keep you inside." Mr. Storey grinned, "Yes, that does seem to work out well." Tom couldn't believe the attitude of the man and made no pretense of understanding him. They heard a noise and all eyes turned to the doorway of the bedroom. They noticed a girl that couldn't have been more than ten. Tom saw her limping and could guess, from the blood on her thighs that her short dress didn't cover, why she was limping. He looked at Mr. Storey for an explanation. Mr. Storey looked at her and shrugged, "She should be back to work in the fields by tomorrow. I'll let her rest today, but by tomorrow she should be fine. Tom nodded to Peter and then the girl, and watched as he gently took her hand and led her outside to the old moss woman. Tom looked hard and spoke quietly, "Storey, I want you off this Plantation by noon, or I'll kill you where I find you." Mr. Storey grinned at Tom, "Boy, don't try to scare me. You ain't enough of a man to do that." Tom's expression never changed as he looked Mr. Storey in the eye, but his hand closed around the handle of his knife. Before anybody had seen what happened, Tom had put it through Mr. Storey's hand, that he had resting on the table, and buried the knife well into the wood. Mr. Storey screamed and looked at his hand pinned to the table. Tom's voice still hadn't changed, "Storey, I wouldn't waste my time trying to scare you, but if I find you on this plantation after noon, I will kill you." Tom jerked the knife hard and it slipped from the wood table and back through Mr. Storey's hand. Tom casually wiped the blade before he slipped it back under his coat. Mr. Storey looked at him with more respect, as he moved to pack what few possessions that he owned. Tom turned to leave and softly said, "Make sure that Mr. Storey is off the plantation by noon, but you can take your time making sure that he leaves." John nodded his head and followed after Mr. Storey. Tom noticed that all of the warriors followed after him. Tom motioned to the two girls that had been cooking for Mr. Story and led them out to the old moss woman. "He won't be needing anybody to cook for him any more either, since he will be gone from here today. But why don't you have the girls cleanup around the outside of the house this morning. They might just feel better after they have everything cleaned up." The old woman looked at him curiously, but nodded her head. Tom knew that the girls would feel better when they saw Mr. Storey leave. Tom headed back toward the main house, and he distinctly heard a scream coming from somewhere in the Storey cottage. It brought a smile to his lips. Tom busied himself going through the accounts for Magnolia House. He found a lot of things that he knew were errors, but he also found some outright theft. He knew who had to have been responsible, but he wasn't sure what he wanted to do about it. He was glad when Wei called him to lunch. It was as good as she had ever made and Tom loved it. Even Nana had to admit that there were some things about cooking that she could learn from Wei. Chinese cooking was something different, but there weren't any complaints. It was well after lunch that Tom was called out onto the porch. When he got there he saw the sheriff and Mr. Storey. Tom nodded to the sheriff and took out his pistol and put a bullet in the head of Mr. Storey. He then turned his attention back to the sheriff, "What can I do for you today sheriff?" The sheriff was still staring at the dead body that had fallen off the back of the horse. He turned his attention back to the young man that had just shot Mr. Storey out of the saddle when he noticed that the pistol that he held was now pointed at him. There were a lot of things that he wanted to do, but he calmed himself, "Young man, I think you better give me that gun and come along with me." Tom smiled at the sheriff as he eased his pistol back into his shoulder holster. As he sat in one of the chairs on the porch Tom casually said, "Just what do you think that you saw sheriff?" The sheriff sputtered a couple of times before he said, "You just killed a man in cold blood. I saw the whole thing." Tom shook his head, "Sheriff, that man is wearing a gun. He started to draw on me, just look beside his body you can see that his gun is out of his holster." The sheriff looked again and saw that his gun was indeed lying beside the body, but he knew that it had fallen there when the body hit the ground. The sheriff sighed, "Now son, that's a good story, but we both know that ain't what happened." Tom smiled and waved at the warriors sitting on the porch, "If you don't believe me sheriff, just ask any of these fine men that saw the whole thing." The sheriff knew what they would say just looking at them, and knew that he would never get a judge to hang this man. The sheriff took another tact, "Why would he ride all the way into town and back out here just to pull a gun?" Tom looked thoughtful, "Well, we ran him off this morning for damaging some of my property. We didn't know at the time that he was a thief, too. I didn't find that out until I was checking the accounts. He probably figured that if he killed me, he would be able to keep his job and keep stealing. I imagine that he brought you along because he didn't think that you would do anything to him, for killing somebody from Washington." The sheriff looked hard at Tom, "Well, you were right to think that I wouldn't have done much about him killing you, but you had better be able to prove to me that he was a thief." Tom smiled and waved the sheriff in the house. He took him into the library and showed him the account books. He pointed out that the books went back to when Senator Thurston was alive and he pointed out the discrepancies. He showed the sheriff the receipts that Mr. Storey had signed and the amounts he took, and there was never any money coming back. Tom suspected that the Senator or his son was keeping the money, but it was never put back in the books. The sheriff shook his head and closed the books. "Okay, you showed me he was a thief and I know that he was a hard on the slaves, so I won't doubt that he did damage your property, but that aint no reason to kill a man." Tom looked at the sheriff and wondered what kind of a man he was. He decided to find out. Tom stood and motioned to the sheriff to follow him. He led him back through the house to the kitchen and found Nana. He whispered to her, "Take the sheriff out to see the girls that Mr. Storey hurt. Make sure that he sees what was done to them." Nana looked hard at Tom and nodded her head. Tom asked the sheriff to go with Nana to see the damages that they were talking about. Tom went back to the porch and sat down to wait. It was almost a half hour later that the sheriff sat heavily in the chair beside him. "I didn't know. I swear that I didn't know what kind of man he was." Tom looked at the sheriff, "These people are slaves, either because they were made slaves, or they were born to it. But everybody should be able to expect some things even if you are a slave; respecting the claim of another man's wife, the safety of your children and the right to defend your house. You might die for any of those things, but you should still have the right to fight. Sheriff, he respected nothing, not from slaves, or white men. He believed he that he could take anything that he wanted and nobody would ever stop him. Well sheriff, when a man takes something from me I will stop him. If any man harms anybody in my house, he can look forward to the same think that Storey got." The sheriff saw the hard look on the young man's face and knew that he as telling the truth. He also knew that being so young there would be a lot of men willing to try. He hoped that the young man was as good as he thought he was. The sheriff stood and tipped his hat before stepping down to his horse and climbing into the saddle. As he rode past Mr. Storey's body he spit, but he never looked back. Tom asked if Robert thought that he could find a few volunteers to put Mr. Storey under the ground. Robert smiled and nodded, "Yea, I think that I can find a few, if you don't care what condition the body is in." Tom looked at him for a minute, "With a bullet in his head I don't think that he would feel it, but if that's what they want to do, then I really don't care." Robert grinned as he walked away. That same afternoon Tom was sitting on the porch reading when her heard horses. He looked up to see two men riding up. Tom called to John, who came out and sat in one of the other chairs. When the men got to the house Tom nodded to them and waited to see what they wanted. He sized up the men and noticed that one was lean, with a hard face. Tom thought he looked something like a weasel with beady eyes and a twitch of his nose. He looked the other man over and saw that he was a little older, but had been living a soft life. He had a serious spread to his stomach. He had muscles at one time, but they had turned to flab now. When they looked to be getting down Tom spoke, "Gentlemen, until you state your business you can just stay in the saddles." Tom watched them freeze and settle back in their saddles. The older man spoke, "That's not very hospitable, sir. I have come to discuss business." Tom looked at the man and frowned, "You still haven't told me your name, or what kind of business that you are talking about." Tom watched the man bristle, but he was staying in his saddle and spoke, "My name is Ed Stark and I'm here to collect a debt against Magnolia House." Tom smiled and shook his head, "I'm sorry to inform you Mr. Stark, but there are no debts against Magnolia House, and I don't owe you anything." He saw Mr. Stark frown. "I accepted markers from Randolph Thurston, who assured me that Magnolia House would guarantee his debts." Tom shook his head again, "Mr. Stark, I will explain this again. I am the owner of Magnolia House, not Randolph Thurston. Magnolia House will not honor any debts, and if Randolph Thurston owes you money, I suggest that you talk to him about it." Tom saw the frustration in the man's face. "You know that young Randolph could have an accident, if his debts aren't paid." Tom grinned and even Mr. Stark understood that grin. "Mr. Stark if you want to kill the little bastard, then help yourself, but I will not pay his debts. Now, you've heard what I have to say on the matter. You are no longer welcome here; please leave." Tom watched the disbelief pass and anger set in. He saw Mr. Stark's hand drop to his gun and they heard the cocking of a pistol. When they looked over at John they saw that he had his pistol pointing at Ed Stark's chest. Mr. Stark smiled and tipped his hat. Then they turned their horses and rode back the way they came. John slipped his pistol back in his holster, "Think they'll kill him?" Tom shrugged, "Don't know, and don't care. As long as I don't do it, I don't have to answer for it. It's not my responsibility to pay his debts. He'll have to learn to handle those things on his own." John looked at him and shrugged before he went back into the house. It was three days later that the freight wagon pulled in from Richmond. It had been a slow trip for the heavy wagon. Peter was beside himself with joy that the boiler and piping had arrived. He had the slaves unloading the wagon back behind the house. Tom had noticed the new building being added to the rear of the house, but like most things he didn't worry, figuring it would be resolved without him. He saw that the boiler was being moved into the new room. After thinking about it for a long time, Tom asked Peter why they needed a new room when there were so many in the house. Peter smiled, "Well, we decided to send some hot water to the slave quarters and Mei and Su have been getting things ready to start a laundry. They have even been training some of the house slaves to do the job. Tom could see that they had all been giving things a lot more thought than he had. He left them to their jobs. Tom caught up with John and asked him where Randolph was spending his time. After John admitted that he didn't know Tom suggested that he find out as he still expected trouble from him. John nodded and said that he would follow the boy when he left. Tom wasn't surprised when Victoria came to see him, in the library. Tom noticed that Janet followed her in and waited by the closed door. She didn't say anything but she was watching everything. Tom smiled that she had taken his request seriously. "I need a new dress. Charlotte is having a party and I need a new dress to attend." She looked at him expectantly. He looked back at her and asked, "What's wrong with wearing one of the many that you already have?" She looked at him as though she wasn't sure if he was serious or not. "You can't wear a used dress to a party. For every day, you can wear a dress as many times as you want, but when you go to a party you have to have a new dress." She looked at him as though that explained everything. Tom nodded and asked, "Well, what that means is that you want a new dress, not that you need a new dress. So, my question is, how do you plan to pay for it?" Tom waited calmly as she thought about it. "I don't understand. You said that we had to pay for dresses now, because we couldn't charge them. So I'm telling you that I need a dress and you have to give me the money." She looked at him expectantly. Tom smiled at her, "Well, I see that you did understand some of the things that I said. So, let's try again. Just because you want something doesn't mean that I have to give you money. If you want money then I suggest that you go and earn some money." She looked at him, not quite comprehending what it was that he said, or not quite believing. "I don't work, that is for slaves, not decent white women." Tom grinned and said, "Well, the dressmaker is a decent white woman and she works, and the seamstress is a decent white woman and she works, too. If it is good enough for them, it should be good enough for you. Find a job and earn your own money." She stared at him and said, "You want me to be a dressmaker? I don't know how to sew, the slaves do all of the sewing." Tom shrugged, "I never said that you had to be a dressmaker or a seamstress, I just said to find a job. Find something that you can do that other people will pay you to do and sell it to them. It's as simple as that." She stared at him before she stomped her foot and turned and stomped out of the room, and slammed the door. Tom looked at Janet, "How long do you think it will take before she understands?" Janet shook her head, "I'm not sure that she ever will. She has always been given everything, and her beauty has had men falling all over her since she was a baby. I'm not sure that she can face the fact that life will continue even if she doesn't get the things that she wants." Tom sadly shook his head. "Oh, she will face the facts; it's just a matter of how hard I shove her nose in them." Tom took Janet in his arms and walked her over to the chair and pulled her into his lap. He kissed and nibbled her neck as she purred. After her desire was in full flow he held her hands in her lap and said, "I will not support your brother and sister for the rest of their lives. Your sister will get married, get a job, or die trying. Your brother I'm not sure of yet, but I will see what can be done with him." Janet nodded her head and slipped from Tom's lap and onto the floor in front of him. As she took his hard cock from his pants she pulled her dress up to her waist. She slipped his hard cock in her mouth and buried her finger in her wet pussy. She started purring again as she felt his shaft against the back of her throat. Tom shivered at the sensations and thought that this was the way to spend an afternoon. Over the next few days Tom didn't see either of the Thurston children. Even though they weren't that much younger than he was, he still considered them children. Tom continued to spend his days going over the books and planning for the harvest, or at least the proceeds of the harvest and how he would need to invest the money. Tom was surprised when John slipped into the library. He watched as John sat in a chair and sighed. "The Thurston boy is spending all of his time with a man named Jacob Fenning. Fenning is an associate of the gambler Ed Stark, and the one that come to the house with him. They are spending every day shooting pistols, at least the boy is, Fenning is teaching him." Tom thought about it for a while, "Is he any good?" John shrugged his shoulders, "I wouldn't worry too much about it. They are using some old muzzle loaders, and they set up targets at about fifty feet. They never change the distance or practice drawing, just shooting at the target." Tom considered why these things seemed important. He knew that there was something important but he just couldn't figure it out. He wanted to take some time and think, and asked John to leave him alone. It was a strange request to John, but he knew the look and he knew better than to ask. He quietly left the library. Tom didn't come out of the library for the rest of the day, or go to bed that night. The next morning all of his women marched into the library and demanded to know what was happening. Tom looked at them and ordered them from the room, and told them not to bother him again until he left. They were surprised at the harsh order, but knew enough not to argue with him. They quietly left the library. Other than food and visits to the outhouse, Tom stayed in the library all that day and night as well. The girls were starting to get worried when they found Tom in the kitchen drinking coffee and talking to Nana. He seemed like his old self and they swarmed all over him. He apologized for treating them rudely, but explained that when he had something important to think about he didn't like to be interrupted. Tom went to find Peter and asked him to make a box. He explained what he wanted and how he wanted it to look. Peter raised his brows, but assured Tom it would be easy enough. Tom then explained what he wanted the box for and what he wanted Peter to put in the box. He grinned and asked if he got to play too. Tom shook his head and asked how soon he could get the box ready. Peter thought about it for a minute and said, "I can have everything ready in two days." Tom nodded his head and slapped him on the arm, "Keep this quiet, even from the warriors." Peter didn't look happy about that, but he nodded his head. Now that he had a plan and the tools to carry it out, he dismissed the situation. He would ignore it, until it played itself out. ------- Chapter 54 It was Tuesday when Victoria made another appearance. Janet once again followed her into the library and closed the door. Victoria didn't seem happy to have her sister watching the events. She stood before Tom sitting at the desk. "Charlotte's party is on Saturday. I need to be fitted by Wednesday, or they won't have time to make my dress." Tom looked at her and expected her to continue, but she just stood there. "I still don't see why you are coming to me. I explained all of this to you. If you want a dress then you have to earn the money to pay for it." Victoria looked frustrated, "I don't have any way to earn money. I can't do anything that people will pay me for. Women of my station are not expected to work. Why can't you understand that, and just give me the money?" Tom shook his head, "Victoria, women of any station can earn money, or get married and have somebody else support them. Those are your options." Victoria looked at Tom with new interest, like she hadn't considered that option. "Well, then I have to have a new dress. How can I attract a husband without going to the party? And to go, I have to have a new dress." She smiled at the simple logic. Tom smiled back at her, "Victoria, I still don't think that you understand, I don't care if you get married or not. I don't care if you go to this party or any other party. These things are not important to me, and I will not buy you a dress. You will find a way to earn the money, or you won't get a dress. That is the way that it is, and it will stay just like that." Tom saw the tears leaking from her eyes, but it didn't affect him in the least. He calmly waited until she realized that her tears wouldn't do the job. She came to that conclusion quickly, "What do I have to do to earn the money?" Tom looked at her, "That depends on how much you are talking about, and what you are willing to do." Victoria thought that she had finally found the answer to the money problem. "Well, enough to buy a new dress, and I'll do anything that a lady of my station would do." She smiled at her success, but Tom wasn't so easily taken in. "Well Victoria, that could be reasonable but that could still cover a lot of ground. I guess that we will have to determine the amount that you will need to buy a dress." Tom looked at the dressmaker's bill and then handed it to her. "You can see that she charged you different amounts, but it was usually about fifty dollars. So can we agree that you are trying to get fifty dollars?" Victoria looked up from the bill and considered this. It sounded reasonable and she was sure that for fifty dollars she could get everything that she would need, maybe even two dresses. She nodded her head. Tom then explained, an Overseer gets twenty five dollars a month. Can you be an overseer, and are you willing to work for two months to repay the money?" Victoria gasped, "An overseer? A lady does not oversee slaves. I said something of my station." Tom grinned, "Well a maid only gets four dollars a month, and that would take you about a year to pay back. Do you have any ideas on what you could do that is of your station?" Victoria frowned. She refused the whole idea of being a maid, but she didn't have any idea what she could do. She looked at her sister for help, but none came. She was suddenly struck with an idea. She smiled big and said, "I will do the same things that Janet did to earn the money to pay father's debt. She is a woman of my station, and if she could do it, I'm sure that I can too." Tom was shocked for a minute, but considered the idea. He looked at the stunned expression on Janet's face and silently enquired what she thought. Janet knew what he was asking, but she didn't have a clue as to what to tell him. Tom turned his attention back on the triumphant smile on Victoria's face. "Okay, I know that you can do it, but is that what you really want? Are you really willing to sell it for a party dress?" Tom watched her reaction and knew that she had no idea what he was talking about. He waited for her to ask what he was talking about, but she just nodded her head, the smiled never leaving her face. Tom sadly shook his head, "Okay, let's get this done with. Get your clothes off." Tom watched the shocked expression hit her and she suddenly turned and looked at her sister Janet. Janet was blushing, but she met her searching eyes and nodded her head. Victoria looked back at Tom and shook her head. Tom smiled at her, "Then, I guess that we are finished here. You can leave now." Victoria suddenly realized that she was losing the only, hard earned advantage that she had won. There were many thoughts competing for her attention. How important was this dress and this party, she knew that they were the most important things in her life, they were her life. Was she willing to do what he wanted for them? Her sister had done what he wanted. How far was she willing to go? She suddenly realized that everything boiled down to those two questions. How important was it, and how far was she willing to go to get it? Suddenly everything made sense to her and she smiled again as she reached to the buttons at her throat. It was all so simple; if it was the most important thing in her life, then was there anything that she wouldn't do; no. Tom watched as she slowly, but confidently unbuttoned the buttons of her dress. Tom watched as each button came undone and exposed a little more of the creamy skin of this beauty. He sat back and picked up the glass from his desk. It was still held everything that Tom had poured in it, which wasn't much as Tom was not a big drinker. He saw it as liquid fire and it worked well to keep him awake and focused, when his mind started to wander. He now used it distract himself from the promises that Victoria was making, but he doubted that she could live up to. Tom motioned to Janet, who came to him quickly. He pulled her down into his lap and openly groped her breasts, and pulled at her suddenly hard nipples. Janet was distracted herself. She was seeing her beautiful sister slowly stripping off her clothes, for the entertainment of her husband. She couldn't believe the rush of excitement that slammed into her from the thought alone. Tom's fingers only fueled the fire that was raging in her loins. Victoria watched closely as Tom pulled and twisted Janet's obviously hard nipples. It did something to her that had never happened before. Not when she wasn't alone in her bed in the darkness. It made her body tingle all over and she relished the feeling. With each button she opened she felt the cool breeze caress her skin, and it fanned the flames building in her. Tom was enjoying the show. He could feel and smell Janet's excitement. Her breathing was increasing and he knew that she would be panting soon. It seemed that she found this very exciting and Tom wondered if she would be able to keep her skirts down before Victoria bared her own womanly charms. As Victoria unbuttoned the last button, she was depressed; she wished there had been more, just to keep feeling the fire racing through her body. She slipped her dress off of her shoulders and down to her waist. Then she had to do a little shimmy to get the tight dress over her hips. She had never done these things in front of anybody else, and she realized that it added heat to the fires racing through her veins. Tom watched as her petticoats followed quickly. That suddenly left her with a corset that had to be unlaced. It was not exciting watching a woman struggle with two foot of lacing and trying to pull it back through about a hundred little holes. Tom leaned close to Janet, "Want me to cut it off of her?" Janet suddenly remembered the excitement of when he had cut her corset off, it had been the last time that she had worn one and she didn't miss the things at all. She even secretly thanked Tom for forbidding her to wear one again. She softly answered, "No, I want her to work for this. I want her to the earn everything that she gets." Tom was surprised at her answer and the fire behind it, but he guessed that she had her reasons. Janet watched Victoria struggle with the corset laces and knew that it would take her some time to do it alone. Janet relished the idea that 'little Miss Perfect' had to struggle with the same things in life that the rest of them had to put up with. Janet was always considered very beautiful, at least until her sister had come along. From the day she was born, her beauty cast a shadow over everybody else. Beautiful women were suddenly average, and Victoria accepted the homage of all of her suitors as her due. Even as a toddler Janet remembered the tantrums that she threw if she didn't get her way. But, she always got her way, as soon as she smiled and pleaded. Janet never realized how much she resented her beautiful sister, until she saw her brought down a peg, and she suddenly hoped that Tom brought her down many more pegs. It would be nice to think that she would be able to see the world from the same height as the rest of them. Victoria was almost out of breath from fighting the laces of the corset, but she finally had them opened far enough that she could wiggle it over her hips. She didn't notice that her medium sized breasts were wiggling and gigging in a delightful way, but Tom did. He thought that maybe a corset did have one redeeming feature. By the time the corset was on the floor Victoria's nipples were a hard as iron and pointing up in the air. Tom noticed that the direction that a woman's nipples pointed, told you how old she was; young girls like Victoria pointed up and women like Janet pointed out, and the older women pointed down. It wasn't much more than a passing thought as Tom watched Victoria turn her attention to her pantaloons. She hesitated for a moment, but they quickly joined the rest of her clothes on the floor. When she faced Tom she was breathing hard. Tom took his lips from Janet's neck and said, "Shoes?" Victoria looked confused for a minute before she looked down at her small boots. She frowned for a minute and wondered why she didn't start with her boots. She quickly sat in one of the chairs facing the desk and started working on the buttons on her boots. Tom enjoyed the view that she was providing as she struggled with the little buttons. Janet gasped as she saw the pink wetness peeking at her when Victoria moved in a certain way. Tom noticed what had Janet's attention and timed his next pull of her nipples with a movement that would give her the best view. It was too much for Janet as her pleasure peaked and she let a soft moan escape her lips. Victoria didn't notice the sound, but Tom couldn't miss it, or the meaning behind it. With Victoria as naked as the day she was born, she turned her attention back to Tom. She saw her sister with a glassy expression and wondered what he had done to her. Tom helped Janet to stand and then moved around the desk to stand behind Victoria. He saw her tense as he put his hands on the swell of her hips. He leaned down and whispered in her ear, "You don't have to do this. You can leave at any time. Nobody here is forcing you to do anything." Victoria heard his words and knew that they were true. She also felt his warm, moist breath on her ear and shivered as more heat joined the fire racing through her body. She knew what she was doing was wrong, but she didn't care, and even if she did, she wanted what she was promised Victoria leaned back against him as his hands moved up to cup her firm breasts, breasts that had never been touched by another person. His fingers found her sensitive nipples and she wondered why they were so hard. Tom didn't wonder, he just pinched and rolled them between his fingers. Victoria felt pleasure like she had never felt before. The fires that had been racing through her were nothing more than a match, compared to the inferno that suddenly flared to life in her wet pussy. She moaned and closed her eyes as she tried to deal with all of the wonderful sensations coursing through her body. Tom smiled knowingly as he looked at Janet. He saw the hunger in her eyes and knew it for what it was, but he knew that Vitoria wasn't ready to face that demon just yet. Janet noticed Tom shake his head and knew that she would have to wait, but she vowed that one day she would bring her perfect sister down a peg or two, and make her beg like the rest of the women. Tom kept working her nipples with one hand as he slipped his other down to the wet opening between her legs. He also leaned down and started nibbling on her ear and neck. Victoria was so flooded with emotions that she didn't know what was happening to her. If she had, she might have run while she still could. With his eyes and a quick motion of his hand Janet understood what Tom wanted and quickly raced around the desk. While his hands continued to bring Victoria closer to heaven, Janet worked furiously to get Tom clothes off. She had the important pieces out of the way and then started on the rest. She didn't know how much time that she had, and wanted to be ready if he needed to move quickly. She took the opportunity to sneak a feel of Victoria's breasts and hard nipples. The excitement that caused almost had her creaming on her hand again. She couldn't believe how many times she had cum since Victoria started stripping. It amazed and thrilled her, and she knew that Mei and Su had been just like her, when Tom had brought her home. She wondered how they had managed to stay away from her for so long. She wanted more than anything to get her mouth on Victoria and reduce her to a pile of satisfied woman flesh. She thought it strange, but realized that it was more important to her that the other woman was satisfied rather than herself. Tom could tell when Victoria was getting close; her breathing sounded like a steam engine struggling up a steep hill. He listened closely to the little sighs and soft moans that escaped from her lips. When he was sure that she was almost at the peak, he gently pushed her down over the desk. She didn't put up any resistance, but moaned her displeasure at losing the hands making her nipples happy. Tom noticed that Janet already had his hard cock wet and ready. She pulled him close behind the unknowing girl and lined him up for a smooth and easy penetration. Tom got a firm hold on Victoria's hips, and with a mighty shove he tore through her maidenhead and buried half of his cock in her hot tunnel. Victoria's head popped up and she froze. Tom waited, not moving until she slowly slumped back down. Janet was whispering things to her. Tom wasn't sure what she was saying but he suspected it would be advice on what was happening and what to expect. He wasn't that far off. Janet remembered her own time of losing her virginity and knew what Vitoria was feeling. She told her how to deal with it and what she could expect now that the worst was over. Vitoria hoped that she right, because if it all felt like this, she knew that she didn't want any part of it. When she had relaxed a little, Tom started with slow little movements. Just a tiny back and forth motion, that got larger and deeper as time continued. Victoria felt the first movement and tensed for the pain, but it wasn't there. It didn't feel good, but it didn't hurt either. She felt the motion continue to increase in both speed and depth. It still didn't do anything for her and she wondered if Janet had lied to her, just to make her feel better. When Tom was moving her back and forth Victoria noticed that her breasts were rolling back and forth and raised up a little. As soon as her nipples cleared the desktop and scraped against the desk a world of sensation suddenly flooded her. She suddenly felt everything at the same time, and it all felt wonderful. No, not wonderful, but something even better than wonderful and it kept getting better. Her nipples were suddenly throbbing and pulsing on her chest and her little pleasure bump was vibrating and pulsing, sending waves of pleasure raging through her body. She didn't know that she could feel pleasure from up inside her, but the realization wasn't overly surprising to her. Anything that could hurt that much had to be able to give tremendous pleasure and it was sure starting to live up to her expectations. She started to quiver where she stood and a strange sound started to come from her lips. She knew that there was nothing she could do about it, and she really didn't care. As far as she was concerned, the world could come in and watch. Tom heard the sound and noticed it was getting louder. He didn't want a bunch of people coming to find out what was going on and motioned to Janet to quiet her sister. Janet realized the problem and didn't give it a second thought as she pulled her finger from her leaking pussy and shoved it into Victoria's mouth. Victoria instinctively started to suck but never opened her eyes. With all of the sensations washing through her body she didn't even notice the added taste assaulting her taste buds. That one action pushed Janet over the top again. She wondered if she was going to live through this afternoon. Tom kept plowing Victoria harder and faster until she suddenly froze and screamed around the finger in her mouth. Tom plowed her hard a couple of more times and let loose what felt like a raging river of cum. Victoria felt the new assault on her battered pussy and collapsed on the desk. As she dropped boneless to the desk Janet smiled and wished that her first time had been like that. Tom eased his hard cock from the tight sucking pussy and eased himself back into the chair. Janet was not going to miss this opportunity and quickly buried his slimy cock deep into her mouth. She relished the flavors and the smells that she was experiencing and wished they could go on forever. She realized that Victoria's pussy had an exquisite flavor, and she frowned as she thought 'Miss Perfect has to have the perfect pussy'. She pushed those thoughts out of her mind and concentrated on the pleasure that she was receiving. Victoria slowly became aware of the world around her and looked to see Janet hungrily sucking Tom's hard cock. She knew where it had been and was surprised to see her perfect sister obviously enjoying something that she should have found disgusting. Victoria decided that there was more to this sex thing than she had thought, and she was determined not to miss out on anything that she didn't have to. She would try anything, no matter how disgusting it sounded and see if she liked it. If her sister could find that exciting, then there was no telling what else might be waiting for her. Tom slipped his clothes back on. He looked at Victoria still lying across the desk and she looked to him. He wasn't sure what was in her eyes, but he knew that she didn't seem upset at what had happened. Tom took out one gold square and put it on the desk in front of her. "That is gold, and it's worth fifty dollars. Think about what it cost you and decide if this is how you want to earn a living." Tom left the women to get cleaned up. Victoria considered his words as she held the gold piece. She knew that she would have to think about things a lot more. She stood up and reached for her pantaloons. As she was pulling them up she felt something leaking out of her and she hated that feeling and she grimaced. Janet noticed the look and raised an eyebrow at her. Victoria couldn't help looking around before she answered, "Something is starting to leak out and it feels disgusting." Janet looked at her for a minute then stepped up to her and shocked and surprised her as she deftly plunged her middle finger deep into her leaking pussy. Victoria was so shocked that she just froze in place and watched as Janet looked at the slimy mess and then popped her finger into her mouth and sucked it clean. Victoria just stood there looking as she couldn't believe that she had seen what she thought she did. Janet noticed the look and quickly plunged her finger back into the still leaking hole. Victoria felt her stir her finger all around and get it covered completely before she pulled it back out. This time she looked at it and pushed it into Victoria's mouth. She was so stunned that she just stood there. Janet raised her other hand and closed her mouth around the intruding finger and when she started to slide her finger in and out Victoria couldn't help herself from sucking on it. That was when the taste hit her. It wasn't unpleasant, but it wasn't great either. But, it did something to her, something that caused her whole pussy to tingle and throb. With each throb and tingle the taste got more exciting until she was slurping and sucking with abandon. She didn't want to stop when Janet tried to pull her finger back out of her mouth, and she moaned at the loss. Janet took Victoria's finger and guided it to her leaking pussy, and she realized that she had more of the fluid as she plunged her own finger deep into her weeping hole. As she sucked the exciting nectar from her finger she looked to see Janet sitting in a chair watching her. She suddenly felt embarrassed, but she couldn't make herself stop. "Guess I'm a real slut, but I can't seem to stop myself." Janet smiled at her. She had harbored feelings about her sister from the day she was born, and seeing her like this was a sweet victory in itself. "It's not something that you will want to tell your friends about." That hit Victoria like a bucket of cold water. He eyes got big and her knees suddenly gave out. Janet was surprised at the reaction and quickly moved to help her. Victoria was holding her face in her hands crying when Janet took her in her arms, "I know that somebody as perfect as you could never understand why I did this, but I had to." Janet was stunned, "What do you mean as perfect as I am?" Victoria gave a short vicious laugh, "For as long as I can remember, I have been trying to live up to you. I followed you into town and watched the men fall all over themselves when you were around; they never even saw me. I listened to them telling each other how beautiful you were. Then you got to go with daddy to Washington and go to all of those exotic Washington parties, and meet all of those important people. Now, you are married to a rich, successful and very handsome man. And what am I doing? I'm still here in little Dearing, selling myself just to be able to go to Charlotte's party. You would never understand how I feel." Janet couldn't believe her ears. She pulled Victoria tightly to her breasts and held her as she cried. She couldn't help wondering if she was dreaming. She didn't want to believe that her sister really felt the way she said, but she could understand that things were always different from where you were looking. Janet decided it was time to free her demons. "Victoria sweetheart, I want you to listen to me, and believe what I tell you." Janet heard her sniff a couple of times before she quieted down, and just held on to Janet like a lifeline in a storm. Janet spoke softly, "I used to be the most beautiful girl in Dearing, and then you were born. From the first day I knew that you were much more beautiful that I was, and there wasn't a thing that I could do about it. I watched everybody fall all over themselves just for you. You had daddy wrapped around your little finger, just like I did before you came along. It didn't take long to see that I had been cast aside. I watched as you got new dresses and I was told I didn't need one. I watched as they threw parties for you, and when I went to parties I had to listen to how beautiful my little sister was. I learned to hate you as much as I loved you. The only time I was happy was when I was in Washington. There I was the beautiful sister again." Janet took a deep breath and wiped her eyes, "Yes, Washington was perfect. I loved being in Washington and going to parties and having young men buzzing around me like flies to honey. When daddy died I found out just what good any of that was. Those same young men didn't even know who I was. The older men, that I had always respected, offered to put me up as their mistress. Only one young man offered to help me." Janet barked a bitter laugh. Victoria watched as Janet took a deep breath and calmed herself, "He said that he would pay daddy's gambling debts, and marry me; and that would mean that he would get Magnolia House. He demanded that I show him what kind of wife I would be." Janet grinned down at Victoria, and Victoria felt the anger in her and wondered why she was so mad, Janet shook her head, "No that isn't true, here I'm making it sound too nice. He told me that he was going to fuck me. Not a tryst, or make love, just plain old fuck, and that is just what he did. If he had been better, I might have enjoyed it. As it was it was just painful, and each day he called me back to use me again. After three days I decided that I had fulfilled my part and it was time for him to do his. When I told him that, he laughed and threw me out. He said that 'I wasn't worth it, even with Magnolia House thrown into the bargain. It left me feeling just about a beautiful as a mud-puppy. It wasn't three days before most of Washington knew what he had done. Nobody would receive me, and I realized that I had given away the only thing that I still had to offer." Janet looked down at the sad eyes of Victoria. She smiled at her as she ran her fingers across her cheeks and brushed her hair back over her ear. "It's okay sweetheart, it's in the past now. I'm still mad about it, but it can't hurt me any more, not any more then he can." Janet pulled her closer and held her tighter, "Then I was at the bottom. I had nothing else left and everybody knew that I was damaged goods. My reputation was bad and getting worse, and I still needed help. If I couldn't get the money for daddy's gambling debts they were going to take Magnolia House. That means that they would take everything, and you and Randolph would be out on the streets, with me. I couldn't let that happen, and I had just heard of a rich young man that paid good money for things people knew. I couldn't imagine what type of man would do things like that, but I was desperate." Janet noticed that Victoria was raptly listening and she looked interested in her story. Janet smiled at the thought of the next part of the story to come, "That was when I met Tom. I found out that he was a hard man. He didn't leave me much in the telling of my story, and he was so honest that it hurt, but it was the truth. He listened and warned me what my life would be like, and like a fool I didn't listen. I only heard what I wanted to hear. We made an agreement and he lived up to his end, and then it was my turn to live up to mine. That was when I found out that I should have listened to his warnings. I still would have done the same things, but I wouldn't have made a fool out of myself doing it." Janet knew that she couldn't go into her life with Tom without telling Victoria more than she was willing, at the moment. "Maybe another day I will tell you what my life has been like since then." Victoria looked like she wanted to protest, but she knew that Janet deserved a few secrets of her own. Suddenly she started to laugh, and Janet looked at her expecting some cutting remark. What she got was even more disturbing. Victoria looked at her and said, "We have spent our lives jealous of each other, and sold our virtues cheap. We are nothing but a pair of sluts, and if we are honest about it we enjoy being sluts." Janet looked at her and nodded, "Yes, you are right as far as you go. I know what I am, but you still have to make that choice. You don't have to travel the same road that I did. You can still live a different life." Victoria stood and helped Janet up. She plunged two fingers deep into the still weeping pussy and stirred them around. When she pulled them from her wet hole she put one in her mouth and sucked it clean. She then offered the other to Janet. Janet raised her eyebrow and looked at her sister, and then she took the offered finger and sucked it clean. Victoria said, "I might not have as much choice as you think. The only question is; how well I can hide what I am?" Janet sighed and shook her head. ------- Tom and John escorted the girls into town. While Victoria visited the dressmaker, with her gold tightly clutched in her handbag, Tom took the girls to the Mercantile. They looked over everything, but found little that they wanted. Tom picked up some supplies for Magnolia House and John wandered into different shops along the main street. When the girls got bored, they headed back to the dressmaker's shop to wait for Victoria. Tom and John finished wandering through the town and ended up at the saloon. John suggested a beer and Tom nodded. They casually strolled up to the bar and John ordered two beers. As they leaned against the bar and drank their beers they listened to the local news, and general gossip. Tom wondered if he could cut some expenses in Washington by sending the men into taverns and picking up the local gossip there. They had just finished their beers and were trying to decide if they wanted to wander around town a little more when a big man roughly pushed Tom down the bar. Tom turned to look at him and waited to see where this was heading. He knew that John was poised for trouble. Tom nodded his head at the big man, "Excuse me, I didn't see you there." The big man sneered at Tom, "You the new owner of Magnolia House?" Tom nodded his head. The big man grinned and said, "I hear that you have an opening for an overseer. I might just take the job." Tom looked him over again before he shook his head slowly, "Nope, I've already got a man in that position. We don't need anybody right now." The big man grinned wider, "I didn't ask if you needed anybody, I said that I would take the job." He laughed loudly and a few others joined in. Tom knew that this wasn't going to end peacefully, and quietly motioned John to move away. When he turned his attention back to the big man he saw that he had the leather loop removed from his gun. Tom smiled as he realized that the man came looking for trouble. Tom smiled at the big man, "Well, the job isn't yours to take, so you'll need to look someplace else." Tom casually leaned against the bar. He obviously moved his coat back behind him showing that he wasn't wearing a gun. It also put his knife handle in his hand. The big man noticed that he wasn't wearing a gun and grinned. "Now sonny, that don't seem like the right way to be talking to your betters. You are gonna need me working for you, or that pretty little girl is gonna end up a widow." Tom grinned back and shook his head, "She might end up a widow either way, but I think it would happen faster if I had a snake like you living in my house." The saloon turned deathly quiet. The big man's smile dropped from his face and he snarled, "Open your mouth again and I'll make her a widow right now." Tom grinned and said, "What was it that you didn't like? Being called a snake, or the idea that you would shoot me in the back as soon as it was turned?" The big man stood and trembled as his face turned red. Tom waited and watched as he turned. When he reached for his gun Tom's hand flew out and grabbed his wrist, holding his gun down while he stabbed up with his knife. The long blade easily went from the stomach up to his heart. With a savage twist and a little flick of the wrist he knew that the man was dead even before he started to fall. As the big man began his drop Tom eased his hand down and let the pistol come up into his hand. He then turned his attention to the room. He noticed two men reaching for a gun. Tom cocked the pistol and the first shot entered the center of his chest. Tom didn't have a chance to shoot the second one as John put a bullet in his forehead and the back of his head exploded painting everybody behind the man in grey matter. Tom and john scanned the room looking for any others that might want to join the party. There were no other takers. Tom looked at the young boy cleaning out spittoons, "Go get the sheriff." The boy looked at the bartender and then was out the door like a shot. Tom turned to the bartender, "Can we expect any more trouble?" The bartender looked around the room critically before he shook his head. Tom watched him turn his head and spit a mouthful of tobacco before he said, "Nope, I think that's about enough trouble for anybody." Tom nodded his head in agreement. When the sheriff arrived he wasn't surprised that there had been trouble, but he was surprised at the outcome. He looked over the troublemakers and shook his head. He pointed at the big man, "That there is Bobby Bennet, about as mean as a snake and fast with a gun. He has two brothers that are just as mean as he is. It would have been better if you had killed all of them at the same time. They are the type to sneak around and shoot you in the back, on your own land." He pointed to the two sitting at the table, "The other two are just stupid. They were friends of Bobby, if he even knew what the word meant. They weren't the type to do anything on their own, but they were natural followers. They just weren't smart enough to know who to follow." Tom nodded that he understood. He thought for a minute before he asked, "So, where are the Bennet brothers? Which way will they be coming from?" The sheriff considered it before he said, "They got a place about five miles South, so you can expect them to come from the South, or the South-West." Tom nodded his head and looked at John. John smiled and nodded back, and Tom dismissed the whole thing from his mind. The girls were ready to go by the time that Tom and John had finished with the sheriff. They never bothered to tell them about their little saloon excitement, since it was over and done with before the girls even knew it had happened. Tom figured, 'why stir things up?' That night John and Peter rode out a couple of hours after sunset. Tom didn't bother waiting up for them and they were back and in their beds when Tom went own for his morning coffee. Since they were back Tom knew that the Bennet brothers wouldn't be sneaking around the plantation at any time in the future. When the women came down Tom was surprised to see Victoria's blurry eyes among the others. He did notice that she complained about getting up at an uncivilized time, and she didn't want any tea. Janet poured her a cup and told her to drink it. She made a face when she tasted it and pushed it away. Janet pushed it back in front of her and told her to finish it. After a few more complaints, Janet grabbed a handful of hair, pulled her close and whispered hotly in her ear. Tom watched her eyes get big and she gulped once before Janet released her. He noticed that she drank her tea and she wasn't complaining any more. Tom smiled. Victoria also noticed that all of the women were drinking the same tea. She understood now what that really meant, and she realized that these women weren't just maids. It meant that all of these women had a man among Tom's men, and with the number of women it also meant that at least one man had more than one woman. She didn't know who belonged to whom, but she knew that if she kept her eyes open she could probably find out. Since nobody was trying to hide anything, it didn't turn out to be as difficult as she thought. She wondered why she hadn't noticed before. She also wondered what it meant. It was only three days later that the boiler was fired up for the first time. Peter wasn't as good as Wing and they had to chase down leaks in the pipes. The slaves that had been working with Mei and Su had their first actual laundry lesson the next day. They found that it beat a tub and a washboard all to hell. They found that they could do more laundry in one day than they used to do in a week, and it was a lot easier. The bathing tub and wash-sink were installed in one of the back rooms of the house, next to the new boiler room. The new steam room was next to the wash room. When all of the piping for the main house was finished, Peter started in on the run to the slave quarters, and the new communal tub and bathing room. When it was finished Tom and Peter showed Millie, the old moss woman, how the new communal tub worked. The tub was ten feet long by ten feet wide, and three feet deep. All of the seams of the wooden tub were corked and the outside had a fresh coat of tar. They showed Millie the cork stopper for the drain pipe. They stood and watched the boiling water gush into the tub while Tom and Peter took turns on the pump, mounted at the side of the tub. When the hot water ran out they were still pumping cold water to get it a reasonable temperature. When Millie nodded her head they stopped pumping. Tom told her to call all of the women and watched as she gave them a particular look, but she was still a slave and her master had spoken. When all of the women had filled the sides of the room, Tom told them to get in the tub. Millie nodded at him and turned to the women around the room, "You heard the massa, get them shifts off and in the water." Tom couldn't believe the activity that Millie's command caused. Tom wasn't expecting Millie to do the same, but she dropped her shift and eased herself into the hot water. "Oh lordy, this is something these old bones ain't felt in a long time." Tom smiled at her and nodded to Peter. Peter left and returned with five young girls carrying baskets of soap. They started handing out the soap, until it was gone, then they started picking up shifts and putting them in their baskets. When they had all of the shifts they quickly left. They were back a few minutes later carrying clean shifts and setting stacks of them around the room. Millie didn't miss a thing and turned to look at Tom, "How much can we use the tub, massa?" Tom smiled at her. "Every day, if you want to, but there are things that you need to know." They explained that it used a lot of water and couldn't be filled more than once every two hours. Tom suggested letting the men bathe, and go about their business while the women bathed. Tom grinned when he said that then you can leave the little ones in here until it gets too cold for them. Millie laughed, "You's a good man, Massa Tom. We be spoiling the little'uns." Tom grinned back at her, "That's what there for, isn't it?" Millie's eyes flashed and she smiled at him. Tom thought it might have been the first time that he had ever seen her smile. Tom explained that the tub had to be cleaned each time it was used. He also explained that the bathing room was Millie's responsibility, as well as the making of soap. He told her that they had the laundry duties taken care of, and all she had to do was tell them to bring clean clothes. Tom also told her that he wanted at least three sets of clothes for everybody; one they are wearing, one in the washing and one set of spares. He said that if she needed any extra material, or anything else to just tell Nana and he would see to it. Millie nodded her head. After passing on the instructions, Tom and Peter left the bathing room. Tom was glad to be out of there. He had noticed a few of the women giving him a strange look, and showing him more than the situation called for. Peter just grinned at Tom's look. Up at the house, Victoria was getting her first hot bath in the new bathing tub. She had almost decided to forget her bedroom, and just move into the bathing room permanently. After washing her hair she held her nose and plunged beneath the water, and came up sputtering. She looked around and laughed. ------- Chapter 55: Parties Victoria wasn't as happy as she thought that she would be. She found that fifty dollars didn't go as far as she thought that it would. She could only get one dress, and that wasn't as nice as she wanted, but she found that she could make do. She had to plead for Tom to make another trip to town to pick up her dress on Friday afternoon, but she found that he was much more agreeable when she wasn't asking for money. Saturday afternoon came and Victoria asked Tom if she could use the carriage. Tom agreed, but sent Peter to drive it for her. She didn't know that he was there as more than a driver. She might have been flattered if she had. When she arrived at the party she went to see Charlotte first. She noticed Charlotte giving her dress a critical eye and found that she really didn't care what Charlotte thought. She paid for this dress on her own and she liked it better than any of her other dresses. After she and Charlotte had gossiped she found that there were things that she wanted to do and excused herself. She quickly made the rounds and worked on filling her dance card, something that she rarely did before. She even penciled in Tommy Johnson for a dance, he had the reputation of grabbing things that he shouldn't, but Victoria also heard that his daddy was rich and Tommy was his only son. Victoria spent her dance time asking all of the important questions. If a prospect passed the first round she allowed a second dance. Her problem was that most of the young men were just that, young men with no prospects that his parents didn't give him. She quickly found out that older brothers meant lack of a future for many young men. After she had danced with all of the young men, she found that only two had any future potential as husbands, and one was Tommy Johnson. When he asked for a stroll through the garden Victoria was sure that she could control his wandering hands. Victoria looked Tommy over critically and found that he had potential. He was tall and even though not handsome, he was far from ugly. He had a good solid body and he was reasonably graceful, at least he didn't step on her toes. His hair was black and well-trimmed, even if it was slicked down. She thought that his brown eyes were the color of a newborn fawn. In general she found enough to put him down as a possible suitor, one with financial potential. When they got to the rear of the garden Tommy suggested sitting on the bench. It was still twilight and she could easily see the house. She nodded her head and allowed him to guide her to the bench. She was surprised that she hadn't been sitting more than half a minute before Tommy had his hands on her breasts. She quickly fended him off, but he just shifted the position to a target a little lower. She suddenly wondered when he had grown three more hands. They seemed to be everywhere at the same time, and she was hard pressed to keep his hands off of all of her tender spots. Since she didn't slap him and stomp away, as she usually did in these situations, she quickly found that he managed to stimulate enough places to get her blood pumping and to reconsider letting him take a few more liberties. Even though he didn't seem to know what to do with the places that he was grabbing, he managed to do enough to make Victoria pant with need. He slipped his hand under her dress and into her pantaloons, and Victoria considered rolling onto her back when things took a turn for the worse. Victoria was wet and panting and wondering if Tommy would taste as good as Tom when he suddenly stiffened and sighed. He quickly pulled his hand from her dress and she wondered what had happened. She looked at him and saw a silly expression his face and when she looked down she saw a stain spreading on his trousers. Tommy quickly made an excuse and took off leaving her sitting here looking confused and feeling frustrated. She suddenly understood, and she wasn't the least bit happy that he was leaving her wet and frustrated after he got his jollies. She stormed off to the outhouse thinking of the many things that she would like to do to Tommy Johnson. When she got to the outhouse, she seriously considered finishing what Tommy had started. A quick look around told her that there were too many places that people could see into the outhouse, and she would be better off just wiping herself dry and waiting until she got home to do anything more. When Victoria returned to the party she couldn't find Tommy Johnson anywhere. She asked about him as was told that he suddenly felt sick and left. She knew exactly why he was sick and hoped that everybody saw the wet stain on his trousers. After a few more dances she decided that there wasn't much more that she could get done. She made her way to where Charlotte had been sitting, intending to say goodbye, but she couldn't find her. She looked toward the refreshment table and thought that she saw her disappearing around the corner of the kitchen. She went in search of her and was just about to turn the corner when she heard giggling and she froze. She stopped to listen to the conversation, "I tell you I saw it myself! There she was, in broad daylight, sitting on the bench with Tommy Johnson. She had her legs spread and he had his hand under her dress. She's just like her sister, and I thought that she had proper breeding and upbringing, but there she was acting like a trollop for the world to see." Victoria was hurt and mad. She might have done those things, but it wasn't anything like Charlotte was telling it. "I heard that her sister worked her way through all of the Washington men, just like Victoria did tonight. I wouldn't be surprised if she got her husband the same that Victoria is trying to get Tommy Johnson. I'll bet that she is the biggest whore in Washington, and that man she married isn't any better. I heard that he got drunk in the saloon and killed three unarmed men. And I heard that they allow those Chinese maids to run around giving orders, just like a white woman, and everybody knows that a Chinese is worse than any nigger ever thought of being." Victoria couldn't take any more and she stormed around the corner and came face to face with Charlotte and Mary Jennings. She saw the surprised look on their faces just as she slapped Charlotte hard enough to knock her to the floor. Charlotte sat there holding her cheek, with tears leaking down her face. Victoria didn't yell but her voice was strong and clear. "I will tell you this to your face, since I don't go sneaking around behind corners and talking behind people's backs. What you saw in the garden was Tommy Johnson doing his best to get into my bloomers, and he didn't succeed. As far as my sister is concerned, she is more of a lady than you will ever be. If you can find one man in Washington, or anywhere else, that can say that she has done anything improper he's a lair. If he is willing to say it, he had better be prepared to defend it with his life. Tom, her husband, doesn't take well to people sullying his wife's honor." Victoria smiled at Charlotte sitting on the floor, "When he hears about this, he just might come over here and see if your daddy is as good with a gun as any of those men in the saloon. Do you know what will happen if your daddy dies Charlotte? A woman can't own land; they will take this plantation away from you and turn you out on the street, with nothing more than the clothes on your back. What will you do then Charlotte? Will you put a bullet in your brain, or will you make your living on your back?" Victoria turned her hard gaze to Mary Jennings, "And do you have anything that you want to say? Mary shook her head and Victoria saw the tears on her face fly as she did. Victoria realized that she probably said too much, but she didn't care. "Goodbye Charlotte, I doubt that I will be seeing you again. And if I ever hear of either of you talking behind my back again, you'll get the same thing that you just got, or maybe worse." Victoria turned on her heel and walked away. She walked out to the carriage and found Peter missing. She didn't want to have to go back inside looking for him so she climbed into the carriage and waited. Within a minute he lightly sprung up to the driver's seat and took the reins, and they were on their way home. Victoria fretted about what was going to happen when Janet and Tom found out about what she said, because she knew that it would get back to them sooner or later. Peter cleared his throat before he started to speak, "I think that you did real good in there, and I'm proud of you. I really didn't think that you had it in you." She looked stunned as she realized that he had heard, and then his words registered on her befuddled brain. "You mean that you heard what I said?" Peter grinned, "I have seen everything that you have done, and heard very word that you have said, since you got to the party. I couldn't very well keep you safe if I wasn't watching you, now could I?" Victoria was stunned, "What do you mean keep me safe? Why would you be keeping me safe, and from what?" Peter grinned, "Tom said to keep you safe. I didn't ask from what. If anything threatened you I would have handled it, including the young man on the bench. If you had yelled, I would have stopped him. I heard as much of the conversation, of the two girls, as you did and I was impressed with your defense of your family. That took courage, but if you are anything like your sister you have plenty of that." Victoria blushed even though nobody was there to see it. Victoria quietly asked, "Is what she said true, you know about Tom killing those men?" Peter shook his head, "Well, yes and no. She had a lot of the facts wrong. Tom and John were in the saloon, waiting for you girls in the dress shop. They only had one beer and were far from drunk. Tom only killed two men, John killed the other one, and all three of them were armed. Actually it was Bennet that drew his gun first." Victoria gasped, "He killed one of the Bennet brothers? Doesn't he know that the others will hunt him down?" She couldn't see Peter's grin when he answered, "Well, it seems that the other Bennet brothers had a little accident the same night, and now there aren't any Bennet brothers left." Victoria shivered. The Bennet brothers had raped more women and killed more men than anybody in the state. They bragged when they did it and if you were the unlucky one, you knew that if you ever went to the sheriff they would find your body before the sun rose again. She had a hard time believing that the Bennet brothers were gone, but knew that if it were true a lot of people would sleep easier in their beds. It was dark when the carriage stopped in front of Magnolia House. Peter jumped lightly to the ground and offered his hand to Victoria. She blushed as she took his hand and allowed him to help her down. He walked her to the steps of the porch. They noticed that there weren't any lights on the ground floor, but there were a few bedrooms that still had a light burning. "You go on up to bed now, you've had a busy day." Victoria blushed and nodded her head. Peter went back to take the carriage to the stable. When got there he found two boys waiting. He didn't mind taking care of the horses himself, but they explained that it was their job, and they liked taking care of the horses. Peter grinned and pitched them the reins, as he went to make his report to Tom. The hated to go to Tom's bedroom, all of that exposed woman flesh, and Becky wasn't here to take the edge off. He wondered if Jess was in the mood, he had noticed that she had started acting like she was Tom's personal property. He didn't blame her, or any of the other women. Since he had first seen Tom, holding a knife at Gray Eagle's throat, he had known that he was more than the other warriors, and the women seemed to flock to him. He watched him treat them like shit, and he still couldn't drive them away. He didn't understand it, but he had come to accept it. The smell that hit him when Tom opened the door made his cock hard in his pants. He tried not to look, but it was impossible. Tom didn't seem to notice and the women didn't seem to care, and that made it worse as they lounged around on the bed with their womanly parts exposed. Peter couldn't help but notice that Wei was with them as well, and she was toying with the nipples of her big tits distractedly. Tom listened to the report with interest. When Janet heard what Victoria did and said, she beamed with happiness, Tom even grinned. When he finished his report, Tom nodded and Peter left. He went straight to Jess's room and lightly knocked on the door. When Jess opened the door she wasn't wearing a thing and the smell coming from the room was almost as strong as the one he had just left. They looked in each other's eyes and grinned. Peter grabbed her by the wrist and dragged her to his room, but she wasn't complaining. The next morning as the women sat drinking their tea, Janet leaned over and kissed Victoria on the cheek. Victoria blushed, but didn't complain. Janet told her, "Honey, I'm real proud of you, but if you are going to go around defending my honor maybe we should teach you to fight a little bit." Victoria gasped and shook her head, "Janet, ladies do not fight." Janet smiled at her and said, "Honey, you just might be surprised at what real ladies do. Besides, who ever said that I was a lady? I'm a woman, and I'll fight for my family." Victoria thought about it and realized that her only ideas about ladies came from her friends, and she knew how wrong they could be about other things. Maybe the idea of learning to fight wouldn't be a bad idea, it certainly couldn't hurt, but she doubted that she would ever need it again. When Janet saw her look she nodded to the other women. Ming and Ping looked absolutely ecstatic at the idea, and Janet shivered at the things that they had taught her. She knew that those two women loved to fight, almost as much as they loved to love. They had been teaching each other for a long time now. Ping one day, Ming the next, followed by Mei, then Su and finally Wei. Janet had been surprised that Wei was the best single fighter, with or without a weapon. But as soon as Ming and Ping started to work together, none of them could stand against them. Janet grinned at what Victoria was about to learn. She smiled at the thought that even naked, she could still produce at least two small throwing knives, and she knew how to use them. Tom ignored the whole thing. He knew that the women worked out and trained together, and thought it was a great idea. Tom was surprised that over the next few days there were a lot of visitors to Magnolia House. They were all the young people of the area, and most of them had attended Charlotte's party. After word had spread, it seems that they wanted Victoria to know that they agreed with her and wanted her to know. Tom suspected that many of the young ladies also wanted to get a look at him, since they were constantly flirting from the time that they arrived. Janet worked hard not to laugh, but he saw her quickly dart into the house a few times and knew that she had lost it. Victoria was the talk of the town, and she loved it. She never realized that standing up for your family was so popular, but she began to understand that there were a lot of things that she didn't know before. Now that Janet was home, with her strong husband, she found that things had taken on a life of their own. She thought that it was like riding in a runaway carriage; there was nothing that you could do about it, but hang on and hope for the best. By Tuesday the visitors had stopped and everything seemed to be settling down again. Tom found Victoria in front of his desk again, and Janet had closed the door. He looked up questioningly. He noticed the smile on her face and suspected what she really wanted. He was just curious what the pitch would be this time. He didn't have long to wait, to find out. "Tom, I want to throw a party." Tom looked at her and considered the request. He nodded his head, "Okay, why?" She seemed confused at his question and just looked at him. He smiled at her, "Why do you want to throw a party? Is it a Harvest party, or a President's party, or a birthday party?" He looked as she understood what he was asking. She thought for a while before she answered, "Well, it's nothing like any of those. I just want to have a party. You don't really have to have a reason, do you?" Tom smiled, "Well, normally you do need a reason, but maybe we can think something up that will sound good. When do you want to have this party?" She was beaming when she said, "Oh, this Saturday afternoon." Tom shook his head, "Nope, I can't allow that." Tom saw the dejected look and even noticed Janet was surprised. He waited, and soon enough Victoria asked the question that he knew was coming, "But why not?" Tom smiled at her, "I couldn't allow you to do that to your guests. You told me that all of the women will need a new dress for a party, and won't you need a new dress? Do you think that the dressmaker can turn out that many dresses in four days? Think of how many of your friends wouldn't come just because of that." Tom saw the light of understand hit her. She smiled and shook her head. "You're right. Thank You for understanding and not letting me make a fool out of myself." Tom looked at her, "Will you be serving refreshments?" Victoria thought and nodded her head, "I'll have Nana put something together. She knows what we need. She's done it a million times." Tom grinned and new that was an exaggeration. After a thoughtful look Tom asked her, "Do you trust me? Will you allow me to handle the arrangements of your party?" Victoria was stunned. She couldn't believe that he would be willing to help. She smiled and nodded her head, "I would be honored if you would." Tom nodded his head and looked at her pointedly, "And I suppose that you will need another dress?" Tom saw that she quickly nodded her head with a big smile on her face. He grinned back at her. "Well, this is a lot bigger than last time, and it will cost you more than it did before. Are you still willing to pay?" He noticed that her smile slipped a little, but he knew what she had been really asking for in the first place. She just needed a reason to do it. She stood straight, with her shoulders back and her perky tits pushing against her dress, he noticed that she wasn't wearing a corset. "Yes sir, I'm willing to pay whatever price that you name." Tom smiled at her adventurous spirit. He thought that she was a lot like her sister. Tom nodded his head, "Okay, since this will cost a lot more, you will have to pay a lot more. You will spend every night in my bedroom, until the party." Tom heard Janet gasp, and saw the look on Victoria's face. He didn't know if she was shocked or happy about the news. "I will tell you now that I will expect some things from you that you never thought of before, and you will do them without complaint, or we will call off the whole thing." Victoria had already decided to try anything, at least once, and she didn't see a problem with Tom's demand. She also knew that like he said, they could always call the whole thing off. She nodded her head. "What time do you want me in your room?" Tom smiled at her, "You will wear your nightdress, and nothing else. That means no pantaloons either, just the nightdress. You will be at my room at dusk, if you are late, then don't bother coming." He saw the look of excitement on her face and noticed that she was starting to have trouble standing still. He wondered if she would hold out until tonight, and decided to add a little spice in the mix. "Also I don't want you touching your womanly parts. That means no long trips to the outhouse, or sneaking up to your room, when you think that nobody is watching." Victoria gasped at the realization that he had known what she had been doing, it made her blush scarlet, but she kept her head high and nodded that she agreed. Tom smiled and waved her away. After she left Janet was in his lap as the door clicked in closing, "Are you really going to do it? Are we going to get her, too? You think that she will allow it?" Tom put his lips over hers and easily silenced her. When he was sure that he had her juices flowing he broke the kiss and let her sit and pant her desire. "Now, yes I am really going to do it, and yes, I will give you girls a chance at her. As to whether she will allow it; that will be up to you." Tom saw the confused look on her face and smiled. "You might remember that she agreed not to touch herself between now and tonight. I'm sure that she'll need close watching. You can even tell her that you're watching, just to make sure that she doesn't do anything that will get her into trouble. Think what it does to you, to smell yourself and the other women all day. If you happen to brush against her breasts, that will also work to your advantage. You did notice that she isn't wearing a corset didn't you? Maybe, if you can do it without rising suspicion, a rub or a grope when she last expects it. A playful swat on her ass if she is bending over or any number of other things might get her desires ahead of her thoughts when she sees all of you women tonight." Janet looked at her devious husband in a new light. She knew that he could play her body like cheap fiddle but she never realized just how many little things he did that she never noticed, and all of them kept her dripping down her legs. Now she knew that it was no accident and it made it even more exciting to know that he knew what he was doing to her. A shiver of desire ran down her back and settled in her wet pussy. She even thought that she felt a little bit of juice squirt out on her legs, but knew that as impossible, wasn't it? Tom leaned closer and whispered in her ear, sending more chills down her spine. "Why don't you get the girls to help you? It should be interesting to see how hot you can get her as the day goes on, and she should always be within easy reach, or smell of somebody." Janet almost lost it right there and struggled up and away from him. She knew that it would be so easy to surrender to the feeling, but she wanted to spend the day like the one Tom had just described for Victoria. Janet walked on unsteady legs to tell the girls about the plan for the day, and the pleasures waiting for the night. Victoria didn't know what was happening, but she was having a terrible day. Every time she turned around somebody was brushing up against her. Her nipples were so hard and sensitive that the breeze sent tingles down to her swampy pussy. She couldn't even sneak off to the outhouse; the girls had told her that they were watching to make sure that she kept her word. At first she was offended that they would think that she would do that, now she knew that she would, if they would just turn their backs for a few minutes. Six times today somebody had swatted her ass when she was bending over. At first she was mortified, now she realized that each of those swats were doing things to her that she didn't understand. She did enjoy it, or at least she would if she could just get to the outhouse. When she started to smell herself she was embarrassed and afraid that somebody else would smell her too. It soon became clear to her that all of the women were releasing their scents. She wondered what had happened to the normally quiet Chinese women that were making them act like tigers. At one point she was bending over when Janet came up to stand right beside her head. She even put her hand on Victoria's back to keep her bent over. When Janet left Victoria distinctly saw two small wet droplets on the wooden floor. She couldn't be sure, but she suspected what they were. She quickly looked around to see if anybody was looking, then she had to check to see if she was dripping on the floor. She was relieved that she wasn't, but she didn't notice the wet spot on the back of her dress or the other women's looks when they noticed. For Victoria the day only got worse, but there were some good parts too. At lunch time all of the women went into another room to eat. Nobody was there to notice the smell or the obviously excited state that she was in. She realized that they were working hard, making her keep her word, but they helped by hiding it away from everybody. Janet knew that she really didn't have a clue what they were doing to her. She smiled at the thought. When Jess entered the room she froze, her nostrils flared and her eyes glazed a little. By the time she left with the dishes she was panting and Janet knew that she would be in the outhouse soon. Janet thought Victoria's eyes looked a little glazed as well, and wondered if she needed a little air. Janet suggested a short walk. After a few minutes in the fresh air Victoria's head cleared a little. It didn't help the desires raging through her, but she could start to think again. She looked at Janet. "Why are you doing this? Janet looked at her and raised an eyebrow. Victoria had to concentrate, "I'm not normally like this. I might be excited at the thought of spending a night with Tom, but this is more excited than I have ever been. I know that all of you are doing things to me. I don't know what it is, but I know it is something." Janet smiled at her. Janet looked her in the eyes and said, "Raise your dress up around your waist." Victoria started to pull her dress up and then suddenly looked around and dropped her dress. "Janet, that's not something that a lady does." Janet looked at her and gave her a sad smile. "Victoria honey, I love you, but you just don't understand the facts of life. Try to understand one simple truth. If you can understand that, then many other things will become clear. You, my beautiful, sweet little sister, are a whore." Janet waited for the shock to hit, and the wait wasn't long. Victoria's face turned red and Janet knew there was an explosion coming. She decided to head it off and slapped Victoria across the face. Victoria was so stunned that she just stood there and her anger faded. Janet nodded and continued, "Now that you are quiet, please listen to me. As soon as you sold your body for money that made you a whore, but I have learned that we are all whores. Yes, even your little friends that think themselves the perfect ladies will be whores, too." Janet motioned to a bench and they walked over to sit down. Janet looked down at the ground for a while before she continued, "It was hard for me to come to terms with, being a whore. I was brought up like you and I thought that I was a lady, and no matter what I did I would always be a lady. It was a shock to know that I wasn't. I will tell you a secret; I'm a whore, you're a whore and every woman in that house is a whore. We all sell ourselves for something. When Tom first told me that, I thought that he was just being mean and hurtful, but the girls explained it to me and I finally understood." Janet looked at the unbelieving face of Victoria. Janet smiled at her, "I know that you don't believe me, and it took me a while, but listen and try to understand. When a woman sells her body she is a whore. It is pretty simple to understand that, and you have to admit that you already did that. So do you admit that you are a whore?" Janet looked at the hurt look on her face, but kept looking her in the eyes until she dropped her head and Janet saw the barest nod. Janet grinned, it was the first step. "Okay, not forget that and listen to me. If you get married what are you giving to your husband?" Janet looked at Victoria as she thought about it, "Well, I would be giving him my love." Janet shook her head, "You might love him, or you might not, but you can't hold love in your hand. What are you giving him?" Victoria thought again, "Well I guess everything that I own." Janet nodded her head and asked, "And what do you own." Victoria had think for a while before she answered, "Well, my clothes and my jewels and my horse is about all that I really own." Janet nodded, "Okay, I tell you that you can't take your clothes or your jewels and I shot your horse. What do you have left?" Victoria didn't look happy at the thought but tried to work it through, "I guess that all I would have left is myself." Janet smiled at her. "That's all that you ever had from the first. Now, what do you expect to get out of the marriage; money to buy clothes and jewels and a horse? A nice house, maybe a carriage or did you want a buggy?" Victoria nodded her head, "Well, of course I want those things, but as long as my husband loves me I would be happy." Janet snorted, "I suppose that's why you were in the garden with Tommy Johnson, instead of Fred Weaver. I'm sure that you picked Tommy because he loved you so much more." Victoria blushed at the memory. She had to admit that Janet was right, "Okay, so I picked Tommy over Fred, because Tommy has money. Is there anything wrong with wanting things in life?" Janet shook her head, "Nope, not a thing in the world. But, if you're going to lie then I'm going to rub your face in it. So what it comes down to is, when you get married you give your husband your body and he gives you the nice things that you want. That makes every married woman a whore. She sells herself to one man, but she is still a whore," Victoria thought about it for a while and realized that Janet was right. It was a matter of just selling yourself. Victoria turned to Janet and waited. Janet looked back at the ground as she spoke again, "I have told you that women can't own land. Well, there is more to it than that. If they are raped, robbed or even killed, the law really won't do a thing. You are just a woman and they don't want to waste their time on a woman. Only if you have a father, or a husband will they listen and only because of them. So, when you are born you belong to your father, and it stays like that until you have a husband. You are traded from one master to another. If that master wants to kill you, then he can and the law won't do a thing about it. Sweetheart, all women are born slaves, and there isn't a thing that we can do about it." Janet looked at the stunned face of Victoria. She sat back and waited for the truth to settle in. Victoria sighed and spoke sadly, "This morning when I woke up, I as a free woman and a lady, now I find out that I'm a slave and a whore. This hasn't been much of a day." Janet laughed. "Once you understand that, it does get better. I haven't been happier since I learned it." Victoria looked at her in shock and Janet laughed again. "Think about it Sugar, I have a master that cares for me, and gives me everything that I need. Just like my daddy before him. He buys my dresses and tells me what to do, and in return I service his every need. I give my body willingly, any time or place. If he tells me to raise my skirts, I will. It won't matter where we are or who is looking, I will do it. My master will protect me, and use me as he sees fit. When you look for a husband, you are really shopping for a master. Make sure you find a strong one that can protect you." Victoria frowned as she thought about it. It sounded simple, and it had a ring of truth to it that she couldn't deny. It explained many things to her and she did begin to understand a lot more about life. It also explained how the women treated Tom and why he acted like he did. "What about the Chinese women, I know that they have sex with Tom and you allow it." Janet shook her head, "You are missing the point. Tom is my master and he is their master, they are my sisters. A slave is a slave, it doesn't matter if she is white, black or Chinese. We are all still slaves, and it is our master that decides those things, not his slaves. I can't stop what isn't my place to decide. You have to get a grip in things, if you want to survive in this world." Victoria thought long and hard. She had the unique ability to ferret out what was important and what wasn't, and the garbage was thrown out. It took some time, but when things began to fall into place she grasped the idea. Not that she liked what she saw, but she saw things in a light that she had never known before. It answered many things for her. "Why did you tell me all of this?" Janet grinned, "You asked me why we were doing this to you. Our master has ordered us to keep your pussy wet all day, and now you understand why. We will do as our master tells us to do, and it doesn't matter if we want to, or not. It also doesn't matter if you want us to, or not." With that said Janet openly reached over and pinched Victoria's nipple through her dress and heard her gasp. "Now that you know why we are doing it, it will be a lot more open this afternoon." Victoria shivered at the thought and realized that if she had kept her mouth closed, it would have been easier on her, but she never had a thought of trying to stop them. It didn't occur to her to defy Tom's order. When they got back to the house, Janet took Victoria up to her room and had her remove her petticoats and pantaloons. Victoria didn't think to argue with her. She spent the afternoon with all of the women openly feeling and caressing her body. She was in a constant state of excitement. The women flatly refused to let her wipe herself, and it wasn't long before her juices were leaving trails on the floor. For some reason she didn't feel the least embarrassed about it. It was dusk and Victoria was standing at Tom's bedroom door. Jess had gone with her to help her dress, and make sure that she kept her word. She knew that without Jess there she would have been doing many things that would have broken her promise. Her body was quivering with excitement as she stood there. "Do you know what is going to happen to me?" Victoria looked at Jess and watched as Jess nodded. She could see the hunger in the young girl's face. "You want it to be you, don't you?" Jess blushed and nodded again. Victoria smiled and gave her a hug. "Keep at it, you'll win him over." Jess smiled at the support offered from an unexpected source. Victoria squared her shoulders and knocked lightly on the door. She heard movement in the room and then she saw Janet open the door. Jess nodded and went off to her room. Victoria looked at Janet, dressed in a silk nightdress. It clung to each of her curves and showed her hard nipples pointing out like she was naked, Victoria didn't know if she should be embarrassed or not, but all she felt was excitement. Janet took her hand and led her into the softly lit room. Victoria saw Mei and Su were dressed just like Janet, but in different colors. They all seemed so comfortable and Victoria thought that the cotton nightdress that she wore made her look like a country bumpkin. She knew that she would have a silk nightdress, no matter what it cost her. She noticed Tom sitting in a chair, he also wore silk, but it looked like a wraparound affair that she had never seen before. Tom voice was strong and commanding, "Get those nightdresses off." Victoria gasped; she wondered if he expected her to be naked in front of the other women. She realized that they would do anything that he commanded, and watched as all of them pulled the beautiful silk garments over their heads. It didn't take her long to understand that this was her first test. Was she willing to do as he commanded? She didn't have to think about it, as she realized that she wanted to follow his orders, she wanted him to be her master too. She quickly lifted the cotton nightdress and let it fall to the floor. For the first time in her life she saw another completely naked woman, other than a slave. She looked at their hard nipples and their lightly furred mounds. She saw the wetness on their thighs and knew that they were just as excited as she was. It was comforting in a way that she didn't understand, but she felt close to them because of it. "Get her on the bed." Janet took her hand and led her to the bed. It was bigger than the one in her room, but she wondered if they could all fit on the bed without touching. Janet put her in the middle of the bad and they all watched as Tom stood and removed his robe. He moved quickly, but silently to the bottom of the bed to openly look at all of Victoria's charms. She knew that she should have been embarrassed, but she couldn't bring herself to feel anything but the hunger pounding in her brain. She watched as Tom crawled up on the bed and pulled her legs apart. She was glad that he was going to ease the itch that was deep in her pussy, one that she had wanted to scratch all day. She was surprised when he quickly lowered his head and put his face in her pussy. She had never heard of such a depraved act and wanted to tell him that it was dirty, but before she could say anything the first bolt of pleasure slammed though her body. Her eyes got big and her breath caught in her throat. After a few seconds of his ardent licking her breath exploded in a rush. She decided that if this was dirty and depraved, then she was happy to wallow in depravity. Tom motioned to the girls and they gently closed in on their prey. Su moved to kiss the young beauty, while Janet and Mei each took a hard little nipple in their mouth. The sudden assault surprised Victoria. She had heard whispers about women doing things like this and wasn't sure that she wanted to be one of them. The feelings running through her body made her decided to put the decision off, for just a minute or so. Tom sucked her little pressure nub between his lips and lashed it with his tongue. Victoria wailed and the work on her body started in earnest. Victoria wasn't sure what was happening, or even who was doing what, but she didn't want any of it to stop. She decided that if doing things with other girls felt this good, she would sign up for the hayride. She found that Su was a lot better at kissing than she was, but she was learning fast. When her first orgasm hit it was Su's mouth that kept the house from coming to investigate. Tom quickly moved up and fed his hard cock to her as she was still shaking in the heights of passion. She never knew when he put his hard cock in her, but she knew that she didn't feel the pain that she expected. This was better than the last time, and it was getting even better. Victoria could hardly move when Tom fired his load deep in her battered pussy. She only managed a weak moan and let her head flop from side to side. She was having trouble focusing on anything and knew that she was going to die from pleasure. After Tom pulled out Mei nodded her head at Victoria's leaking pussy and Janet smiled at her. She was going to play bandit again. Victoria moaned when she felt the mouth on her pussy, but nobody was sure if it was pleasure or disappointment. When Janet moved up and began kissing her it was a new experience for Victoria, but she had tasted that flavor before and knew that she loved it. She quickly warmed to the new game that Janet was teaching. She decided that if this was the life of a slave, then she was not going to miss being a free woman. Before the night was out she had tasted pussy and sucked every nipple she could get her mouth on. She had sucked on Tom's cock and had her first lesson on how to handle a cock, when she gagged. There were things that she still wanted to try, but knew that she had until the party to experience everything that she could imagine, and now she had some ideas of what could be done with three women and a man. She cuddled against Janet when she got tired, and fell asleep in her sister's arms. She had never believed that she would ever experience anything like that and loved every second of it. At morning tea, she watched women cuddle with Tom and John. For the first time she felt jealousy, but understood that it was Tom that made the decisions and she was willing to take what he offered. Tom Asked Ming and Ping if they would mind doing some work for him. He surprised them with the request, but they were flattered that he asked. They were quick to agree. Later that day Tom sat them down in the library with some of the Washington party invitations and a draft of the invitation that he wanted to send out. Their natural artistic ability made the invitations quite exotic, and Tom thought they would be well received. Tom talked to Richard and Peter and they started the slaves on a barbeque pit. He then sat Nana down and went over his plans and what she would need to contribute, and she was more than happy to be involved. He had her prepare a list of what she would need from town. When Tom had his list in hand, he took Victoria to the dressmakers. The girls had wanted to go to town and decided to stay at the dressmakers shop. Tom knew that the girls had enough gold to pay for anything that they wanted to get. He made sure to tell Janet to pay the dressmaker. While the girls amused themselves, Tom and John filled the list from Nana at the Mercantile. After a few more quick stops all that was left was to wait for the girls. They didn't know if it was a good idea to visit the saloon, but refused to run from trouble. Tom grinned when he asked John if he was ready for a beer. John shook his head, but led the way. They didn't have any trouble, and noticed that others found things to do elsewhere when they arrived. Tom grinned at John and made the comment, "Looks like we need a bath." John looked at him for a minute before he got the joke, "Naw, we just took one last year." The men looked at each other and laughed. ------- --That night Victoria was shocked when she was led down to the bathing room. She had never bathed in front of anybody before and she didn't know if she could. She had never been in the steam room either. She didn't understand why anybody would want to sit and sweat. After a half hour she was as limp as used cock, and decided that steam did have some good points. ------- --The royal bath treatment followed and she knew that she would never want to bathe alone again. She wondered why she had always resisted anything that sounded the least bit unladylike. She had learned that ladies enjoyed life a lot less than real women, and she could admit that being a whore was even better. It had come hard, but she knew it was true and she reveled in the knowledge, and she hoped that tonight she would enjoy it as much as she had last night. ------- Chapter 56 --Victoria was stunned when Tom handed her a stack of invitations. She looked at the obvious elegance and the neat script and knew that this was the way that society invited people to parties. Tom explained that she should send one to each person that she wanted to invite, and that if a person didn't have an invitation they would not be admitted to the plantation. Victoria saw the simple elegance of the system. She nodded and hurried off to work on her guest list. ------- --The following days were filled with little preparations for the party. Tom had a gazebo built that would hold a group of musicians that he had arranged for. He had long tables built to hold all of the food, and flowers arranged around the grounds. He had even bought three boxes of stoneware dishes at the mercantile. ------- --On Friday afternoon Tom had the steer that he had picked butchered and put on a spit. At six o'clock they lit the hickory fires. He had five three-man teams working three hours each; one tending the fire, one turning the spit and one using a mop to keep sauce on the steer. They would cook the steer until time for the party. Before going to bed Tom checked on the steer. The smell made his mouth water. ------- --On Saturday Tom helped Nana carry the food to the tables, covered with white table linens. He couldn't believe the amount of food that was there; potato salad, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet corn, beans, carrots, peas, breads, and both apple and peach cobbler. It covered two twelve-foot long tables, with stacks of plates at each end. At another table was punch, and other drinks. Tom didn't want wine or any other drinking that might cause somebody to do something stupid. Just before the party was to start Victoria positioned herself to greet her guests, at Tom's suggestion. She normally sat and let the guests come to her, like she had been told that ladies do. Tom explained that greeting her guests and escorting them to the party area made them feel special. She grinned at him, "Yes, and it lets me show off my new dress to everybody." Tom shook his head as he walked away. Tom had the warriors positioned around the grounds to keep any trouble from getting out of hand. The party started off slowly as guests arrived. They were surprised to be greeted by their hostess, but enjoyed the attention. The music played softly and the guests mingled, talked and drank. Tom thought that for a bunch of kids that acted pretty grown-up. The announcement of refreshments, along with the smell of the cooking beef, brought the people in a herd. They stood at the spit and received a slice of beef and then worked their way down the table. By the time that they got to the end Tom thought that he should have been handing out buckets instead of plates. He did enjoy the looks of appreciation that the food brought. He wondered what they usually ate at affairs of this type. After the food Tom danced with Janet, Mei and Su. Wei flatly refused and Jess said that she couldn't dance. It was all going well until Tom turned and found Randolph standing in front of him. The glove that hit his face almost ended Randolph's life, but Tom recovered quickly. There was a collective gasp before Randolph loudly spoke, "You sir, have offended my honor. You are no gentleman and I don't like the attentions that you are paying my sister. I challenge you to a duel." Once again there was a collective gasp. Tom saw the sneer on Randolph's face and smiled, "Of course sir, I would be honored to accept. I assume that you have a second? You will be following the code of honor, won't you?" Suddenly Randolph realized that things weren't going as he had expected. He wasn't sure what code of honor Tom was talking about, but he knew that he had to agree to it, but what was a second? He nodded his head, "Of course I am following the code of honor." That was as much as he got out before another man stepped forward, "I'm Jacob Fenning. I will be his second." Tom smiled, "Excellent. Tom turned to find John almost on top of him and clearly asked, "John, would you be my second?" Tom winked to let him know that he had things in hand. John visibly relaxed, and in a calm voice that would have made Willard proud he said, "Of course sir, I would be honored to be your second." Tom turned back to Randolph, "Our seconds will arrange the time and place. Since my mere presence offends you, I will have your things sent to the hotel." Randolph was suddenly fuming, "You can't do that, Magnolia House is my home, and after the duel, it will be again." Once again Tom saw the sneer on his face. Tom smiled, "I'm afraid that won't happen. Even if I lose the duel, I have a will that will sell Magnolia House, and the proceeds will go to your sister. You will get nothing, and from this day Magnolia House is closed to you. Good day sir." Tom watched the information sink into his brain. He saw the realization set in, that he had lost even before the game began. All of his careful plans had just crumbled to dust. Victoria screamed, "Randolph, what are you doing ruining my party? I can't believe that you would do something like that." Tom saw that the confusion was just about absolute and that Randolph didn't have much of a chance of coming up with an answer. Tom turned to Victoria and spoke just above a whisper, "Easy there Victoria, he didn't ruin anything. Think how you can use this. Everybody will remember this party forever, how many parties are there that a duel gets set. There won't be any fighting, so just smile and laugh and tell everybody that this is all very exciting. They will all agree and you will have the social event of the year." Tom saw Victoria's eye light up and he knew that he had hit all of her hot spots. He wondered if she would scream in orgasm before she talked to her guests and smiled at the idea. Tom turned back to Randolph and motioned to Peter. Immediately Robert and Peter were at each side of him. "They will see you out. If you ever return you will be shot on sight." Tom saw Randolph as about to cry and knew that his bad day was just starting. After he was escorted out Janet was at his side fuming. "That little bastard, I can't believe that he would do something like this!" Tom smiled and patted her back. The rest of the party was just as Tom had predicted, the guests couldn't talk about anything else and Victoria played it for all that she was worth. When the guests started to leave Victoria escorted each of them to their carriage, or horses. She had really learned the hostess game, and Tom wondered if he could start renting her out as a party organizer, now that she had an idea of how a party should be run. After the last of the guests had left Tom called Millie to join them. Millie was walking very slowly and looking nervous. Tom smiled at her, "Millie, now that the party is over I think that it is time to get things going for real." She looked confused at him and he grinned as she put his arm around her shoulders. He led her over to the roasted beef. "Think that you can find me some people that might like to have a little roasted beef. We have some other things left over, but I'm sure that we don't have enough to feed all of the workers. Maybe you should just let the little ones eat off the table, except for the bread. Millie suddenly understood what Tom was talking about and she was stunned, "You really mean that Massa Tom? You's gonna let us eat all this fine food?" Tom grinned at her, "I don't think that even all of you can pick this steer clean, but I'm sure that you'll give it try." Tom lightly swatted her ass as he walked away, and Millie squeaked when she felt it. She turned and shouted, "Massa Tom, you keep yo hands offin my old butt." Ton looked back at her, but she didn't look upset, he thought that she looked pretty pleased with herself. Tom grinned and blew her a kiss. She squeaked again and he watched her run away. He knew that she was going to bring back the other slaves. While the white folks moved up to the house, Tom sat on the porch and watched the slaves descend on the party area. He saw old Millie standing guard on the steer and the tables. Tom noticed that all of the children got a pass at the table, and then some of the young teens got to work on what was left. Nana had a steady stream of hot bread heading out to the table. Tom noticed a few makeshift musical instruments come out and they started to play. Tom watched as it turned into a party again. They were drinking the punch, talking and dancing. Tom suspected that Nana was refilling the punch, and thought it was a good idea. When he looked, he was sure that he saw her dancing with a big man that was so black that if he wasn't smiling you would lose sight of him. Tom shook his head and headed inside. John was waiting for him. "The time and place are set." Tom looked at him enquiringly and John continued, "Tomorrow afternoon, up on the hill just outside Magnolia House." Tom thought for a minute and then nodded his head. "At least two hours before the duel I want Peter to go over the whole area and then find a nice quiet place to watch from. Tell him to make sure that we don't have any visitors that we don't know about." John nodded and left him to his thoughts. When Tom got to his bedroom he found all of his women, and a couple more. He wondered what Victoria and Jess were doing there. He looked around and saw that there wasn't a piece of cloth bigger than a handkerchief between all of them. He smiled at the scene. Janet was still stomping around, and blowing off steam and Victoria looked like she was going to be sick, with Jess comforting her. Mei, Su and Wei looked calm, but he could see that they were tense. He shook his head, "What has all of you stirred up?" Janet turned on him. "That little snot of a brother of mine is going to try and kill you, and you ask what has us stirred up?" Tom grinned at her, "Relax sweetheart, he lost as soon as he opened his mouth." All of the women looked at him with concern, and Tom just shrugged. "Now, I want all of you out of here tonight." They immediately started to protest, but Tom just shook his head firmly, "No, if all of you stayed I would be so tired tomorrow that I probably wouldn't be able to lift my arms. With the duel tomorrow afternoon, at the top of the hill just outside Magnolia House, I want to have a good night's rest." Tom watched the information sink in and knew that there wouldn't be one of them that wouldn't find someplace that they could watch from. He opened the door and repeated, "Now, everybody out." Jess bit her lip before she asked, "Do you want us all together, or alone?" Tom smiled at her, "whatever you want is fine with me. I imagine that you could comfort each other, and it would make all of you feel better." Tom saw that Jess was happy and pulled Victoria off toward her room. Wei looked at the others and motioned to her room with Jess, and Tom watched the whole group reluctantly move off in the same direction. Janet stopped to kiss him before she left, and the others followed suit. When the last one left, Tom closed the door with a sigh of relief. There were times that he enjoyed being alone. When he woke he immediately noticed that that he was not alone. He knew how lightly he slept and was surprised to find a pussy pile in the bed around him. His four women were two deep on each side. He was just happy that Victoria and Jess weren't there, too. He eased himself out of the bed and headed down for coffee. Nana, and her helpers were moving kind of slow this morning and Tom wondered if they had been in the corn liquor. Nana snorted at the idea and said that the party had gone on until the short hours of the night. Tom grinned at her and reminded her that owls don't get the early morning worms. She nodded her head and said, "No sir, but just like us, they feast throughout the night." Tom laughed and drank his coffee. Tom and Robert walked around and examined that growing crops. Every man took off his hat and bobbed his head and greeted them warmly. All of the women giggled and curtsied and smiled warmly, or offered their best wishes. The kids just ran up and hugged him, that got a gasp, or two, but Tom just patted them on the head and sent them back to their parents. There were more than a few sighs of relief, but Tom just smiled at everyone. Millie was in the bathing house with a small army scrubbing down everything. They had put curtains on the windows and Tom noticed that the floors had been sanded in places. When Millie saw them she came over to Tom, "Massa Tom, we had the best time last night. I don't think that there was a man, woman or child that didn't go to bed with his stomach close to bustin. We ain't never had a feast like that afore." Tom grinned and told her that he was glad that he could make everybody happy. Millie looked at him hard, "Massa Tom, we done heard 'bout that duel, don't go gettin yourself killed. We alls likes you too much fo that." Tom grinned at her obvious concern, "Don't worry yourself about it Millie, not much chance of that happening. I just don't know how bad I want to hurt him, yet." Millie looked to see if Tom was serious before she frowned and spoke softly, "Massa. That boy is a bad 'un. He and Massa Storey was two of a kind, they both loved the whip." Tom looked hard when he nodded his head. Tom swatted her on the ass as he left and she squeaked again, but she didn't say a thing. After a light lunch Peter disappeared and Tom called John and Robert into the library. All of the girls tried to get in, but Tom closed the door before they had a chance. About a half hour later John and Robert came out and went to change their clothes. Tom came out a little later and changed into one of his better suits. At two o'clock Tom and John got into the carriage and Robert rode his horse. They rode to the top of the hill and stopped the carriage. Robert dismounted his horse a little ways away from them and took up a position at the center of the hill. About fifteen minutes later they saw three riders coming from town. Tom was surprised to see the sheriff riding with Randolph and Fenning. When they arrived Tom stood with John one step behind him and off to his right. Randolph walked to meet them, with Fenning following. The sheriff dismounted and walked up to Robert and nodded his head. He stood beside Robert. Tom and Randolph stood looking at each other, on each side of Robert and the sheriff. Robert cleared his throat and formally asked, "Is there any way that this can be resolved without bloodshed?" Robert looked to Tom and Tom looked at Randolph. Robert looked at Randolph and he sneered and shook his head. Robert nodded formally, "Will this be first blood, or to the death?" Once again Tom looked at Randolph, and Robert looked at him. "To the death." Robert nodded his head and said, "Since this cannot be resolved peacefully, it will be a duel to the death. We might as well get started. Prepare yourselves." Tom immediately turned and went to the carriage. There he removed his hat, coat, vest and shoulder holster. He unbuttoned his sleeves and rolled them up. Once he was comfortable he took a highly polished box, that Peter had built, and put it under his arm. He then turned and walked back to stand in front of Robert. Randolph had only removed his hat and coat, and was already waiting. Fenning was holding what was obviously a box of dueling pistols. When Robert looked at each of them and nodded. Fenning handed the case to Robert. Robert casually took the case and opened it. Inside were two classic muzzle loading pistols. Robert nodded his head before looking at Fenning and said, "Yes Mr. Fenning, they are very nice, but I'm not interested in buying them, and now isn't the right time for such things." He handed the case back to Fenning and Tom snorted. The sheriff grinned at the joke as well. Fenning sputtered a couple of times before he found his voice, "You have to have dueling pistols to fight a duel." Robert calmly looked at him, "Not necessarily Mr. Fenning. Tom was the challenged party and according to the Code of Honor, he has the right to select weapons. That is what was agreed to, wasn't it?" Once again Fenning sputtered, and Randolph gulped. They both realized at the same time that they had been had. Tom calmly handed the box to Robert. Robert took it and turned it facing him. He opened it and couldn't help the smile that crossed his face. Robert heard the sheriff gasp beside him as he looked over his shoulder. Robert closed the case and turned it around, facing out. He turned toward Randolph and said, "Since Tom is supplying the weapons, you get the first selection." Robert opened the box and there sat two ten inch knives. The steel gleamed off of the polished surfaces. The handles were leather wrapped and the blade was about three inches high at the handle and quickly tapered down to a razor tipped point during the last two inches. It would be commonly referred to as a Bowie knife in later years. Randolph gasped, "But, we are supposed to be using pistols." Robert calmly answered, "The challenged party has the right to choose the weapons. You agreed to the rules. Would you like to withdraw your challenge?" Randolph knew that if he withdrew his challenge, he would be labeled a coward. He shook his head. Robert continued to hold the case open and wait for his selection. Randolph couldn't see any difference and picked one of the knives. It felt like it weighed a hundred pounds, but he knew that it couldn't weigh more than about one pound. It felt heavy, and awkward in his hand, and he knew that he didn't really have a clue on how to use a knife. He watched as Tom picked up the other knife. When he had it in his hand he flipped it in the air, it flipped end to end and twirled around, and when it came down it landed lightly in his hand. He knew that he was in trouble. He turned to Fenning and spoke, "This isn't how things were supposed to go. What am I going to do now?" Tom was listening, even though he pretended that he wasn't. "You're going to go out there and stab him with that knife. Just stay out of reach until you see and opening, then rush in and strike. Then get back out of range again. Keep at it until you kill'em." Tom grinned at the advice. He knew that it sounded good, but it would never work; that was how you ended up dead. Tom turned and walked about ten feet away. Then he stopped and faced Randolph. John moved away from him until he was in line with Robert and the sheriff. Tom stood there with his knife hanging limply at his side and waiting. Randolph suddenly turned and started walking toward Tom. Tom didn't have any expression on his face, he looked like a stone statue, but he was poised and ready to strike. Randolph held his knife close in front of him and moved in slowly. When he thought he was close enough he lunged. Tom knew he was too far away to do him any real harm, but decided to get things started off right. He deflected the attack to the side and stepped in close to Randolph as he turned his back. He brought his elbow back hard and heard the breath rush out as he slammed into his stomach. As he stepped away he brought his knife up behind him until it was even with his shoulder. He then turned and brought his blade across Randolph's body. Tom stepped back and watched as Randolph's shirt started to turn red. His vest was cut almost to the top and the shirt under it flapped in the breeze. When Randolph looked down and saw the blood he was stunned. Tom smiled and stepped back in close and slashed another quick line across his chest. He felt the bones as it passed. Randolph screamed and jumped back. When he looked up there was terror on his face. His hand was shaking as he held the knife. He started moving in, one small step at a time, and striking out. Each step brought an attack. Tom grinned as he watched him getting closer. When he was close enough to actually hit something Tom leaned back, out of reach of the knife and when it passed he quickly brought his own knife up and slashed the passing arm. Before the knife hit the ground Tom stepped closer and slashed twice more across his chest and stomach, once in each direction. Randolph screamed again and Tom stepped back, so that Randolph could pick up his knife. Randolph looked at the cuts and saw the blood making a mess down his body. He turned to Robert, "I can't hold a knife anymore." He held out his slashed arm. Robert looked calmly at him, "You have another hand, I suggest that you use it, before he carves you up like Christmas dinner." Randolph looked at the knife on the ground and wondered if he could really pick it back up again. Tom decided that he needed some incentive and stepped forward again and slashed once across his face. That got his attention and he ducked to the ground and picked up the knife in his left hand. He then stepped back three big steps and crouched down and waited for Tom to attack. Tom thought it was the first move that he had made that stood any chance of success. He moved in cautiously and feinted a slash to his face. Randolph quickly thrust his knife up to guard his face and Tom slashed across his stomach again. He was careful not to injure his left arm as that probably would end the fight. Randolph took another step back and crouched again. Tom followed. Tom feinted again, but it didn't pull his knife out of his guard position, so Tom slashed at his face. By the time Randolph realized that it wasn't another feint he had another bleeding cut across his face. He knew that these knives were as sharp as a razor, because he didn't feel the pain until the blood was running down his neck. He was now wondering how he could get out of this still living when he realized that he probably wouldn't. He regretted a lot of things in that moment, and one of them was that he had been used. It was a moment of revelation and he decided not to die alone. He lunged at Tom and it was the first time that Tom had to work to defend himself. If Randolph had been better it might have been different, but he wasn't good enough to take advantage of his fatalistic strength and determination. Tom suspected what had happened; once a person accepts death he puts everything he has into each attack. Tom was determined when he moved in and lunged himself. He knife speared through Randolph's useless right arm and between his ribs. When Tom got back on guard he saw that Randolph was coughing blood. He figured that it was time to end this. He waited until Randolph lunged again and brought his knife up and into his left arm. The knife dropped to the ground and Tom moved in to him. He hit him hard and watched as Randolph spun and hit the ground. Tom stood over him and grabbed him by the hair and pulled his head back. He calmly put the blade to his throat and asked, "Do you yield?" Randolph couldn't believe what he heard. He had given himself up for dead, and now, with a knife at his throat, he was asked if he yielded."Yes, I yield." Tom nodded and dropped Randolph's head back onto the ground. He stepped back and then turned and walked to Robert. "You heard?" Robert nodded. Tom then turned to the sheriff, "You heard?" The sheriff was surprised that he had left the boy alive, but he had heard. "Yes." Tom wiped his bloody knife and handed it back to Robert. He took it and put it in the case. Tom turned and calmly walked to the carriage. He slowly redressed and put his weapons back where he carried them. When Tom looked around he saw that Mr. Fenning had already left. Tom shook his head and asked the sheriff, "Will you help to get him back into town and a doctor?" The sheriff suddenly looked around and noticed that Flenning was already gone and snorted in disgust. "Yea, I'll help the boy back into town." Tom turned and got into the carriage to wait for John. He suddenly felt very tired. When they got back to the house Tom wanted to take a nap, but he knew that it would be impossible as soon as he saw the women. They were almost panting with excitement, and he couldn't miss the smell from five feet away. Victoria was on him before he knew what was happening, "You didn't kill him, even though he would have killed you. Thank you." She kissed him thoroughly and he noticed that she was humping his thigh. As she was pulling away from him he saw Janet smack her ass, "Move over slut, let the rest of his whores have a shot." Victoria giggled, but he noticed that she did rub her butt. After kissing the girls he managed to get away to change clothes and told them he going to take a bath. That turned out to be a mistake. They were waiting for him in the bathing room and after a quick steam, he thought that they were going to bathe him to death. After telling them to go and wait for him in his bedroom he went outside to sit on the porch. He figured that in a couple of hours it would probably be safe to go to his room. ------- Chapter 57 It was a week later that Tom went to find John. "He had been doing a lot of thinking and had made a decision. When he found him he asked to talk to him in the library. John could tell from his expression that it wasn't going to be good, but he waited for Tom to give him the news. "John, I am going to be taking a little trip, and I will be going alone." Tom knew that John would protest and he was ready for it. He held up his hand to stop the flow and explained, "John, I will need you here to look after my women, and yours. Robert needs to be here, and Peter could come with me, but I don't want anybody with me. This is something that I feel that I need to do alone." John looked at him and knew that if he really set his mind on it, he could disappear without a trace and there wouldn't be anything that could be done. He didn't like it, but he had to admit that Tom really could take care of himself. It was just when there was more than one, or two, that somebody needed to watch his back. John nodded his head. Tom didn't tell the girls, he left that job for John after he left. Early the next morning when they were still asleep Tom rode away from Magnolia House. The warriors watched him go and thought that he was a brave man, except where his women were concerned, but they had to admit that none of them wanted to be the one to tell them either. It was Tuesday afternoon, almost a month later when Tom rode in. It was the middle of harvest and everybody was busy. Even the house staff was boiling jars and canning just about everything for the coming winter. He managed to sneak in without drawing any attention. When he showed up for dinner pandemonium broke out. The girls were all over him, but he didn't know if they were still mad at him or not. The warriors were glad to see him and happy that he was back. Even Nana had a big grin when she saw him. Tom wouldn't tell anybody where he had gone, or what he had been doing. For the rest of the week Tom locked himself in the library all day, and wouldn't let anybody in. On Saturday afternoon Tom called all of the warriors into the library. After everybody was sitting comfortably Tom spoke, "Do you trust me?" Tom looked around at the surprised looks and waited until every man nodded his head. "Okay, I'm going to need your help with something. It will seem strange, but it is something that I feel that I have to do." Tom watched each of the men shrug before he continued. "I'm going into town this afternoon. I'll be going to the saloon, and looking for a poker game." Tom saw the surprised looks, but ignored them. "What I am going to need your help in is watching my back. I'm sure that it will be in danger. I want Robert and Peter to go into town and settle into the saloon. John and I will come in about a half hour later. Just before the trouble will start I'll take off my hat and wipe the sweat off the inside. When I do that I want all of you to be alert for trouble. I imagine that most of it will be coming from the card table, but there may be others in the room. I want John to watch the table and Robert and Peter to cover the rest of the room." Tom looked at each man and got a nod of understanding. "Once I sit down at the table, I want anybody that leaves that table to join you for a drink. Keep them in the saloon until after the trouble is over. You can tell them that something interesting might happen, but I want them to stay." Tom made sure that all of the men understood. He then stood and nodded to Robert and Peter, and they left quickly without a word to anybody. John spoke after the others left, "You've been acting strange since you got back." Tom nodded his head and sighed, "I've been working on this a long time and I don't want anything to go wrong. I decided to confront Stark about the markers that he holds, and I don't think that he is going to like it. Normally I wouldn't get involved, but he has a strangle hold on this town, and he is getting more powerful by the day. If I don't deal with him now, I might as well give him Magnolia House, because once he takes over he won't let us stay and he won't pay anything for it. So, I have to deal with this now, before it gets any worse." Tom looked at John and saw him nod his head, "Would that really be so bad? Do you really want this place?" Tom grinned and shook his head, "No, not really. But, I won't be run out either, and that's just what he will be doing. It became clear to me when he had young Randolph try to kill me. He couldn't handle the situation himself, so he sent the boy to do the job. I'm sure that he will find somebody else, and when I beat them it will be somebody again. He will keep it up until he finds somebody that can kill me. Then he will make his move, either with the boy or directly on Janet. If I'm dead it won't matter, but I would rather handle things before they come to that." John thought about it and nodded his head. Tom looked at his watch and nodded to John. They both stood and went to saddle their horses. Nobody asked where they were going, and they didn't talk to anybody as they prepared to leave. The ride into town was slow with both men keeping their own thoughts. When they could see the town Tom suddenly became alert, "Okay, from here on in, stay alert. Anything that looks suspicious, shoot first. And make sure that you watch Jacob Fenning." John nodded his head as he started scanning the area. When they got to the saloon it was already about half full. Tom looked the place over and found the poker table that he needed. There were five men sitting at the table. He ordered a beer and casually walked over to the table. After he watched the players finish a hand he asked, "Have you got room for another player?" The men looked at the young man and one of the older men asked him, "Son, I don't know you, and I don't like playing with men I don't know." Tom smiled at the man and nodded his head, "I can understand that sir. My name is Tom Sherman, and I'm the new owner of Magnolia House." He saw the older man's suspicious look. He kept his eyes on the older man until he looked away. The man nodded his head and moved his chair over a little to make room. The man beside him moved a little the other way and Tom could take a chair and place it in the space. Tom looked around the table, "I like to know who I am playing with, too. If you would be so kind." The older man nodded his head, "I'm Bert Haskins, I own the Morning Bird plantation." Tom nodded his head and looked at the next man. He saw that it was Ed Stark, "We've met." Then looked at the next man, and waited for him to Respond. "I've heard some things about you. I'm Henry Beaumont and I own the bank." Tom nodded his head once and then looked at the next man. He saw that it was Jacob Fenning, "We've met, too." He saw the surprised looks on the next man's face and grinned. "I'm Samuel Johnson, but everybody calls me Sammy, I own the Four Feathers plantation, just a few miles south of town. I'm surprised that you haven't visited since you have been here. I invite everybody to visit with me; it's one of my true pleasures." Tom suspected that now that he was started, he might not ever shut up. Apparently Bert Haskins thought the same thing, "Shut up Sammy, we're here to play cards, not chew the fat." Tom noticed that Sammy looked crestfallen and believed that he would rather talk than do anything else. Since he was new player they passed the cards to him, for the deal. Tom quickly shuffled and passed the cards to Sammy to cut. Tom dealt and was looking at a pair of kings. He glanced around the table and when the bet came to him, he folded. Tom won more than he lost. About an hour later Bert Haskins lost a big hand and threw his cards down in disgust, and said that he had had enough. Tom watched as he moved away from the table. He knew that he would be intercepted so he didn't watch. A half hour later Tom watched as Henry Beaumont bet big on a King high flush and lost to Ed Stark with a full house. Henry signed a marker and called it a night. Tom had been nursing his beer all night and called the bartender, and raised his glass. It was a usual occurrence and nobody paid any attention. While he was waiting for his beer, Tom wiped the sweat out of his hat. When his beer came Tom said, "Hey barkeep, these cards a starting to feel a little bit used, can we have another deck?" Tom watched the bartender look confused, "Them ain't my cards. They belong to Mr. Stark. He always uses his own cards. I don't have nothing to do with them." Tom nodded his head that he understood. When the hammer of his pistol cocked it sounded loud enough to be heard across the room, and everybody froze. Ed Stark looked over to find Tom's pistol pointing at his chest. "Just keep your hands on the table, where I can see them." Stark had a vicious smile on his face when he heard another hammer being cocked. Neither Tom nor Ed looked over, but Ed said, "Did you hear that? Jacob has a gun pointing at your chest, too. Why don't you put the gun down, or do you just hate to lose that much?" Tom smiled and said, "Why don't you look again? That wasn't Mr. Fenning's pistol that you heard." Ed quickly looked and his eyes got big. Jacob Fenning was sitting with his pistol half out of his holster and John had his pistol resting against the back of his head. Ed looked back at Tom and grinned, "Well, it seems that you came prepared. Are you going to rob us now?" Tom smiled, "Nope, if I wanted to rob you, I would just play cards with you, but I hate a cheat. You Mr. Stark, are a cheat." Tom saw Ed Stark wanted to reach for his gun, but looking at the barrel of one slowed him down a little. "That's awful brave talk, when you have a gun pointing at me." Tom smiled even bigger, "Yep, and it's gonna keep pointing at you, or would you rather that it went off?" Tom saw Ed Stark slowly shake his head. Tom didn't take his eyes off of Stark when he spoke, "Barkeep, I think that you better get the sheriff over here." The bartender agreed with him on that point. He called into the back room, "Billie, get out here." It was the same boy that they had seen before. He looked at the guns before he looked at the bartender. "Go get the sheriff, and be quick about it." The boy was off at a run. Tom never took his eyes off Stark. John took Fenning's pistol and kept it pointing at Stark as well. When the sheriff and two deputies arrived they were all carrying shotguns. They sized up the situation quickly. The sheriff moved over to the table and looked the situation over. "What seems to be the trouble here?" For the first time Tom looked somewhere other than at Ed Stark's eyes. "Well sheriff, it seems that Mr. Stark here is a cheat and a thief." The sheriff looked hard at Stark, "I sure hope that you can prove what you say, young feller." Tom smiled and looked over at John, "You got'em?" John nodded his head. He stood casually, but with a pistol in each hand you knew that he was ready for action. Tom picked up the cards and shuffled them. He looked at the sheriff. "When I asked for a new deck of cards, the barkeep told me that Stark only uses his own cards. That means that these cards are his." Tom called out, three of spades, and flipped the card over in front of Ed Stark. It was the three of spades. Tom called the ten of hearts and flipped the card. It was the ten of hearts. He had everybody's attention now. He kept calling cards and flipping them over. When the sheriff had seen enough, he called a halt. "Okay, so he is cheating, but how is he doing it?" Tom looked at the cards." These are special cards. A company out of Saint Louis makes them. They say they are for magic tricks, but we both know what they are rally for. They have made their way up and down the Mississippi, until they were outlawed. Anybody found with a deck of these cards, are shot on sight. You see sheriff there are special little marks in the pattern. Once you get used to them, you can see them from across the table. You know every card in everybody's hand. Really, I'm surprised to see them so far east, but I bet that Mr. Stark came from out west somewhere." Tom watched as the Sheriff started to grab Stark, "Hold it sheriff. He still has his gun, and I don't know how many he might have on him." The sheriff called his two deputies and had then search him, while he held the shotgun on him. They found two guns, three knives and one piece of wire. When they were finished Tom interrupted them again, "You better search Fenning the same way, they are partners." The sheriff looked surprised but waved the deputies to him. John took a step back, but kept his pistol pointed at him. They found another gun and two knives. Before they were hauled away the two big losers from the game came up to talk to the sheriff and he refunded their losses for the night. The rest he dropped in front of Tom. Tom looked at it and called the Bartender. He handed the money to him, "Free drinks to everybody until this runs out. And you know how I feel about cheats and thieves." The bartender nodded his head and hurried away. The sheriff grinned at him, "That was real nice of you. There are gonna be a lot of people celebrating around here for a while. We will be tearing up markers as soon as we find them. Can't do much about what he already took away from people, but we'll be able to put a stop to that now." Tom nodded his head, "If I see him loose again, I'll shoot him on sight." The sheriff knew that he meant what he said, "You and half the county, son." Tom grinned and decided to call it a day. His back was slapped so many times before he could leave that he was sure that he had bruises. The warriors were still cautious and watched everybody, but let them have their fun. It was well after dark when the warriors rode into the stables of Magnolia House. The stable boys were quick to appear. As usual, they didn't want the men taking care of their own horses. Tom shrugged and handed his horse over to their attentions. The warriors made their way into the kitchen, from the back door. There they ran into an ambush. All of the women were waiting, and none of them looked happy. Robert took one look and decided that it was time for him to head to his bed. He had taken over Mr. Storey's cottage some time ago, to be closer to the workers, and the fields. Tom wondered if it was too late to go hunting. He looked at the angry faces of his women and decided that he might as well get it over with. He noticed Victoria in the mob, but was surprised that she wasn't paying him any attention. He suddenly realized that since he had got back she hadn't visited his bedroom once. He looked to see what she was looking at and found Peter had a funny look on his face. He suddenly realized that things had changed while he had been gone, and he considered them good changes. He did notice that Jess was present, but she seemed divided between him and Peter. Tom grinned, that was also a good change. He looked each women in the eye until she looked away, then he walked past them and to his room. He wasn't surprised when they followed. Once he was in his bedroom, he calmly removed his clothes and climbed into bed. The girls realized what he was doing and quickly started shedding clothes. As Tom was waiting for them to finish he began to speak and all of the women stopped to listen to him. "I don't know what that little demonstration in the kitchen was supposed to mean, but I will tell you this, I come and go as I please. If any of you don't like it, tell me and I'll find someplace else for you to live. I don't answer to you, or anybody else." Tom looked at the stunned faces around the room. Janet was the one that finally spoke, "Tom, we worry about you, and we don't want anything to happen to you." Tom snorted in disgust, "You had better realize that I'm already dead. I'm just waiting to stop breathing. I accepted my death a long time ago, and whenever it happens I will meet it like a warrior; not hiding behind some woman's skirts. You have each claimed that you are my whore and that I am your master. Not one of you acted like I was her master this night, and I'm ashamed that my warriors saw you acting like that. I don't want to see any of you until tomorrow, and you will not be allowed in this room until I tell you otherwise. Now, get out!" Tom turned over to go to sleep, to the stunned silence that quickly turned to crying and snivels. He closed his eyes and tried to relax. He felt the bed shift and his eyes popped open to see Janet reaching for him. His hand shot out and his fist connected with her jaw. She tumbled from the bed, back on the floor. Tom's eyes flared with anger as he looked at the women. "I don't know how stupid you are, but there are people that are too stupid to live. I should kill every one of you. First you forget your place, then you embarrass me in front of my warriors, and now you disobey me." Tom looked at each of them and saw that they wouldn't meet his eyes. His glare did not go unnoticed though, as each of them was snaking peeks when they could. "I will tell you this one last time, get out of my sight. And, from now on, you will not speak to me until I decide that you have earned the right. If you speak to me or touch me, I will put you on your ass." Tom looked at Janet and he knew that she was aware of his attention, "And that was just a love pat, for what you have to look forward to. Now get out!" Tom watched the four women scramble for the door and noticed that the crying and sniveling had started up again. Once the door was closed he got up and walked over to the door and flipped the lock. Then he blew out the lamp and crawled back into bed. He had forgotten how peaceful the last month had been, and had forgotten how lonely the last month had been. The next morning, at the kitchen table everyone was gathered when Tom entered the room. He was dressed in soft buckskin britches, his soft leather boots, and he had his knife at his hip. His women wouldn't meet his eyes, but all of the others openly stared. The warriors knew what it meant for him to be dressed like this. John spoke in Cheyenne, "Fighting Hawk, what are you doing here?" Tom looked hard at John, but realized that Cheyenne was what he should be speaking. Tom answered him in Cheyenne, "I have been living like a white man for too long. I have grown soft, and last night I was even concerned about a scolding from a woman." Tom snorted in disgust. "I'm going hunting. I will talk with the spirits and be a ghost in the mountains. I will remember the life, and dreams, of my people. I will kill my enemies and plan the destruction of the white man. I will remember who I am." They watched as Fighting Hawk walked to the kitchen door. He was at a dead run by the time his feet touched the ground. When the warriors got to the door and looked out, Fighting Hawk had his horse out of the stable and was jumping on his back. He used no bridle or reins. They watched as he took off at a run across the fields, mindless of the fresh crops recently planted, as any warrior would. John looked at Peter and Robert, and still spoke in Cheyenne, "Something has stirred Fighting Hawk's spirit. I hope that he doesn't start a war. I don't think that even he could take on the white man and live." Peter watched the dust settle after his passing, "Knowing him, he would probably raise an army of spirits and still win." The other two nodded their heads as they watched him disappear in the distance. John turned back to the table and looked at the anxious faces. "Okay, what happened last night?" John saw four women instantly start crying and cursed every woman that he had ever known. It was Wei that finally dropped to the floor and started to speak, "He said that we had forgotten our place, and that we had embarrassed him and that we had disobeyed him. He ordered us leave him, and not to speak to him until he told us that we had earned the right." She then wailed and the others joined her. John looked at the other warriors. "That wasn't that bad, but I think that it has been coming for a while. I think it was just the last straw. Since we have gotten here he has had Ed Stark on his mind. After finishing with him last night, it was just what he needed to push him past what he wanted to deal with. Since we left he has been carrying the responsibilities of our people on his shoulders. He needs to release some steam and get himself straightened out. I wish that I could have gone with him, I could use a little of that myself." The others nodded and longingly looked out the door to where Tom disappeared. During Tom's absence Robert ran the plantation, and John and Peter helped where they could. Tom's women acted like they had a wasting disease. They were walking around crying at any excuse, and losing weight. They never looked like they slept and John finally couldn't take it anymore and asked Ming and Ping to speak to them. When they came back their story wasn't good. John thought that maybe it would help if they were allowed back into his bedroom. He took them up there and unlocked the door and ordered them into the room, but they wouldn't cross the threshold. Janet did dart in and she retrieved Tom's short clothes, then she was out again, with her stolen clothes held tightly to her breasts. John watched as the other women followed her as she ran to their room. Things got a little better after that, even though John didn't know why and Ming and Ping wouldn't tell him. John expected Tom back after the fall harvest, since he had to think about Washington and the session starting back up. When he didn't show up, John sent a telegram to Luke. He couldn't explain everything that had happened, so he just said that they were staying in Virginia and he would let them know when they would be back. He didn't feel that there was much else that he could do, but wait. It was the middle of January when Fighting Hawk emerged from the woods, leading his horse. When John saw him he was shocked. He wondered if that as how he looked in the Cheyenne village. He was thin and muscles bulged in every direction. He walked like a cat, and made even less noise. His hair had grown out and it was loose on his head like he used to wear it. He carried a bow and there was huge buck draped across his horse. His horse wasn't much different from him; he also was lean and bulging with muscles. Fighting Hawk had some new scars and John noticed that even his horse had a few battle scars. Fighting Hawk smiled when he saw him. John looked around nervously, "Tom, we need to get you in the bathing room quick." Tom raised an eyebrow, "I promise you that I did have a bath today, it was one cold son-of-a-bitch, and it was short, but I took one." John quickly shook his head, "No! You look like a Cheyenne warrior, damn it. We need to get you looking like a white man again." Tom looked at John, and some fire in his eyes went out. It was almost enough to make John want to cry, but he straightened his back and faced it. Tom nodded his head, "You're right, of course. The vacation is over, and we have to get back to real life, and put our dreams back in their little boxes." John nodded his head. John got a shirt for Tom, and after tying his hair back he thought that it was be good enough to get him to the bathing room. Mei saw Tom first and she screamed and ran to him, "Master, you're back! I'm so glad to see you." Tom slapped her and knocked her down without looking at her or slowing down. He spoke over his shoulder, "You haven't earned the right to speak to me yet." Mei didn't care; he had spoken to her and he didn't ignore her. It was worth any pain just to be with him. She happily trailed along behind him, like a puppy wagging its' tail. John got Tom into the bathing room. While Tom was enjoying a hot bath John called the other warriors in to help. Mei spread the word to the other women that Tom was back. After a real shave and a haircut, and some acceptable clothes Tom could once again pass for a white man. It wasn't what he wanted, but he knew that he had to do it. His women were waiting outside the bathing room door. All of them were on their knees, including Janet. Tom passed by them like he didn't see them, but they knew better. Ming and Ping saw something different than the other women. They weren't blinded by their feelings, and they saw a different man than the one that had left a few months before. This man moved like a cat and his eyes raked over them and left them feeling that he had seen them down to the skin and that they had no secrets that he didn't know. He could move fast and silent with the sureness of a cobra. They saw the hard, flat and emotionless eyes and it caused them to hold onto each other for comfort. When they saw him, they were afraid of him, and they wondered what happened to the man that they knew. Robert wanted to walk Tom around the plantation and show him the changes that were taking place. Tom was surprised to see Randolph working in one of the fields with the slaves. Tom nodded at him and asked, "How did that happen?" Robert looked and shrugged his shoulders. "He showed up here after they hung Stark and his buddy. It turns out that once he couldn't get his hands on Magnolia House, Stark put him to work in his stable, to pay his debt. When they hung Stark and tore up all of his markers, he was a free man again, but with no money and no place to go. He came here looking for a job." Tom shook his head, "What kind of job did you give him?" Robert shrugged again, "I didn't believe it at first, and I have to admit that I was pretty hard on him. I had him working in the stables and then moved him into the fields for planting and harvesting. He never made a sound about any of it, including bathing with the slaves. No matter what I tell him to do, he does it, no complaints and no grumbling." Tom looked at the young man again with new interest. He wondered what had really happened to cause the changes in him. Dinner was a quiet affair. The warriors were curious, but there were too many ears. The women wanted to talk to him, but didn't want to get knocked out of their chairs. So it was quiet and everyone listened to their own thoughts. After dinner Tom sat on the porch and the warriors sat around him. John ran the women off, to give them the privacy that they wanted. "What did you do while you were gone?" Tom thought for a long time, and they thought that he wasn't going to say when he spoke. "I lived in the mountains. They aren't that different from home. I hunted and talked with the spirits, just like I said that I was going to do. "John looked at him pointedly and Tom looked away. "I also thought about what we were doing. I got into a few fights and killed a few people. That about sums it up." John looked at him, "No details? No telling us all about the one that got away?" Tom grinned, "John in the mood I was in, I can guarantee that nothing got away. I might have killed it a little more thoroughly than was necessary, but nothing got away." Peter grinned. That was something that he could understand. John laughed, "Well, it sounds like you managed to get your demons under control again." Tom though before he answered, "No, my demons are still loose and running wild, but my duty is firmly back in control." John nodded his head; it was all that he was concerned about. "When do you want to go back to Washington?" Tom thought for a minute, "I want to wait around here for a while and see if Randolph has truly changed. If he has I will offer him the management of Magnolia House. I will keep Robert here for a while to keep an eye on things, and to make sure that he keeps the books in order. When I'm sure about things, we will head back." John nodded that he understood, "I have another question, it's none of my business, but I'm going to ask it anyway. When are you going to make peace with your women, they have been driving us crazy around here?" Tom casually replied, "When they impress me and they earn the right to be my women again. I won't have women treating me like a little boy and embarrassing me." John snorted, "Please Tom. There isn't a man here that doesn't understand. We all have women, and we know how they get. They didn't embarrass you." Tom shook his head, "You don't understand. If I take them home with me, then they will embarrass me. I will have to stake them out in front of my lodge, or the other warriors will think that I have gone soft. If I start training them now, they might have a chance to understand what will be expected of them." Tom watched the realization set in with the other warriors. They understood what he was talking about and knew that it was something that they would have to deal with also. Peter spoke softly, "When we leave, Victoria will be going with me." It wasn't a surprise to Tom, "What about Jess?" Peter looked surprised before he replied, "That is your problem, not mine. She likes to play with us, but she has her sights on you, and nobody else will do." Tom snorted in disgust. "I had hoped that in bringing her here, that she would find somebody." Peter laughed, "Not a chance of that happening. I think that she is going to be like Wei, once she gets you she won't even play anymore. She is determined that she will have you, sooner or later." Tom shook his head. After the warriors left, Tom pulled John aside, "Tell me about Peter." John grinned, "Victoria caught him by surprise when you were gone that month. At first he didn't know what was going on, and he came to me for help. Since you weren't around I gave him the same speech that you gave me. He took it just about as well as I did. But, just like me, he got the idea. Once he understood he never looked back. I think that he will be a lot like you; women are starting to take notice of him more. I think he will have a whole gaggle of women before long." Tom looked after Peter and shook his head, "Poor man. He doesn't have a clue to what awaits him." John laughed. Two weeks later and after many conversations, Tom felt that Randolph really had changed. But, he still wanted to know why. He called him to the library. After Randolph sat Tom didn't waste any time, "We have talked about a lot of things, and I am convinced that you really have changed. But, I want to know why you changed. Don't tell me that working in the stables changed you. The smell of horse shit doesn't change a person; it just makes them sick, and sometimes hate horses." Tom watched as Randolph smiled, "No, I changed before that, or they never would have gotten me in that stable. I think that I changed when we were fighting. I knew that I was going to die. I knew that there was nothing in this world that could save me. When I realized that I also had nothing to live for, it made a difference in my life. I was determined to take you with me, but I couldn't do that either. I was a little boy, trying to act like a grown-up and being used. I really thought that when you pulled my head up and put your knife to my throat, that I was about to die. Then you asked if I yielded. You were giving me a chance to live; a chance to change things. It hit me hard and I had a lot of time to think about things as I recovered from my injuries. I had a lot of them too. You did a good job on me, but the doctor said that you never hit anything that was important. He said that with the number of cuts that I had, it was obvious that you could have struck anywhere that you wanted, and he said that you must have wanted to keep me alive. That was a real surprise to me; I thought that you wanted to kill me." Randolph took a deep breath and sighed. "Once I thought about it, I realized that you had never done anything to really hurt me. You let me stay here even after I acted like a fool. You let me stay while I was learning to shoot, John told me later that he had followed me. And even after I tried to kill you, you let me live. I realized that I wasn't much good for anything, and that included being a man. When I thought about it, I saw that you weren't that much older than me, but you were a man. It was obvious that you had learned a lot more about life than I did. You didn't feel the same way about slaves, or money, or women, or about anything that I did. That told me that I needed to think about things again. I needed to learn the things that you learned and see what I had been missing. That's what changed me." Randolph looked Tom in the eye, "I've learned a lot about people since then. I've worked beside slaves, and white people and the only difference that I have seen is that a white man thinks that he is better. He usually isn't, but he thinks so. When you learn that one thing that you always thought is a lie, you start to wonder how much more is a lie. I came here to talk to you, but they said that you were gone for a while so I asked for a job. I saw how you treat the slaves, and how hard they work for you. I saw what you can do without a whip, and how happy the slaves were. I learned a lot just working here." Tom thought about it and nodded his head, "How would you like to run Magnolia House for me?" Randolph was stunned. "No, I couldn't do it. I would make too many mistakes. I don't know enough yet. I'm not the right man for the job." Tom grinned; every time he opened his mouth he convinced Tom that he was the right man for the job. A man can only succeed when he knows that he can fail. Tom smiled, "I think that you'll do okay. I'll keep Robert here with you for a while to make sure that you are doing well, and to help you learn to keep the books, like I want them kept. I'm sure that you will do fine once you set your mind to it. Just remember one thing, always be willing to learn, and never be too proud to admit that you don't know something. The lowest man you will ever meet, will know how to do something that you don't. Watch and learn from everybody. Some things you can watch and learn not to do, but always be willing to learn." Randolph listened carefully and nodded his head that he understood. "I'll try not to let you down." Tom smiled at him as he stood up, and held out his hand to shake, "I'm sure that you won't" A week later the girls were allowed to talk to Tom again, but he still wasn't allowing them to touch him. They were happy with what they could get. It reminded Mei and Su of when they first met Tom. ------- Chapter 58: Ghosts Two weeks later they left to return to Washington. John sent a telegram to Luke letting them know when they would be arriving. Tom wasn't surprised when Luke and Ben met them at the depot. Tom was surprised when he got back to the house and met Melody Grimes, Willard's wife. She seemed like a nice woman. When Tom asked, Frieda said that she was very nice and well adapted to the house. Tom wasn't exactly sure what that meant, but he decided to wait and see. The girls were excited to be back. Tom sent them to Chinatown to visit with their friends, and Wei with her family, while he caught up on business and the goings on of the Franchelli family. He was glad to see that things were running normally in all respects. It made him think about returning home. It took another two weeks for the girls to make their way back into Tom's bedroom. It was a hard battle, and they learned a valuable lesson. Tom was happy that the pussy drought of forty-nine was over. The girls were happy that they could cuddle with Tom again, and vowed to never make the same mistake again. Tom decided to have a little fun at Peter's expense. He gave Peter an invitation to a party that he wanted him to attend. This wasn't unusual since he had attended many parties in his place. Victoria on the other hand, let him know quickly and without reservations that she would be attending the party with him. The girls took her to see Wong Su Tzu, and introduced her to a whole new level of dressmaking. Victoria was stunned at the service, and the absolute perfection of her dress. Wong Su Tzu informed her that she did not make party dresses, she created evening gowns. Victoria had nothing to reference he experiences to, and soon found herself begging Janet for help. Janet smiled and took her under her wing. Taking her from place to place and showing her the accepted fashions of Washington. When Peter retuned from the party, Victoria was mad and stomped around the house. Tom raised and inquisitive eye. Victoria told him how Peter and acted rude to the other guests and she had been embarrassed. Tom raised an eye to Peter and he shrugged his shoulders, "I wasn't there for business, and I wasn't giving anything away. Senator Thompson kept after me about dirt on Senator Radcliff. I wasn't in the mood for it and told him what I thought." Tom nodded his head knowingly. None of this made any sense to Victoria and didn't help her mood that Tom wouldn't take her side of the argument. Tom raised a hand and told her to explain things to Janet, and see what she told her about it. Victoria stomped off and Peter followed. Victoria got an earful from Janet about butting her nose into Tom's business. She explained the way that Washington worked and what Tom did for business. Victoria was shocked at the idea of buying and selling dirt on people. Janet laughed and explained how things really worked in the halls of government. Victoria didn't know which was worse, the business or the people that used the information. Her vision of glamorous Washington was crushed. Peter realized that Tom had been right, and he decided that training for Vitoria would start immediately. That night Tom and the girls were sitting in the steam room when Willard and Melody came in. Tom smiled and nodded at the arrivals. Willard nodded in return and Melody squeaked as she tried to cover herself. Willard told her in a firm voice, "Mel, get your hands down and act normal. There's nothing to be ashamed of. Now get over there and sit down." Tom raised an eyebrow at Willard and saw him wink in return. Tom and the girls made no pretense in checking out her charms. They were in turn displayed for Melody's inspection, if she could find the courage to do it. Tom could see that Willard had taken his lessons to heart and had a firm grasp of the situation. Tom looked at Willard as he spoke, "Willard, you know that Jess is back now, don't you?" Tom watched a moment of fear cross Willard's face before it was firmly under control. Willard nodded to Tom. Tom continued, "Don't you think that you should introduce her to Melody?" Willard looked confused and Tom just kept watching as a number of things crossed Willard's mind, and his face. Tom saw when his meaning was suddenly understood and he watched as Willard grinned as he nodded his head. Tom stood and said good night as he left the steam room. The girls quickly splashed water over themselves and followed him out. When they were back in Tom's bedroom Janet asked, "Do you think it was a good idea to tell Willard to sic Jess on her?" Tom smiled, "Probably not, but she will have to learn to deal with it, if she is going to live here. If a person is going to learn to swim, they might as well learn to swim in the deep water. I wonder how long it will take Jess to have her eating out of her hand?" Mei and Su giggled and Janet laughed as she said, "Did you say hand? That's not where Jess will have her eating, I'll promise you that." The girls all laughed and Mei said, "That is one girl that loves to have her pussy eaten." Su chimed in with, "Well, it might have something to do with the fact that her pleasure button is as big as a boy's cock." Janet laughed again and waved her finger at them, "And both of you love every inch of it." They all laughed before Su answered her, "You are trying to sound like you don't. I've seen you with that knob on your mouth, somebody has to swat you, to make you let go." They were all laughing so hard that they had tears running down their faces. Tom grinned and slipped his hard cock into Su's pussy from behind. Her laughter died and she moaned. "Yes master, hard and deep. Ignore these two cows." Mei and Janet looked at each other, "Did that bitch just call us a cow?" Janet grinned at Mei and grabbed her tit, "She's just jealous that I have bigger tits than she does." They both burst out laughing, but Su responded between thrusts, "Of course they are bigger, and they hang down to your stomach, just like the old woman that you are." Janet's eyes flashed, and then she smiled. She quickly dove down between Su's legs and latched on to her protruding clit. With her holding it between her teeth she spoke to Su, "Want this old woman to bite?" Su gasped and shook her head, "No! You aren't an old woman. You're a young beautiful girl with big firm tits." Janet gave another hard suck and let it slip from her mouth, "Well, now I see what I have to do to get the truth out of you." Janet and Mei giggled, but Su was past the point of caring any more. The rest of that night was more conversations during sex. They each tried to see how long they could go before giving up and surrendering to the pounding that Tom was handing out. Tom didn't know when it happened, but it was obvious that it did when Melody's shyness around the girls disappeared. Jess was walking around with a grin on her face that death couldn't wipe off. Tom also noticed that Willard had a little smile, and on him that was like other people walking around carrying a sign. Tom called John into the drawing room and told him it was time to him to go hunting. John looked confused for a minute before the meaning hit him. He grinned and said that he would leave first thing in the morning. Tom nodded his head and watched John almost fly from the room. Ming and Ping weren't as happy as John was; after a few days of taking their anger out on everyone Tom cornered them in the upstairs hall, late in the afternoon. "I'm tired of everybody running from you two. You need to get your anger under control. Warriors leave from time to time and you need to get used to it. This time, I sent him away. If you want to blame somebody, then blame me. I will wait for you out back if you want to work out a little anger on me." Tom turned and walked away. He was surprised when they showed up, ready for a fight. Tom stripped down to his britches and his boots, and had his knife on his hip. He wouldn't intentionally hurt them, but he knew that they carried a number of small knives. He quickly found that they were a match for any warrior, but Tom wasn't just a warrior, he was Fighting Hawk. He used every trick that he knew and even invented a couple as he went. They had established routines for keeping a person busy while the other attacked. Since he was trying to keep it at a no blood contest, he had to work twice as hard. He took a few hard knocks, but he dealt out a few as well. Any thought of hitting a woman went out the window when one of them kicked him in the face the first time. A half hour later all three of them were gasping and panting for air. Sweat was dripping off of all of them. Tom watched them wearily as they moved to each other and held on. It looked like they were holding each other up, but he had seen a trick like that before, he even had the bruise to prove it. He watched as they sat down, leaning against each other. He still couldn't tell them apart. So he didn't know which one was doing the talking. "Master Tom, you're the first man that we couldn't beat. We know that you could have beaten us; you never took your knife out, and we have seen you use it. You could have won easily, but you didn't want to hurt us. We thank you for that. After how we have been behaving, we deserved nothing less. You were right about this; we don't have any anger left in us. We think that we will be okay now." Tom listened as he worked hard to breathe. He nodded to them as he moved toward the house. He still watched them carefully, just in case it was a trick. "I'm going to get a nice hot bath. If anybody gets in my way there will be another fight, and I won't be so nice to them." The women giggled at him as he picked up his clothes and limped toward the house. Tom was sitting in the steam room when Ming and Ping entered. It wasn't the first time that he had seen them, but they usually covered up unless they were with John. Tom was surprised when they took a seat on each side of him. He was more surprised when one of them turned him and started massaging his sore muscles in his neck and shoulders. He let out a groan that he was sure that Robert heard in Virginia, and the girls giggled. He thought that sounded strange coming from them, but he liked it. While one worked on his back the other worked on his legs. Then they turned him over on his stomach and really went to work. When they finished, they rolled him over and did his front. Between the steam and the massage, he didn't think that he could move. They each grabbed a wrist and pulled him to his feet, then the cold water hit him and he found all kinds of strength that he didn't know that he had. They led him out to the tub and he saw it was filled with steaming water. They helped him in and then washed him from toes to nose. He was surprised that they didn't skip any place in between. When they were finished they helped him up and over to the bench. They dried him and wrapped his silk robe around him. He didn't remember bringing his robe but it felt good on his tired body. When they were finished they took him into the kitchen and Mei and Su took over and took him off to bed. That was the last thing that he remembered that night. When he woke he felt better than he had in a long time. The exercise had been extreme, but the steam and the bath had gotten rid of most of the sore muscles. Now he just felt charged up. The women cuddling with him woke before he managed to slip out of bed, and he assumed that they went to bed early, too. They were very cuddly that morning and were going out of their way to do things for him. When Tom asked Wei told him, "The terror twins were about to drive everybody crazy, and we all were moving around in groups, for protection. Now they are sweet and cuddly again. We can't tell you how much we appreciate it." Tom grinned. He didn't want to say that he really enjoyed the workout, as he thought that might get him hurt. John got back almost two months later. His girls were happy at his arrival, and the changes in him. He was lean and strong and he had that same edge that Tom had when he returned from his hunt. Tom sent Peter out next, and he was only gone for a month. He came back hard and focused. Tom decided to send Luke and Ben as a team, and they didn't complain. When they got back a month later they were also lean and trim and Tom noticed the intensity that they had. He also noticed that they didn't seem happy, not like the other warriors. Tom called Luke into the parlor and asked him about it. Luke sat and was quiet for a while before he spoke, and Tom didn't rush him. "We really enjoyed going out and hunting and living off the land again. But, we both missed our life here. We like sleeping in a bed, and drinking coffee in the morning. We like eating at the restaurant and have the girls cook for us. We like not having to kill our dinner, and skin it, before we cook it. Tom, as much as we enjoy our life as a Cheyenne warrior, we also enjoy being white men and living in civilization. We like hot baths and clean clothes. I'm afraid that I make a better white man, than I do an Indian. I hope that you don't think any less of us." Tom listened and in many ways he realized that he felt the same way, and in just as many he didn't. Tom smile at Luke, "You remember when I was preparing to take this trip? I asked people that I wanted to have with me. I asked white boys that had grown up as a Cheyenne, just like I had. You had already left and came back. You knew what to expect, but we were a little more prepared than you were. We have a nice life here, and I agree that it is comfortable. I miss the Cheyenne village, and my people. Do I think any less of you? No, I don't. You never pretended to love the Cheyenne village, or way of life. But you do love the people and that is important. As long as you remember your duty, I don't have a problem with you wanting to be a white man, before being an Indian." Luke looked happier than he had been in a long time. "Thanks Tom, I was hoping that you would understand." Tom smiled and watched as Luke almost skipped from the room. A week later Tom talked to everybody after dinner, "It is almost the middle of summer. I need to go to Virginia and check on how things are getting along there, and it's time to bring Robert back." Tom looked around the table and saw mixed emotions. He looked at Victoria and Janet, "Do either of you want to return home? You might not ever get the chance again. It is time to decide if you want to live at Magnolia House, or with the men that you have chosen. We only offer hardship and heartbreak, but that it your choice." Tom saw Peter was about to say something and motioned for him to stay quiet. He knew that either of them could sway the girls into staying with them, but he wanted them to decide on their own, for their own reasons. Janet was the first to speak, "Like you said, you are the man that I chose. I will stay with my man, and my master." Victoria looked at Janet and then Peter, "As much as I love the parties and the pretty dresses, I would rather have Peter than all the dresses in the world." She flew out of her seat and into his arms. Tom smiled at them. Early the next morning, Tom and John left for the depot. They put their horses in a freight car and sat in the carriage seats. John paid a little visit to the engineer and they waited for the train to leave. It was a long trip with nothing to distract them. When it was time, they got off the train and found that their horses were already unloaded and waiting. They tipped the freight car boy and watched the train disappear down the tracks. Almost an hour later, they were riding into Dearing. Tom stood at the bar in the saloon drinking a beer. He listened to the news and the gossip. He didn't hear anything that he didn't expect to hear. When they left the saloon they stopped at the sheriff's office. The sheriff was happy to see them. When Tom asked about Randolph the sheriff smiled, "That is one fine young man there. You did a good job on turning him around. He doesn't drink more than a beer or two, and he never touches cards or gambles. He treats everybody with respect. Yes, you did a good job there. I just wish you could do that for a few of the other no-accounts running around here." Tom grinned before he said, "You really want me to go around cutting up the boys, just to hope that they will see the light?" The sheriff thought for minute before saying, "Naw, but a few of 'em it wouldn't be much loss, either way." They shook hands and Tom and John rode out of town, heading to Magnolia House. When they arrived Tom was swamped. Nana was on him before he knew what to say and then Millie had to have a turn. Before he knew what happened, all of the women wanted a hug that turned into a grope. Tom was embarrassed to admit that he didn't have any idea how many women were hugging, kissing and feeling him up. The men were standing around watching and laughing at the looks on his face. When Millie finally called a halt to the festivities Tom was sure that he was about to cum in his pants. Millie laughed at his condition, and Tom grinned. Tom went over the books and they checked out the plantation, from one end to the other. Tom was pleased with how things were running and that everything was being well maintained. Tom told Randolph that Robert was going to be going back with them. Randolph looked terrified at first, but then he squared his shoulders and nodded his head. He had become a man of as few words as Tom. They grinned at each other and shook hands. The next morning on the way out of town they stopped by the bank and talked to Henry Beaumont. Henry had reason to remember Tom, and had made it a point to always handle all of his business personally. Nothing was too small or unimportant for Henry, if Tom was involved. Tom arranged to have Randolph added to the account for Magnolia House, and explained that Randolph would be running things for him. Henry shook his hand and assured him that he would keep an eye on things. They couldn't intercept the train and had to ride to Richmond. There they found that the north-bound train wouldn't arrive until the next day. Tom found a hotel close to the depot and they took rooms. It was after eating dinner that trouble found them. Tom was leading them back to their room when he suddenly found a knife at his throat. A voice spoke in unmistakable Cheyenne, "Now I have Fighting Hawk under my knife." As much as Tom wanted to fight, he knew that he couldn't. He was not worried about the knife, or the man holding it. It was the fact that he had spoken Cheyenne, and he knew who he was. He had to find out what else he knew, and who he had told. Tom spoke English, "If you are going to rob me, my wallet is in my coat pocket." He felt the knife quiver for a second, before the tension eased at his throat. The man didn't remove it, but he wasn't keeping the pressure there either. This time he spoke English, "I'm not here to rob you. You are an Indian, named Fighting Hawk and I am here to kill you." Tom smiled, even though he couldn't see it. "Do you know what that sounds like?" He felt the blade move farther from his neck. He knew that John would have his pistol ready, but he didn't want him to interfere in this. It was his worst fear, and he wanted to face it. Tom slowly raised his hand and motioned to where John and Robert could easily see. He heard the hammers of pistols being eased back down and put away. Tom spoke to the man again. "As you can plainly see, I am not an Indian. What makes you believe that I am your enemy?" He saw the blade tremble as it eased down to his chest, but he made no motion to move away. He wanted to know more, and he needed to keep the man talking. He heard the soft voice behind him, "I'm Lieutenant Joshua Spencer, at least I was, before this Fighting Hawk had me drummed out of the Army." Tom nodded his head, "Did an Indian really have you drummed out of the army, or did you do something yourself?" He felt the man tense against him. He heard the tremor in his voice, "I ... I might ... have ... been foolish. But, he got them to drum me out. It is his fault that I'm not in the army now. I was a good officer, and I deserved the respect of my men, but he made them hate me." Tom slowly shook his head. "I don't think that he did that. You were the only one that could do that. Respect is earned. Did you earn their respect, or demand it?" He felt the lieutenant stiffen. "I never got the chance to show them what I could do. I could have been a great man, but now look at me." Tom once again shook his head. "This isn't the first time that you have seen your enemy in the face of another man, is it? You have held other men, with your knife at their throat, haven't you?" Tom saw and heard the knife fall to the floor. He heard the soft sobs, "Yes. More than once in the last eighteen months, I have held my knife at his throat, only to find that it wasn't him. I'm not crazy, but I don't know why I keep seeing the people of my past before my eyes." Tom turned and took the young lieutenant by the arm and guided him back toward the restaurant. When they were seated, Tom ordered drinks for them. John and Robert sat quietly at the next table. Tom handed the drink to the lieutenant, "Tell me about it." The lieutenant quickly threw his drink back and swallowed the fiery liquid, before a shiver ran down his spine. "The Army made me resign, and I returned home in disgrace. My father never said as much, but I could tell that he was disappointed. I went with him to Washington. He is a Senator, and I went to help him and to learn how things are done. We went to meet with a man who had some information that my father wanted. What I saw was a man from my past. I was sure that it was him, even though I only met him once." Tom was surprised at the story that he found himself hearing. "I waited until he was leaving and caught him by surprise, just like I did you. He spoke to me, he told me his name. He wasn't the same man. I was so sure that he was. When his carriage arrived I apologized and let him go on his way. Even the man with him looked like one of the men from my past." He shivered and Tom motioned for another drink. "My father wouldn't even listen to my excuses. He sent me home. I've seen other people since then, both Indians and white men. I'm starting to believe that I really am going crazy. Then tonight I saw you. I had never seen him before, and suddenly there you were right in front of me. I had to act. Now I find that you aren't him, either." Tom could hear the soft sob and shook his head. "What are you doing here?" Tom spoke softly and hoped that he didn't set him off again. "I didn't do well at home and father decided that I had to go live with my uncle, in Charleston. He said that I needed a change and I needed to get away from everybody from my past." Tom nodded his head in understanding. He spoke quietly, "You know that you are carrying your troubles with you, don't you?" The young lieutenant looked at him searchingly. "Yes. The fact that I saw you here only proves your words." Tom nodded his head, "Everybody that you have seen is responsible in some way for what happened to you, aren't they?" Tom waited for the lieutenant to answer. He saw a slight nod of his head. Tom quietly spoke, "They will continue to haunt you, and you will keep seeing them, until you can understand that they aren't the ones responsible, for what happened to you. You have to come to terms with the fact that you are the only one responsible for what happened. Somewhere deep inside you, you know that. That is why you don't kill them, but make them talk to you. You want to be wrong about who they are. You can't kill them all, and trying would get you killed. And you also know that killing innocent people would only make it worse." Tom saw the young man bobbing his head about that and smiled. "Until you can face the truth, that only you are responsible for your actions, then your demons will continue to haunt you. When you realized that truth, your demons won't be gone, but they will have no power over you." Tom saw the unbelieving look and smiled at him. "Don't you see, that once you acknowledge responsibility, even if you met those men, what would it matter? Since they aren't responsible, why would you even care? Your demons only have the power that you give them. Accept your part in things and take away their power." Tom sat and watched the lieutenant ponder his words. There wasn't anything else that he could do. He rose from his seat and said, "Consider my words. Only you can control your destiny, and only you are responsible for the choices that you make. You might not believe that you have a choice, but if you think about it, you always have a choice. You might not like what that choice is, but you still have it. And making that choice is the responsibility that we all must take. Decide to cast your demons out, and live a long life." Tom turned to John and Robert and led them from the room. He made a motion not to talk and moved quickly up the stairs. Once back in his room he sat heavily on the chair. John spoke softly, "Are you sure that you haven't spent too much time with these congressional leaders? That sounded just like some of the things that they say." Tom smiled, "Well, part of it was true. Until he can take responsibility for his own actions it will continue to eat at him. The rest just sounds good and I hope it will stop him from acting on seeing anybody that he knows. It's obvious that they ran into Luke and Ben. I wish that they had said something." John snorted, "Yea, I can see that. 'Tom, that idiot lieutenant was here waving a knife, and his daddy sent him home.' Can you imagine what you would have said?" Tom looked a little sheepish at the thought. He knew that John was right, Luke couldn't tell him everything and he thought that it was over and done with. He had no way of knowing that they would ever cross paths again. ------- Chapter 59 The next morning they were waiting for the north-bound train when it pulled into the depot. They got their horses loaded and found a seat in the carriage car. As the train pulled out, Robert turned to Tom and asked, "I know that you have probably already told everybody else by now, but I wanted to know; how did you learn about those cards, and how to play poker?" John was listening closely, even though he looked to the rest of the world like a sleeping man. Tom grinned, "Actually you are the only one that has asked. That month that I was gone, I caught a train and went back up to Washington. I had bought some information from an old man once that said that he was once a professional gambler. Now, he travels around and exposes card cheats. I paid him to teach me how to play cards, and how to spot a cheat. It took a whole month to learn what he does, and he is a lot better than I am, but I can get by." Tom grinned at Robert like a little boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar. John didn't say anything, or even move, but he realized that Tom was cautious about everything. It was the reason that they all followed him, without question. He knew that he would have gone in and tried to catch him cheating, and he never would have been able to do it. Only by seeking a teacher, would he have been successful, like Tom had done. He felt that if anybody had a chance of pulling this off, it would be Tom. They arrived in Washington a little after noon. Once they had their horses unloaded they decided to head over to the Franchelli Restaurant to get some lunch, and to check in with Luke and see how things were going. They were riding up the street when they noticed that there were a large number of men in front of the restaurant. As Tom got closer he noticed that these men were armed and had a dangerous look to them. Tom nodded to Robert, "If you hear a gunshot, shoot those men out of their saddles, and I would prefer them dead to wounded." Robert nodded and kept riding as Tom and John turned to go down the alley. Just as they got even with the restaurant Tom stopped and pointed up. John looked up and nodded his head as he stood up in the saddle and quickly climbed up to the roof. Tom watched him disappear before quietly dropping from his saddle, and leading the horses the rest of the way to the restaurant back door. He tied the horses and quietly slipped into the back door to see what was going on. Tom saw Luke sitting with another man that he had never seen before. He listened as the man spoke, "I don't care what Don Carrone agreed to. I am Don Alverez, and I am not afraid of spilling some blood, or losing a few men. I will take all of Washington, and when I am finished I will run this country through these sheep that call themselves men." Tom shook his head and slipped his coat from his shoulders. As Michael passed by Tom grabbed his apron and pulled him over. Michael's eyes got big and he quickly looked around. Tom smiled and pointed to his apron. Michael looked once again and untied it. When it was free Tom pushed a cup in front of him and tied the apron around his waist. Tom then got up and took the serving platter that Michael had been carrying. He walked calmly up to the table that Luke was sitting at and as he passed behind Don Alverez his knife settled at his throat as his pistol pointed at the other man sitting at the table. When Tom saw him start to draw his pistol he fired his pistol. His bullet went in the middle of his forehead and his brains went out the back. Don Alverez didn't move. Suddenly there was gunfire in the streets. Don Alverez spoke calmly and quietly, "That was a stupid thing to do. My men will kill everybody in here. None of you will be left alive." Tom leaned down and whispered directly into his ear, "The sound that you hear, is your men dying. My men are shooting them out of their saddles; none will escape." Don Alverez shivered. He knew it was the breath on his ear, but it angered him that it looked like he was afraid. The shooting didn't last more than a minute. When it was over, Tom pulled Don Alverez up and to the door. He made him look out the window and he saw that all of his men were dead. Tom walked him back to his chair. Don Alverez didn't seem concerned, "I have more men. When I don't return, they will come here and kill all of you. You only delay what will happen." Tom growled. "Tie this garbage to the chair." Ben was out of his seat before Tom finished talking. He quickly went to his horse and returned with some rope. Luke and Ben had Don Alverez tied to his chair before Tom had put his coat back on. Tom looked at Luke, "Pat drive you here today?" Luke nodded and told him that the boy spent his day in the kitchen, helping out and sneaking what he could get away with. Tom grinned before he yelled for Pat. Pat came flying through the kitchen door carrying a carving knife. Tom grinned at him, "What were you planning to do with that?" Pat looked at the knife and blushed. Tom shook his head. He appreciated the loyalty that he showed, but knew that he wouldn't be able to help in that way. Tom saw Poppa Tony follow him out, with his own knife. Tom smiled at them both. Poppa Tony smiled back at him. "Poppa, you need to take momma and the boys home. Call it an early day. I'll lock up when we are done here." Poppa looked at Don Alverz and grimaced, but he nodded his head and went back into the kitchen. Tom asked Pat if he knew where Don Carrone lived. When he shook his head, Ben said that he would tell him. Tom nodded and told him, "I have a horse out back, ride to Don Carrone. Tell him that there has been some trouble. Tell him to bring all of his men and to come here, now." Pat nodded his head and Ben walked him out the back, whispering in his ear. When Ben came back in he nodded to Tom. When Pat had left Tom saw Poppa Tony lead his family out the back. Only momma Fiona looked back, and Tom smiled at her. She didn't look pleased, but there wasn't much that he could do about that. Tom smiled at Don Alverez, and Ben thought that he wouldn't want Tom smiling like that at him. Tom told Luke and Ben to put his hand on the table and to keep it there. Tom asked, "How many men do you have and where are they?" Don Alverez smiled and shook his head. Tom smiled back and drove his knife through his hand. Don Alverez screamed before he got control of himself. He said, "I'll never tell you anything. You might as well go ahead and kill me." Tom grinned, "Kill you? Oh no, Don Alverez, I haven't gotten to play like this in a long time. I'm going to enjoy killing you very slowly. I hope that you can last for days, but it all depends on how brave that you are." Don Alverez snorted at him. He had heard big talk before. Tom asked, "Now, how many men do you have, and where are they?" When Don Alverez just looked at him he slowly pulled his knife toward the opening between his first two fingers. He was sliding the blade against the bones of his hand. Don Alverez screamed as he slowly cut his way between the knuckles and his knife came free. Tom looked him in the eye and buried his knife in his hand again. "How many men do you have and where are they?" Don Alverez realized that this young man wouldn't stop until he knew what he wanted to know. Don Alverez kept his jaws clamped shut and shook his head. Tom smiled and started pulling the knife toward him again, and toward the next set of knuckles. He started screaming as the knife moved and didn't stop until Tom had cut through his hand again. Tom then buried his knife once again in his hand. They both knew what he was going to do next. Tom looked at Luke. "Go to the kitchen and get a good fire going. Put every knife that you can find in it and get them red hot. I think that we are going to need them." Luke nodded and left for the kitchen. Pat made good time and found Don Carrone at his warehouse. He passed the information that Tom told him to and was on his way back at a gallop. John looked at the mess on the table as he walked in the back door of the restaurant. He told Tom that Robert was keeping watch on the street in front. Tom nodded his head but never took his attention away from his task. John noticed Ben flinched and went to take his place. Tom looked at Ben and told him, "Go to the house. Get Peter, and my girls and bring them here." Ben nodded and quickly left through the back door. John shook his head as he left. "You would think that he would be stronger." Tom sighed and replied, "He hasn't got anything to lose. Once he has something to lose, he will understand what it means to have it threatened." John nodded his head. Tom applied the first hot knife and stopped the blood from flowing. He used all of the knives to seal the cuts on both of Don Alverez's hands. They were useless now as anything but pain devices. He watching as Tom cut his boots away. He knew instantly that Tom wouldn't stop before he knew everything that he wanted from Don Alverez. When Don Carrone entered the restaurant he was shocked to see Don Alverez, and the condition he was in. Two of his men immediately lost their stomach and Don Carrone snorted in disgust. Tom turned to look at Don Carrone, "There are a few dead men in the side alley. Think you can find a place to put them?" Don Carrone looked at the two men that had embarrassed him and told them to go and dump the bodies. They meekly left and Tom knew that their punishment had just started. Tom sat and motioned to a chair across from him. Don Carrone sat heavily after he looked again at Don Alverez. Tom didn't speak loudly, but it wasn't quietly either. "Don Alverez decided that he wanted to take over all of Washington. He brought in a large number of men and started making his move. One of my watchers notified my men and they called him for a meeting. After telling him that Washington was off limits, he laughed and said that he would destroy us all and take all of Washington. Then he would run this country through the sheep that pretend to be men. I think that he thought that he could control all of the country through puppet leadership." Don Carrone starred at him in disbelief. He turned to look at Don Alverez before he shook his head and sighed. That is the way that things are done in Italy. You can control large pieces of the government with a puppet ruler. But to try something like that here is stupid. There are too many of them and the army is stationed just outside the city. It would only take one of them to go the army, and they would wipe out everybody. Tom nodded his head. "Personally, I really didn't care about that. When he said that he was going to take over all of Washington, that was different. You know how I feel about anybody trying to take what is mine. When he said that he would kill us all, well that just sealed his fate. Don Carrone sighed as he shook his head. "What do you want me to do?" Tom wasn't smiling when he said, "He has brought a hundred men with him. We killed fifteen in the street. We made sure that none got away, to warn the others. So that leaves eighty-five men. We need to deal with them before they come looking for him. I'd like to catch them all in one place." Don Carrone looked thoughtful, "I don't know if I have enough men to handle eighty-five men in as fight." Tom smiled at him, "You won't need to do anything. My men will handle them. I will need your men to handle the cleanup, and I will need a case of good whiskey." Don Carrone starred at Tom in shock. "How will you handle so many men?" Tom smiled and shook his head, but he didn't answer. They were drinking coffee when Luke and John entered through the back door of the restaurant. They had a woman, a young man and two girls tied and gagged. They heard Don Alverez moan as he saw them arrive. Tom noticed Don Carrone's look and answered, before he asked, "That's Don Alverz's family. He had them at a hotel, not too far from here." Tom watched Don Carrone struggle with the information, but he just didn't seem to connect it with the present situation. Tom sighed as he looked at the man, "Do you remember what I told you I would do, if you ever tried to move any further into Washington? I told you that I would kill you, your family, friends and anybody that ever knew you. Do you think that I was lying? Do you think that I would do any less to anybody else?" Don Carrone starred at Tom. He knew that this young man was dangerous, but he never really thought that he would carry out that threat. He realized that he had been wrong, and he was glad that he had not carried through on his plans. He shivered at the thought of what this young man was capable of. John and Luke tied the Alverez family to chairs, and came to report to Tom. "There were some guards, but they didn't know that we were there until it was too late. There were two in the room with them. They died a little louder. It attracted the attention of the hotel staff. They never saw us and we left them sleeping, tied to a dead body. We thought that might slow them down a little, when they wake up. It should give them something to think about. I don't know how long it will keep their mouth shut, so we should probably move fast from here." Tom nodded that he understood. He looked the family over. First there was Mrs. Alverez. He could tell that in her time she had been a beautiful woman, but unfortunately it was past her time. He knew it was some hard years that had aged her. She didn't have much gray in her hair, but the lines on her face said that she hadn't had much to smile about in her life. Her eyes were a flat gray and the frown lines looked so natural on her that you would think she had been born with them. She still had a good figure, or a good corset. He breasts were large, but Tom wondered how far they would sag. The Boy was the oldest. Tom guessed that he was seventeen, or possibly eighteen. He had the same attitude that Randolph fostered. His sneer was a constant companion. Tom wondered how long he would manage to keep it. His dark brown eyes were just like his father. Tom thought that he was a miniature Don Alverez. He was solid and his black hair was combed back. He looked just like Don Alverez in both appearance and dress, just a touch smaller. The two girls were as close in appearance as any two girls could be. In a few years they would probably be able to pass for twins. The older one looked to be about fifteen. Most of her development was over, but her sister was in the middle of hers. Her breasts and hips hadn't filled out to the full womanly level yet, but Tom knew from looking at her sister, exactly what she would look like. Tom guessed that the younger one was thirteen, or fourteen at the very most. Each of the girls had dark raven black hair and smokey gray eyes, like their mother. Their hair was long and full of curls; it hung down in waves past the middle of their backs, but not quite to their ass. Their waist was thin, but once again Tom wondered how much was corset, and how much was woman. The older girl had womanly hips and medium sized breasts. He figured that they would get to her mother's size once she nursed a few babies. The younger one's breasts were still small, but closely approaching mid-sized. They were all tied with their hands behind their back. Tom told John to have Robert come in, as he had a job for him. John walked to the window and waved. Robert appeared from across the street and made his way into the restaurant. When he entered he quickly took in the scene and made his way to Tom. He stood waiting, "Do you know where the 'Market Street' warehouse is?" Robert thought for a few seconds before he replied, "That's the one down by the rail yard, isn't it?" Tom nodded,"I want you to go with one of Don Carrone's men. He will get you a case of good whiskey. I want you to take it to the Market Street warehouse. Then I want you to scout the warehouse and find out how many men are guarding it, and where they are positioned. We will be getting there soon, and I will want to know where the men are when we get there." Robert nodded his head and looked at Don Carrone. Don Carrone waved a man over and told him what he wanted him to do. Both men left quickly. Tom and Don Carrone were drinking coffee when Peter and Tom's women showed up. He wasn't surprised when the other women appeared with them. They followed Peter's example and stood quietly and waited for Tom to acknowledge them. Tom looked them over and said to Don Carrone, "Collect your men and meet us at the warehouse. Give us about thirty minutes to take care of things." Tom saw Don Carrone didn't believe him, but he nodded his head and left the restaurant. Tom turned to his women. He pointed to Don Alverez. "That is Don Alverez. He came here to take over Washington. That isn't important, but in doing that he planned to kill me, and all of my men. That is important. He is mine, you can't touch him." Tom saw the women's faces harden, and at the thought of not getting him they looked hostile at Tom. Tom smiled at them as he pointed at the others tied at chairs, "That is his family. Them, you can have." Tom watched as the information sunk in. He was surprised that Victoria and Jess was with them, but accepted it as life. Tom turned to Victoria, "Are you still wearing petticoats, or pantaloons?" Victoria blushed hotly, but shook her head. Tom grinned at her, "Well, think you can find me a pair over there?" Tom pointed at the tied up Alverez family. Victoria smiled as she nodded her head. Tom watched as she went to the oldest woman and quickly jerked her dress up, grabbed a handful of petticoats and quickly pulled them off of her. Tom heard her squeal and knew that it was only the first of her indignities. Tom took the offered material and looked at his little group again. "We will be back in about an hour. Take your time with the boy and we should be back to help you out with the women." Tom saw a look of understanding pass over a few faces. It was followed by a vicious smile. He motioned to the others and led them out the back and to the horses. He knew that the ones that had figured out what he meant would explain it to the others. When they got to the warehouse Tom waited for Robert to show himself. In a few minutes he slipped around a corner and nodded at the warriors. "There are six guards; one on each side of the warehouse, and two up on top." Tom looked at the warehouse. "How many doors and windows?" Robert thought for a minute before he said, "One big door in the front, with a window on each side of it. One window on each side, but nothing in the back. Tom nodded his head. He bent down and opened the case of whiskey. He told John to pull all of the corks as he started ripping the petticoat into strips. They all watched, wondering what he was doing. When John was finished Tom began stuffing the cloth down into each bottle. When he had all of the bottles finished he picked up the first bottle and held it upside down and watched the whiskey wet the cloth. He then took a match from this pocket and they immediately understood. It was Peter that spoke, "It works like the wick on a lantern." Tom smiled and handed him the bottle, and another. When the case was empty they each had two bottles. Tom spoke quickly, "I want Ben and John on each side. Luke in the back, Peter and Robert in the front with me. In two minutes everybody should be in position. Kill your guard quietly, and then light your bottles and throw them through the windows. Kill anybody that tries to get out. Luke you will just have to throw yours at the wall. Once the place starts burning they will try to get out anywhere they can. They might knock a few boards out and make a door. Be alert and don't forget the guards on the roof. After the men are dead, we leave. Don Carrone and his men will show up to handle the fire and any mess that we leave laying around." Each of the warriors nodded their head. They knew it was just like burning a wagon with people in it. They would quickly try to find a way out. Two minutes later Tom lit his two bottles and threw the first through the open door. At the same time each of the other warriors were lighting their own bottles. When the bottles broke the whiskey spread and started a hot burning fire. With fire starting on all four sides at the same time the warehouse was quickly engulfed in flames. Tom and the men waited. Soon men were rushing to get out of the burning building. They didn't hesitate as they shot each of the men looking to escape. After ten minutes the blaze was so hot that the warriors had to move back from the building, but they didn't think that any more men would be coming out. There were no survivors that ran from the building, but they had only managed to kill about thirty men. Tom figured the others died trying to fight the fire, or wanted to take their chances looking for another way out. In either case he knew that they would never leave the building alive. Tom motioned to the warriors and they made their way back to their horses. They were just mounting their horses when Don Carrone and his men showed up. They looked at the blazing building and Don Carrone asked, "Any get away?" Tom's emotionless eyes and his feral grin made Don Carrone shiver, "Not alive." Don Carrone nodded his head. When do you want me to have my men pick up Don Alverez's body. Tom thought for a minute. We'll leave it in the alley, where the others were. You can have it at first light." Don Carrone nodded his head and he was glad that he wasn't Don Alverez. It was about an hour after they left that the warriors rode up to the rear of the restaurant. After they had dismounted and tied their horses, Tom called them together. "If any of you want to head home now, I'll understand. This is personal for me, but you don't have to take part. I won't think any less of you if you don't want to be a part of it." Tom looked around the warriors and met with stony stares. Luke cleared his throat to get Tom's attention, "Alverez rode in and threatened Ben and me. I know that you wanted information, and I wouldn't interfere with that, but it was us that he threatened. I want Alverez." Tom looked to see Ben nodding his head in agreement. Tom shrugged, "Once he has seen what happens to his family, you can have him." Luke smiled and nodded his thanks. Tom looked around the group one more time, and only saw resolve. He shrugged his shoulders and led them back into the restaurant. They passed Pat sitting outside the door. Tom thought it was a good place for him; he didn't need to see any more than he had. ------- Chapter 60 Once the warriors were back inside Tom took a quick look at the situation. He noticed that Alverez looked like he had been struggling against his ropes. Tom mentioned it to Luke and he went to check on them. When Mrs. Alverez saw the warriors she started begging, "Please save us from these crazy women. They've killed my poor baby in the most foul way. Have mercy and save us." Tom noticed a couple of the women actually blushed, and all of them suddenly looked shy. Tom smiled at them and Janet was quick to drop to her knees in front of Tom. She openly rubbed her face against the side of his leg. "Husband, please forgive us, we didn't mean to kill him; at least not yet." Tom smiled at her, and helped her to her feet. He spoke in a calm voice, "What have you been doing that has these poor ladies so upset?" Janet heard his words, but she also knew that they were meant for the captives. She smiled sweetly as she said, "Oh husband, I found out that I knew so little when it comes to torture. Mei and Su told me that torture is an art in China. They have been practicing it there for thousands of years. They have shown us many things that I have never heard of." Tom felt her pulling gently on his hand and he went willingly. She led him over to a table that had been set up with coffee. She poured him as cup after she guided him to a chair. "They are wonderfully devious. They heated sewing needles until they were red hot, and then they pushed them in his eyes. Once he was blinded they didn't have to worry about him escaping. They said it makes things so much easier when they can't see what you are about to do." Tom watched the other warriors settle around the table. "Then they stripped his body and while the girls were teasing and stroking his manhood they prepared their needles again. When he was almost at the peak of his pleasure, Ming and Ping each drove a hot needle into his balls. They tell me that is how they fix men, so they can't have children, in China." Tom noticed a couple of the men flinch and shudder. Tom felt a little shudder of his own. "He screamed very loud, as least until his voice gave out. When he stopped screaming Ming said that the needles had cooled enough to handle them again. And his manhood was as limp as a wet noodle. We had to start all over on him, to get him hard again. When he got close, they put in another pair of needles." Tom felt another shiver run down his spine. He looked at the warriors and said, "Are you sure that you don't want to leave. I'm feeling a little homesick at the moment myself." He watched as they nodded in agreement with him, but none of them got up to leave. Tom turned his attention back to Janet, "So you were amusing yourselves. How did you kill him?" Janet looked at Ming and Ping before she spoke. Tom noticed that they hung their heads as she told the tale. "It was during one of the times that his balls were pierced that his flailing hands found Ping's hair. He grabbed a handful and when he did he found one of her knives. Before we could stop him, he managed to cut his own throat. We are terribly sorry master, we knew that you had plans of your own for him. Please forgive us." Tom looked at the other warriors. "Can any of you think of anything you would have wanted to do to the boy?" There were a chorus of headshakes and Tom had to join in and agree. He looked at Ming and Ping, "Don't let it bother you too much about him getting a chance to kill himself. At least he didn't take the opportunity to kill you first." Tom saw them look at each other in shock, like they hadn't thought about that possibility. Tom grinned at John, and he knew that John would be having a few words with his pair later. Tom looked at the warriors again, "Luke, Ben and Robert, you haven't taken any slaves yet. Would you like to look these over, before we work them over?" The three warriors looked at each other and then the three women. Robert immediately shook his head. Ben was a little slower, but joined in the head shaking. Luke decided to voice his opinion, "Tom, even though they are good looking, and I don't believe that they would ever have the courage to try anything while the women were around. I think that if I decide to go shopping, I will follow your example and shop in Chinatown." All of the warriors nodded their heads in agreement. Tom turned back to the captives and thought for a minute. He turned and called Jess to him. She was at his side before he finished calling her name. Tom smiled at her and pointed at the captive women. He pulled Jess down and whispered in her ear, "I wonder which of them could eat pussy the best? Do you think that the women would help you find out?" Jess had a big grin on her face as she nodded her head. She quickly took off and pulled the women into a huddle. Tom poured another cup of coffee and sat back to watch the show. Jess hopped up on a table and lay back with her skirts pulled up around her waist. Tom watched Ming and Ping cut the mother free, and got a good hold on her. They were whispering into her ear as they walked her to Jess. As she got close she started to fight. They held her tightly and kept whispering. Tom saw when she went stiff and suddenly stopped fighting, he didn't know what they said but it seemed effective. Tom smiled when he saw Mei and Su pull the girls up out of their chair, and move them in to get a real good look at what momma was doing as she dropped to her knees between Jess's legs. Tom heard a couple of gasps from the warriors when they saw what the women were making momma do. "I heard about things like this in the village. I heard that some of the widows do things like this." He could imagine that if his women had been talking, then the widows were not only finding out about things like this, but they were probably giving lessons, just to make sure that they had it right. Tom grinned at the idea. Tom watched as Jess was quickly panting and moaning. Momma seemed to be doing a good job on her. The girls were watching momma open-mouthed and they even whispered their surprise at her actions. Tom was sure that Ming and Ping told her something that outweighed her morals in this situation. When Jess had enough, she roughly pushed momma's head away and rolled over and closed her legs. Tom watched Janet quickly take her place. Once again the warriors gasped, and Tom smiled. He watched as each of the women took her turn on the table. The warriors were soon past shocked and just sat watching. Tom knew that there wasn't a soft cock in the room. When the women had all had their turn on the table they turned momma around and put her on the table. Tom was surprised when they moved the oldest girl in to take momma's place. She didn't seem to put up too much of a fight and as soon as her face was held to momma's wet pussy she got busy. Momma was on a hair trigger, from her time eating pussy and it didn't take much for her girl to bring her off. The girl never slowed down and kept loudly slurping her way through one climax and on her way to the next. Tom shook his head at the ease of everything that they did; almost no fighting, and so easy to control. When momma couldn't take any more she rolled away. The women put the older girl on the table and guided the younger girl to take her place. Tom watched petticoats and pantaloons disappear so quickly that you never would have known that they ever wore them. The little girl seemed to have the same natural ability as the other women in her family. In short order she had her sister panting and gasping for breath. Tom watched as his women striped all of them. They didn't put up any struggle at all, and Tom found that he was both right and wrong. The girls were firm and trim; their breasts were still growing but promised interesting things. Momma was the surprise; her breasts did sag, but nothing like Tom expected. She still had a good figure for a woman her age, and if her daughters bred true they would still be looking good for many years to come. Tom decided to eliminate a few problems before they got started. He walked to the older girl and grabbed her by the hair and jerked her head back so that she was looking into his eyes. "Listen to me and understand what I tell you. You are probably going to die tonight, but you do have a chance to live. It won't be the life that you have lived up to now. It will be the life of a slave. You can decide to end it now, like your brother did, or you can face it. The choice is yours." Tom watched as she thought about his words. He saw her struggling with her choice until she slowly answered. "I want to live. I don't know how to be a slave, but I'll try." Tom nodded, "I'll give you another choice then, since you want to live. You can stay here, or you can run. If you run I'll tell you what you have to look forward to. You will be just like you are now, naked. Any man that finds you on the streets will rape you. If one of them does turn you over to the constable, they will have a lot of questions for you. Some about the men that died in your hotel, and what happened to you. Will you tell them what you have been doing tonight? It really won't matter if you tell them, they will all still rape you. In the end you will end up on your back in a whorehouse. No matter where you run, that is where you will be running to." Tom could see the disbelieving looks in her eyes and smiled. "If you don't believe me, go ask your mother what you have to look forward to after tonight." Tom took her to momma and shoved her down on the floor at her feet. She was quick to help her baby up. Tom watched their quick, hurried conversation. He saw the hope in the girls eyes fade quickly. Momma was a lot of things, but it appeared that she did have a good grip on her present situation, and she was not going to let her daughter live in a fantasy world. Tom watched the fight drain out of the girl with each word that she heard. When she looked back at him, he saw that she wouldn't run. When momma finished Tom brought her sister to momma, "Maybe you better explain the facts to the little one, too. She will be given the same choice." Tom saw momma nod her head with tears on her face. Tom took the older girl back to the center of the room. He pointed to the door. "There is the door and you can run, if that's what you want to do. There is a table with five men. If you can please all five men, I will consider keeping you alive. If you don't try, or you can't do it, I'll kill you. This is your choice, make it now." Tom let go of her hair and she looked at the door for a long minute. She then turned and made her way to the table. As she dropped to her knees in front of John she slowly fished his cock from his pants. Tom whispered to her, "If that's the best you can do, you should just ask me to kill you now." She looked up at him and realized that if she wanted to live she would have to try. She took a deep breath and with a look of determination she started putting everything that she had behind her efforts. When she gagged a few times, Tom motioned to Janet. "Give her a few pointers. She might need them soon." Janet looked at him curiously but dropped to her knees beside the girl and started whispering. Tom motioned to Luke and watched as he moved in behind the girl. He knew that this would be a surprise to her, but it had to be done sometime. Tom went to get her younger sister. He took her to the center of the room and gave her the same choice. Tom watched her take a few steps toward the door, but when she stopped and looked back at him he just looked at her. She dropped her head and turned to go the table and join her sister on the floor. Tom saw that the girls were working hard, or there was something hard working on them. He knew that it was nothing more than rape, but even rape had its uses. These were captives, and as captives they needed to have the message sent home to them. He turned to look at momma. She looked at him with hate, and that was something that he could understand. Tom moved to stand in front of momma. She dropped her eyes and Tom reached down and grabbed her by the hair. She squeaked but quickly crawled after him. He led her over to a chair in front of Don Alverez. He sat and pulled out his cock, and she looked at him. When she didn't start showing what she could do Tom smiled at her. He pointed at the girls, "They are trying to live through the night. Like them, you only have one thing to bargain with. Do you want to live through the night?" Momma looked up at him and smiled. "I have more than one thing. I know where he keeps his money. I know where his men are, and they will follow my orders." She looked confidently at Tom. He smiled and shook his head, "I'm sure that he keeps his money in a bank, just like everybody else. He will have given orders that you only be given small amounts, he wouldn't want to come home and find that you were gone, and with his money. Once they find out that he is dead, you won't be able to touch a penny of it. As for his men, there're all dead. We killed them when we went out earlier." Tom could tell that she didn't believe him. A glance at Alverez told him that he didn't either. Tom sadly sighed and shook his head, "They were at the Market Street warehouse. We burned it down, with all of them still in there. Any of them that ran, we shot them like a dog." Tom watched the horror on her face. When he looked at Don Alverez he saw something different; fear. He smiled at Don Alverez, "I imagine that Don Carrone is still cleaning up the mess that we made. I wonder if he will have the stomach to gather up the charred and smoking flesh, to haul it away. I doubt that his men will." His look told Don Alverez that this man was more than he had thought. He knew that he had made a serious mistake, and his last chance had gone up in smoke. He felt the life drain out of him as the young man watched. Tom turned his attention back to momma, "So what else do you have to bargain with?" She looked confused as she suddenly realized that all of her options were quickly disappearing. She turned to look at her husband, "Tell him it isn't true. Tell him that I can get the money to buy our daughter's freedom." She looked at his sad eyes and she knew the truth. She turned back to Tom was desperation in her eyes, "I have friends and family, they can give you the money." Tom looked around the room, "I don't see them, and you're going to die here today. I don't think that you have the time, and besides I don't want money. I have more than enough for my needs." Tom looked to see her deflate. He watched her as she cried. "So, what else do you have to bargain with?" She knew what he was asking, and she realized that for once in her life being the wife of a powerful man meant nothing, money and power meant nothing, and the only thing that she had was herself. Janet watched her as her life crumbled and she knew how this woman felt. She couldn't help feeling sorry for her. She knelt down beside her and wrapped her arm around her as she cried. Janet looked at Tom and knew that he had a reason for what he was doing, and that she was probably interfering, but she couldn't help herself. Tom watched Janet whispered in her ear. He watched her coax her forward and guide her hand up to his waiting cock. While they were talking it had gone soft and he felt her experienced fingers moving gently on his manhood. He watched as Janet kept whispering and guiding her forward. When her lips caressed his hardening cock he smiled. Once his cock was in her mouth, he watched as she closed her eyes and started working her experienced tongue. He knew that this woman had spent a lot of time with a cock in her mouth. Tom noticed that Janet was busy working on her nipples; she was trying to get her excited. He knew that if she was excited enough she wouldn't think about her situation, she would just live in the present. He didn't want that. He wanted her to know what she was doing, and why. He reached over and grabbed Janet by the hair and puller her face up to his, "She has to deal with this on her own. You are only allowing her to put it off until later. Let her face things and get it over with." Janet saw the truth even if she didn't want to. She nodded her head and moved away from the struggling woman. Tom grabbed the woman's hair and slammed his cock deep in her throat. He held it there until she started to struggle. Her were open and pleading at him. Tom eased her off of his cock and looked her in the eye, "I want to see those eyes. I want you to suck my cock, not a fantasy cock. You will know that it's me and that you're working to save your life." Tom let her go and she locked her eyes on his. He watched her start moving again, he even thought that she was trying to do better than she had before. He was impressed. Tom was as hard as he had ever been, and he wanted her to know that he would determine if she lived or died. "Get up here and fuck me. Show me that you know how to please a man." She quickly looked at her husband and then stood to straddle Tom's legs. She reached down and positioned his cock at her opening and then she eased down upon it. Tom was surprised to feel that she was more than a little wet. He doubted that he had ever felt any woman that wet. Tom smiled as she closed her eyes and lowered herself all the way to the bottom of his cock, in a single motion. He knew that she had to be excited, but the tightness was the real surprise. He wondered how she had managed to keep her pussy so tight after three kids. Tom enjoyed the feel as she started to bounce on his hard cock. He noticed that she was biting her lip to stop from making any noise. Tom reached up and slapped her hard and her eyes flew open, and she stopped moving. "I told you to keep your eyes open, and now you can keep your mouth open too. If you close either of them you can look forward to me slapping you again. And it might not be on your face the next time." With the words Tom lightly slapped her breasts and she gasped, but he couldn't tell if it was pain or pleasure. She quickly started bouncing again. With her open mouth, her breathing turned to panting quickly. She realized that she couldn't stop the little moans for escaping her mouth and slammed her mouth shut. Tom slapped her other breast hard and she cried out and opened her mouth again. Tom looked at her eyes, "If you're worried about everybody knowing how much you're enjoying yourself, don't be. All they have to do is look at the puddle you've created on the floor below me, and they'll know." Tom saw the hurt in her eyes, but she knew that he was telling the truth. She gave up all pretenses and started slamming down on him and grunting out her pleasure. Tom took a quick look at Don Alverez and smiled at the pained look on his face. Tom was now finished with Don Alverez. He had taken everything that he had left, and now turned his attention back on his wife. He gently reached his thumb out to caress her pleasure button, as she rode him hard. When she felt the contact on her clit her eyes popped open and she realized that he hadn't slapped her for closing them. She grunted again as the sensations slammed into here as his other hand pinched and rolled her nipple. She didn't know what to think of all of the pleasure that she was feeling. She had never felt like this in her life, and she didn't care who knew now. She screamed her release to the world and kept riding Tom for all she was worth. As long as he kept working on her body she wouldn't care what happened to her, as long as the feelings kept raging through her. Tom felt himself getting close to the point of no return. He lifted her off of his throbbing shaft and pushed her into the floor, between his legs. He fed his cock into her mouth and told her to suck. He was a bit surprised at the intensity that she went to her task. He thought that she was trying to suck his cock from his body as she slammed her face down on his cock. He felt it go deep in her throat, but there was no gagging and she even seemed to purr at the contact. Tom leaned back and closed his eyes as he felt his release upon him. When his hot offering hit her throat she immediately pulled back and kept it in her mouth, milking him for all she could get. When Tom looked at her she didn't even pretend that she wasn't going to swallow it. She smiled at him as his cock slipped from her mouth and she made it obvious that she was swallowing everything that she had. When she finished, she even opened her mouth to show him that there was nothing there. Tom smiled at her and gently caressed her cheek before pointing to the other warriors, "Go, show them what you can do." She looked uncertain, but she knew her options, and slowly moved to the other men. Tom thought she looked pretty good, when she acted shy, it made her look younger. When Tom looked at Don Alverez he saw a broken man. The performance of his wife finished him completely. Tom smiled at him and went over to Luke, "You can have Alverez, whenever you want him." Luke looked at Tom as he plowed the younger sister's ass and nodded that he had heard him. Tom went to his women, and they were happy to have him with them. Mei asked, "Aren't you going to enjoy the young ones?" Tom sat in a chair and grunted at her as he pulled her into his lap. She didn't complain as she quickly burrowed deeper into his arms. His other girls were quickly all around him. He noticed that Jess kept to the outside, but slyly reached in to caress his leg. He decided to let her get away with it. Things were winding down with the women when Robert came to him, "Tom, about what you said earlier, I think that I've changed my mind. I think that I am interested in taking the two girls." Tom looked at him intently for a moment, "What about momma?" Robert slowly shook his head, "She is a little too old for me. Hell, she's almost as old as my mother. That just feels strange." Tom grunted and shook his head. "You might want to reconsider. You will need somebody for an object lesson, and she has a lot of talent that she could pass on to the girls. And, there is another thing that you are going to have to think about before you bring any woman into the house; how she will act with the other women there. What you saw them doing together tonight happens a lot more than you might believe. If you have a problem with that you might want to reconsider taking them." Tom saw the shocked look on his face and he watched as he suddenly looked around at Tom's women, cuddling with him. He frowned as he tried to reconcile what he was seeing with what Tom had said. Tom grinned at his dilemma, "Go talk to Peter, or John, then come back and tell me your decision." Tom watched as Robert walked away, lost in thought. Su looked at Tom, "Master, how can he not know? I thought all of them knew the things we do." Tom grinned at her. "No little flower. They only see what they want to see. Even after they watched all of you tonight, they still don't believe that you really do that. Some men can't face the thought that a woman can find pleasure without a man, and others see it as a challenge to their manhood. It is easier not to see, what you don't want to be true." The women looked at each other in shock. Tom heard Wei whispering to Su, "Our master is very wise, and we are lucky to have him. We didn't do enough to the man that wanted to take him away from us." Tom knew that there was head shaking, but he preferred not to look. The thought that they knew more things to do to a man was frightening in its own way. When the men were finished Tom watched momma collect her girls, and pull them away to the side of the room. There she checked each of them over for any damage. He knew that she was helping them face the things that happened to them, and decided to let her do as she wished. Tom turned his attention to Luke and Ben as they made their way to Alverez. Tom smiled and quietly said, "I told Luke and Ben that they could have Alverex. If you want a piece of him, you had better go and see what it will cost you. Tom watched a mad scramble as all of his women headed in that direction. He saw Mei was torn between staying and cuddling, and going, but in the end she kissed Tom and followed the other women. Tom watched as one of the twins went to find out what was going on, and she quickly motioned to the other. He grinned at John as both of his girls joined the bargaining session. John came over to sit beside Tom. "What's going on over there?" Tom grinned, "I told them that I gave Alverez to Luke and Ben, and if they wanted a piece of him they would have to work it out with them. I don't know what they are offering, but the boys seem to be listening." John just grunted and sat back to watch the show. Tom wasn't surprised when Peter and Robert didn't join them. Tom later found out what the girls were bargaining for. It seemed that one of the girls suggested a rather nasty torture and when Luke seemed interested, they each tried to top it. The one with the best torture got to apply her method. Tom could imagine Alverez listening to each thing, worse than the last and looking forward to the winner. He thought it would be a good system to use himself in the future. Tom suggested that the Alverez women be made to watch. Alverez lasted until the early hours of the morning. Tom made the Alverez women move all of the bodies out into the alley and clean the restaurant. When everything was spotless he herded their naked bodies into the carriage. Even though Robert hadn't come to him yet, he knew that he would. The warriors wondered why Tom had spared the women, but didn't ask. When they got to the house the Alverez women were shocked, but kept their mouths closed. Tom ordered them tied up and put in a bedroom. There they slept alone. The next morning, Tom had the women brought down and they were given a cup of tea. They didn't know why and they didn't ask, and Tom didn't tell them why. After their tea Tom ordered them to work in the kitchen. All of his women were ordered to keep a watch over them at all times. They were to be worked hard, not allowed clothes, and any man that wanted to use them would be allowed. Tom also ordered that they were to be bathed every morning and night. The Alverez women weren't sure what was going on, but they knew exactly who their master was. They also knew that these were the same women that had tortured Don Alverez to his death, and they weren't about to give them a reason to turn their attentions on them. Poppa Tony came to Tom when he arrived. He asked what had happened to Don Alverez. Tom looked at Poppa Tony before he said, "Poppa Tony, Don Alverez and his men are gone, and they won't be coming back. Don't waste your time worrying about things like that. Let me worry about those things." Poppa Tony looked at him and nodded his head. Tom knew that he would still worry, but he would see that it was useless. As Poppa Tony walked away Tom watched him checking the areas that he had seen blood. There might have been a stain on the floor, or wall, but it was clean. If you didn't know what caused it, you would never suspect the reason. Later that afternoon Robert took the opportunity to talk to Tom, at the restaurant. "I have talked to Peter and to John, I never knew. So many things make sense now, and you knew all the time. Why didn't you tell me?" Tom grinned at him, "Would you have listened? Think how you felt when you heard, and you asked to be told. How would you have felt if I told you, and you didn't come to me and ask?" Tom watched as Robert thought about it. He knew when he sighed and nodded his head. "You're right, I wouldn't have listened, and I would have resented you telling me how to live. I might have been a fool, but I still would have resented it." Tom smiled and nodded his head. Robert looked him in the eye, "I still want the girls. I'm willing to try and do things right." Tom asked, "What about momma? What are you going to do about her?" Robert frowned and looked down as he thought again about Mrs. Alverez. "I'll take her, but I know that I'll have to get rid of her soon." Tom nodded, "When the time comes, sell, or give her to one of the other warriors, or have one of the others kill her. Don't do it yourself. The girls might seem like kittens, but there is grit in them too. If they begin to hate you, you don't want them sleeping in your bed with you." Robert saw the wisdom of Tom's words, and he knew who he would ask to handle the job. Tom was surprised to see Don Carrone come into the restaurant. Tom motioned to a chair and Don Carrone sat tiredly. "You make a real mess when you fight." Tom wasn't smiling when he answered, "I fight to win, nothing else matters." Don Carrone nodded his head, "Yes, I noticed that. You wouldn't believe what we found inside. Some of the men got sick when they saw it." Tom snorted, "They aren't men. You really should get better help. Men don't care about things like that, when a job has to be done, they do it. It doesn't matter what it is, or how disagreeable, it is just a job." Don Carrone looked hard at Tom and knew that he meant every word that he had said, and he didn't doubt that every one of his men were just like him. Don Carrone nodded, "It's just Business?" Tom nodded his head, "Yes, it's just business. It might be personal sometimes, but it is still, just business." Don Carrone slowly shook his head, "Maybe I'm getting too old, somehow it just seems wrong. Once I had that fire, and would do anything. Before I met you, I never feared any man alive. Now there is a man that I fear, and it makes me feel old. Does that make me less of a man?" Tom looked at Don Carrone, "No, it means that you are smart enough to learn. There is always somebody worse than you are, even me. There are people that we all fear. That is only wise; it keeps us from doing things to get ourselves killed. Does it make you less of a man? Only if you let it affect your judgment. A man does what must be done, regardless of his fears." Don Carrone smiled, "You are a wise man. You are half my age, and I come to you for wisdom." He laughed and Tom joined him. When they had gotten it out of their system Don Carrone smiled again and said, "You should come and see your son. He is growing so fast." Tom shook his head firmly, "No. That is not my son. That is your grandson. He is your responsibility." Don Carrone raised an eyebrow in confusion. He studied Tom to see what he was trying to say. Tom knew what was passing through his mind and turned to John, "John, if someone took you hostage, what would happen to you?" Tom didn't even look at him when he asked. He kept his eyes locked onto Don Carrone's eyes. John didn't hesitate before he said, "You don't bargain. I know, just like all of the others, we will die before you will bargain for us. You will avenge us, but you won't bargain for us." Tom didn't break eye contact with Don Carrone, "And if they take my women, will I bargain for them?" John's voice was firm and strong, and he didn't hesitate before he answered again, "No. You will bargain for nobody. They all know that you will not bargain, and they all know what will happen if they are taken. They are willing to give their life." Tom looked at Don Carrone, "I have no son. You have a grandson. I will not bargain for his life, ever. Remember this well, if anybody tries to use him to get to me, I will sacrifice him in a second. I would then extract my revenge on them. If you think that what happened to Don Alverez would be painful, you have no idea what I would do to that person." Don Carrone knew that he was telling the truth, and it sent shivers down his spine. He also knew that Tom had made his position very clear, responsibility for his safety rested with Don Carrone exclusively. Don Carrone nodded that he understood. "You should stop by and see my grandson, he is growing like a weed." Tom smiled and told him, "I would love to stop by sometime and visit with you and your grandson." Both men and knew that they had established their positions and there would be no misunderstandings. ------- Chapter 61 That evening the Alverez women served dinner. They looked like that they had had a hard day. They were moving slow, but they weren't complaining. Tom caught momma's attention and nodded his understanding and encouragement to her. He noticed that she straightened her back a little and got a little smile on her face. But she kept to her task. Once dinner was over Tom called all of the warriors, and the women together. He put the Alverez women on the floor in front of him. They didn't know what was going on and huddled against each other. Momma felt that it was going to be okay, as he didn't seem upset at them and he hadn't turned his women loose on them either. She comforted the girls and whispered to them to wait and see what happened. Tom looked around the room at the assembled people. Once everybody was quiet and still, he then spoke, "Last night I asked the warriors if any of them wanted to claim the Alverez women. None of them did. I fully intended to kill them, but Robert came to me and said that he had changed his mind, and wanted to claim the women. They are now his property. If anyone wants to protest, or challenge for the right of ownership, you may now speak." Tom looked around at the warriors. He saw some surprised looks, but he heard no challenges, or protests. Tom looked at Robert and nodded his head. Momma Alverez listened with the others. She quickly understood that their life was changing once again, but she didn't know if it would be for the better or worse, but she knew that they now had a new master. She looked at the young man that came forward to claim them. She quickly got the girls up and ready to serve their new master. Robert nodded his head and told them to come with him. He led the way to his room and they followed quickly. Tom watched them go and wondered how it was going to turn out. Tom told Su to make sure that they got their tea every morning. She nodded her head and Tom dismissed them from his mind, they were now somebody else's problem. With a wave of his hand they all left to attend to their own things. Tom changed into his robe and made his way to the steam rom. He wasn't there for more than a few minutes before his women were trouping in. He smiled at them and they grinned back. After they had been seated for a few minutes Willard and Melody made an appearance. Tom noticed that she had lost her shy attitude and openly checked out all of their assets, and she didn't seem to have a problem displaying her own. Tom took the opportunity to go over the house situation with Willard. While the men discussed the business of the house the women started to get to know Melody. She quickly found out that being naked made a difference in how she talked. She found that she was more open and tended to hide things less. She wondered if all people were like that. She also noticed the she felt free any time that she was naked. It was a new experience for her, but she was learning to love it quickly. Melody had never met anybody like the master of the house and his men. Their attitudes were different and the way that they lived made her heart race. She would never have believed that the stuffy man that she met would turn out to be so free and liberated. She would never have thought that he would take charge of her and give her what she had always secretly craved. The things that she had done since she had come into this house had her head spinning, and she loved every second of it. Her safe and secure life had her ready to cut her own throat. The idea of marrying a stuffed shirt like Willard was too much for her to bear. She had loved to talk to him, he had a wonderful mind, and it was the only reason the she continued to see him. She knew that when he proposed she would have to call the whole thing off. But then suddenly, he was a different man. He was still the stiff and proper Willard, but he was also forceful and demanding. It gave her hope and she willingly fell into his trap. She found herself drawn to him, and doing things that he demanded of her, that she would have never done. She loved it and she realized that it was the life that she wanted. If he would just spank her, she knew that she would be in heaven on Earth. She told the women of her happiness, and she whispered her desires. They listened. They made no pretense that they understood her desires, but they each knew that they all had their own things that got their juices running and they didn't laugh at her. Melody was glad to be accepted, even though she felt strange about admitting her secret desires. Mei slipped away and whispered in Tom ear. She was surprised when he didn't seem shocked. She wondered what else he knew about that she didn't. Tom watched her go back to the women and turned to tell Willard about a little pain slut named Raven. Willard was shocked that Tom would tell him about the personal details of one of his wives. When he was finished Tom looked him in the eye, "Melody has told the women that she wants to be treated like Raven. If you want to make your woman happy, you're going to have to treat her rough. Make her tell you all of her desires and secrets, each time she doesn't, punish her. It will be a game for both of you, and give her what she needs, and the reason for punishment. It will also give her the excuse to tell you if she has any more desires that she hasn't told you about." Willard looked thoughtful, "Sir, I have always listened to your advice, even when I thought that it was wrong. You have never led me astray, and maybe even saved my romantic life. I will give this a try and see how she responds. I can ease into it, and if she doesn't respond well, I can drop the whole thing." Tom nodded his head and they changed the subject. The next morning, Tom noticed that Melody stood to have her tea, but she wasn't complaining. He also noticed that the Alverez women were present for the tea party. Robert asked the women to continue watching his women, with the only exception being that the other men were no longer allowed access to them. Tom grinned at the news, but didn't blame him one bit. Things settled down to a normal routine again. At least as normal as it got around the house. Everybody seemed happy, even Robert's women. They were beginning to adapt to the situation, and found the attention that Robert lavished on them to be addictive. Tom could tell that after a week he didn't need to worry about any of them running. He was sure that they would have to be driven away with a stick. He mentioned that Robert might want to have his women take them in to Chinatown for some new clothes. Robert nodded and left Tom to handle the instructions. A few days later, while conducting his business at the restaurant, Tom was talking to a chamber maid when he noticed a young Chinese man waiting to talk to him. It was unusual for a Chinese to be selling, or buying, information. It got his curiosity going. When he was finished with the maid, and made his notes, he motioned to the young man to sit. The young man bowed and sat. Tom waited expectantly to see what he had to discuss. "I am Feng Wo Mao. I came to ask if you would sell me Ho Min Wei." Tom was so surprised that he almost choked on his coffee. He stared a long time at the young man. He examined every inch of him from his hair to his feet. The young man didn't seen upset at the critical examination. "Why do you think that I would sell Wei to you, and why do you want to buy her?" Tom knew that it was not polite to be so direct, but this was something that required his full attention. Tom turned to Luke and motioned for him to take over for him, then turned his full attention back on the young man. He was slow to answer and Tom knew that he must have known that these questions were coming. "Wei and I have known each other since we were children. When her time came I went to talk to her father, but he wouldn't listen to anything that I had to say. When my mother found out that I had gone to Ho Min Lu she forbad the marriage. We were destined to be separated, so I married another woman, but I have never forgotten her." Tom nodded slowly. "You will come with me." Tom rose and put his coat on. He motioned to John and they walked out the front of the restaurant. A couple of minutes later Pat drove the carriage around the corner with John riding beside it. Tom and the young man climbed in the carriage. They didn't speak as the carriage wound its way toward the house. When they pulled up in front of the house Tom jumped down, and led the way into the house. The wonderful smells of Wei's cooking drifted through the house. Tom realized that it was lunch time. When they got to the dining room Tom stopped to see all of the women sitting around the table chattering like a henhouse. When Mei spotted Tom she sputtered once and quickly dropped her chopsticks. That drew the attention of the rest of the women. There was complete silence at the unexpected appearance. Tom noticed Wei when she saw Mao. He watched her confused expression turn to anger. "Feng Wo Mao, what are you doing in this house?" Wei suddenly realized that Tom had brought the young man, and she had just embarrassed her master. She dropped to the floor and quickly apologized to Tom for her outburst. Tom stopped Wei with his words, "Wei, get up and come here. Until I tell you differently, you are to assume that this is your house and that I am not here. I will tell you that Mao came to me and has asked to buy you. I will consider selling you, only if you ask me to. Do you understand what I have told you?" Tom watched as Wei went over everything that he said. He saw her head nod and he decided that this would be a good time to have some lunch. Tom sat at the table and motioned to Jess to fix him a plate, as he sat back to watch Wei's anger build a little higher. She suddenly turned on Feng Wo Mao, "What do you have to say for yourself, sneaking around asking to buy me? Do you want to make me your whore now? I wasn't good enough to be your wife. Your mother still will not let me in your house. Why are you here?" Tom saw her stand back and cross her arms. He had seen that pose on many women, and knew that Mao had his work cut out for himself. He smelled the lunch that Jess sat in front of him and started working on making it disappear. Mao also knew that he was going to have a problem, and wished that Tom had just kept this between men. After all it was men's business, but now he had to deal with Wei. "Mother is dead, and what she wanted no longer matters. At your time, I did go to your father but he wouldn't hear me. Now I came to make you my concubine." He smiled at her, but Tom thought that she wasn't buying it. Wei snorted, "Your concubine? You would put me in a house, and pretend that you don't know me while you walk around with your wife? Do you think that I would settle for that, after Master Tom has me living in his house, and wearing his ring?" Wei held up her hand and showed him the ring on her finger. "Master Tom treats me like a wife. His wife is like my sister. He listens to me and asks my opinion of important things. He treats me with respect and honors me. He fought Ho Min Chu for me, in front of everybody. He trusts me with a fortune." Wei took the five gold pieces out of her pocket, that all of the women carried, and showed it to him. She stood and glared as he tried to understand what was happening to his wonderful idea. He was sure that she would jump at the chance to be his concubine. Now he saw that she was not as impressed as he thought, and her life was much better than the one that he offered. Tom could see the tears threatening to run down his face and he used the only thing open to him, "Wei, I love you. I've always loved you." Tom could see Wei soften as she stroked her fingers across his cheek. "I love you too, Mao, but you insult my honor. I will only come into your house as a wife, and the head wife. I have the best, and I will not settle for second best ever again. Now go, and don't come back here unless you are serious. You know what I expect, and you had better be prepared to offer what I am worth to my master. If you insult me again, I will kill you." Wei pointed at the door, and Mao turned and left. Tom looked at John, "Is Pat still waiting around to drive him back?" John nodded as he ate his lunch. Tom shrugged and went back to his own lunch. Wei didn't look at anybody as she ran into the kitchen. Mei and Su were quick to follow her. Tom figured it would work itself out. It was in her hands alone. About a month later, Tom returned home to find Mao and Wei talking in the drawing room. Tom saw Wei had been crying, but he knew that he knew just about as much about women's tears as he knew about women's logic. He nodded to the couple as he passed through to the dining room. About an hour later Wei came to Tom and dropped to her knees. "Master, you said that you would sell me, if I asked you to. Will you sell me to Feng Wo Mao?" Tom smiled at her. "I said that I would consider selling you, only if you asked me to." Tom looked at her and saw the hope in her eyes. He sat and motioned for her to move closer. She crawled to him, and he pulled her head on his leg and stroked her hair. "Has Mao agreed to make you head wife?" Tom watched as Wei nodded her head. "Tell me, will you go to him as a wife, or as a whore?" Tom saw the confusion on her face, but suddenly it cleared, "I will be both, master. I will never forget what you have taught me. I will make him happy that I am his whore." Tom smiled and nodded his head. Tom stood and helped Wei to stand, "Give me your ring." Wei looked down at the ring on her finger. She was slow to take it off, and she kissed it before she put it in his hand. Tom took her in his arms and kissed her, before he said, "Ho Min Wei, from this moment all in this house are off limits to you. You will be sold to Feng Wo Mao, if he can afford you." Tom saw Wei smile and nod her head. She led him back into the drawing room and knelt at his feet. Tom looked at Feng Wo Mao, "Wei tells me that you are here to offer a price for her. If it is insulting I will drive you from my house, and you will never be allowed to speak of this again." Tom looked expectantly at Mao. He saw him swallow hard and spoke slowly, "Honorable Master Tom, I am here to offer you five hundred dollars for Ho Min Wei." Tom was surprised at the amount, but realized that it probably had something to do with the fact that Wei was carrying around two hundred and fifty dollars in gold. He could see that he had to offer more than his concubine was carrying in walking around money. Tom considered the offer. He felt Wei grip his leg and knew that she wanted to go with him. Tom spoke softly, "Feng Wo Mao, I will sell the concubine Ho Min Wei to you, with the understanding that she is to be married, and take the position of head wife." Tom watched as Mao quickly nodded his head. Tom then continued, "I will also warn you, that if you ever mistreat her I will take her back, and then I will kill you, your family, and your friends. I will erase the clan of Feng Wo from this land." Tom watched as Mao swallowed hard, but he didn't back down. Tom nodded at his courage. Tom held out his hand and Mao quickly understood. He dug out the money and placed it in Tom's hand. Tom counted it, making sure that it was correct. When he had observed the formalities, he put his hand down and Wei put her hand in his. He helped her up and offered her hand to Mao. He took it eagerly and Wei went to him. Tom coughed once to get their attention and looked at Wei and held out his hand. She seemed confused for a minute before she blushed and quickly took the five gold pieces from her pocket. She placed them in his hand. As he closed his hand on the gold, Wei kisses his hand. Tom saw tears in her eyes and he knew that his had some also. He made a motion and waved them out. They looked at each other and then they were gone. Tom yelled after them, "There had better be a ring on her finger before the week is out, or I'm coming looking for you." Tom heard distinct giggling and smiled. He turned to see Mei and Su looking a little lost and he opened his arms to them, they hugged him tightly and tried to burrow inside of him. Tom just held them tightly. That night after dinner Tom asked the room at large, "Well is there anybody else that has an old boyfriend that may show up looking to spirit you away?" Tom heard a couple of gasps and a few giggles but there were no declarations of boyfriends hiding in the woodwork. Tom looked around the table once before he motion for Jess to come to him. She was there in an instant. Tom took the ring that Wei had given him and held it out to her, "Tell me Jess, would you be interested in the position of concubine? You know what it means; I would own you, lock, stock, and barrel. I could kill you, or sell you and there wouldn't be a thing that you could do about it. You would be the last in the line, and at the bottom of the list. Interested?" Jess stared at the ring with tears running down her face. She looked up at him and asked, "Really? Me? You aren't just teasing me are you?" Tom shook his head and Jess snatched the ring from his hand. She jumped into his lap and covered his face with kisses. Janet whispered to Su, "You know that she has never had his cock. Think that we'll ever see it again?" Su giggled and said, "If hers keeps growing, we'll have two." They both giggled, but Jess never heard a word. She was in a world of her own. Robert's women didn't understand everything that had just happened, but they did understand that Jess had just been taken as a slave, and she was happy about it. It made them think about their own situation. They realized that there were worse things than to be a slave, to one of these men. That night Jess was allowed into Tom's bedroom for the first time. Tom wasn't sure that her feet touched the floor from dinner to bedtime. He enjoyed her happiness. A few days later Jess asked Tom a question, "Master, why does Melody like to be hurt?" Tom considered the question and knew that all of the girls were listening. Even though he really didn't know the answer himself, he knew how Raven felt, even if he really didn't understand it. Tom looked at Jess and asked, "I can't tell you the answer, but do you want to find out?" Tom watched many emotions pass across her face. He watched as she bit her lip and nodded her head, "I don't want you to really hurt me, but I would like to know why she screams 'hit me harder and make it hurt'. It confuses me, but just watching her makes me wet." Tom smiled and nodded at her. He turned her around facing the bed and motioned to Mei and Su. They quickly understood and each grabbed a wrist and pulled her across the bed. Tom motioned to Janet and finally got her to understand that he wanted her to kiss Jess. She quickly slithered under the struggling girl and locked her lips over her. The first swat of her ass sounded like a whip cracking. It was followed by four more just as quick and hard. Tom's hand was starting to sting and Jess's ass was a lovely pink. Tom leaned down and pulled Jess's mouth from Janet. She was panting when Tom asked her, "Now you know what she was feeling. Do you want any more?" Jess nodded her head and said, "Yes, but only if you're going to fuck me hard and fast afterwards." Tom smiled at the slip of a girl. He put her head back to Janet's waiting mouth. What followed were twenty of the hardest swings that Tom was capable of. Jess's ass was a flaming red and her legs were tightly squeezed together. Her pussy was drooling all the way to her knees. Tom couldn't feel his hand any more, but his cock was like an iron bar. He lined it up with Jess's leaking pussy and grabbed her around her tiny waist. With one mighty shove he buried himself to the hilt. Not even Janet's mouth could stop the scream that Jess let lose. Tom then complied with Jess's request and fucked her as hard and fast as he could. He wasn't sure, but he thought that Jess passed out, just as he fired his cum deep in her convulsing cunt. The girls all looked enviously at Jess, but once they saw her ass, they never requested the same treatment. Tom was secretly glad. It took two days before he had all of the feeling back in his hand. He hoped that she didn't want a spanking too often. Once everything settled down again, Robert came to Tom, while he was reading in the drawing room. "You asked me to take Eva, and I did, but it's time for her to go." Tom looked confused, and Robert frowned, "Momma Alverez, her name is Eva." Understanding suddenly flooded in and Tom nodded. "You said that it wouldn't be a good idea to kill her, and that I should ask one of the others, so I am asking you." Tom saw the light and realized that his words were coming back to haunt him. He had hoped that Robert would keep her, once he let her in his bed. Tom nodded his head and told him to bring her to him. ------- Chapter 62 Robert was back in moments, leading Eva by the hair. When he got to Tom he pushed her down between his legs. He then turned and left her there. Tom looked down at the confused woman. He gently stroked her face and watched as she nuzzled against his hand. He helped her up and pulled her into his lap. He held her while she snuggled in his arms. Tom spoke gently in her ear, "I'm afraid that Robert thinks that you're too old for him. There are things that he just doesn't understand. I convinced him to take you with the girls, so that you could support them and help them get adjusted, and to help train them. I told him that if he still wanted to get rid of you, that he shouldn't kill you himself, but ask one of the others to do it. Just so the girls wouldn't hate him for it. "Tom felt her go stiff in his arms and smiled to himself. "I thought that if he went to one of the others, they would want to keep you for a while and see what you could do. Basically it would be another chance to find a master. But he decided to pull a fast one on me. He brought you to me." Tom felt the tension ease in her a little, and decided that she probably felt safe with him. Well, maybe a little bit. "I will talk to the others and see if they are interested. If I can't get any of the others to take you, I will keep you myself, at least for a while. I will give you every chance to find a new master." Tom heard her sniffle a couple of times and felt her head nod. Then she burrowed as deep in his arms as she could get. Tom sat and held her. Tom knew that John wouldn't be interested, as Ming and Ping wouldn't be happy with Eva. He asked Luke and Ben, but both just shook his head and walked away. Tom went to talk to Peter. When Peter heard about Eva he thought a bit before he said, "I don't think that Victoria would like it. She would make my life a living hell. Even if I like the idea, it really isn't worth the grief that she would cause me." Tom stared at Peter. When the shock wore off he hit him as hard as he could, and knocked him on his ass. Peter looked at him in shock as he sat there looking up at him. Tom growled at him, "You had better get used to that and keep your knife sharp. Once you get back to the Cheyenne village it won't be long before every warrior will be lining up to challenge you. Any warrior afraid of captive slave won't be much of a challenge. I don't think that you will last a week. You would be better off killing that little bitch now, she won't make it much longer than you do, once she is in the hands of a real warrior." Tom turned and stalked away. Peter thought about what he had said, and knew that it was true. In the Cheyenne village any warrior that couldn't keep his lodge in order wouldn't last very long. It was a sign of weakness, and that would lead to his death. He had seen Tom discipline his women, and he saw that they jumped to his orders. He may not give orders all the time, but when he did, they jumped. He thought about Victoria, and realized that he spent too much time arguing with her, and she got her way more than he got his. He was suddenly angry. He didn't see himself as a warrior, but a bull to be led around with a ring through his nose. He was suddenly on his feet and storming through the house. When he found Victoria he grabbed her by the hair and dragged her out the back door. She was screaming all the way. Peter turned and slapped her until her screams turned to crying. Then he continued to the stables. Once there he stripped her clothes from her and tied a rope around her wrists, He roughly pulled her up until only her toes touched the floor. Peter growled at her, "You'll stay here until I let you down. If anybody touches that rope but me, I'll kill you. Do you understand?" Peter watched as the message sank in. She looked at him with wide eyes and asked, "What have I done?" Peter shook his head and his hand shot out and slapped her hard enough to split her lip and blood flew across the room. "I said, do you understand?" She quickly nodded her head. Peter turned and left the stables. When he entered the kitchen all eyes were on him. They saw the cold anger burning in his eyes and many of the women quickly looked away. "Nobody gives her food or water, but me. If I find out that she has been given anything, I'll kill the person that gave it to her." Peter looked around the room and any eye that he saw quickly looked away. He stormed from the room. Everybody watched as all of Victoria's clothes were taken to the stables. She watched as he put them in a pile and threw on a match, and she cried as they went up in smoke. Peter sat on a barrel and calmly said, "You will stay like that until I think that you deserve clothes. You will wear the clothes that I allow you to wear. I should have done this the first moment we met, but I indulged you. That was a mistake. You need to understand the realities of living with a warrior. Pretty dresses and giving orders are not part of living with a warrior. You need to understand that you live because I allow you to live. If I get tired of you, I have the right to kill you. It was suggested today that I kill you, and it wasn't a bad idea. From this minute forward, your life belongs to me, and when I take it, will be my decision." She watched as he stood and walked off. She didn't know what had happened, but she knew that her life had just come to an end. Tom grinned at Victoria's fate. It was a long time coming, and he knew that he was going to have to do a little house cleaning himself. He took Eva to Frieda's room and put her in Wei's old bed. He made it clear that the women were allowed to keep each other company, if they desired. Eva smiled and kissed his hand before he left. Frieda grinned and shut the door. Tom listened to Janet stomp around and complain for more than an hour before he said, "Shut up! This has nothing to do with you. Just be glad that you aren't out there beside her." Janet looked stunned, and wondered what she had done to deserve a response like that. She started to say something, but then thought better of it. She found a quiet corner and sat to brood. Tom shook his head. He knew that he would have to deal with her sooner or later. Tom went to talk to each of his women. Mei and Su were together and he thought that it would just save a little time, "You know what is going on?" Tom looked at them and watched as they nodded their head. Tom nodded once, "You know why she is out there?" He watched as Mei and Su looked at each other and when they looked back they shook their heads. Tom smiled, "When I first bought you, if I had took you out there and did that to you, what would you have done? What would you have thought? Think about it before you answer." Tom watched as both of them thought, then they turned and whispered and in both English and Chinese. He was surprised since they never spoke in Chinese anymore. When they turned back to him it was Mei that did the talking, just like when he first bought them. "Then we would have felt that we had displeased our master and he was punishing us. As good Chinese women, we would have accepted our punishment, and tried harder to please our master." Tom nodded, "If I didn't tell you what you had done, how would you have tried harder?" Once again they went into a huddle and the English was forgotten completely. Tom listened to the Chinese fly back and forth. "It is not our master's place to tell us what we did, unless he wants to tell us. We are expected to understand that we did something wrong, and if we can't figure it out without more punishment, then we will get more punishment until we can." Tom nodded his head. "And what do you think now?" The huddle was very short, "We think that we are not good Chinese women any more. We want to know what she has done, and why she being treated like that. We want to help her, and we think that what her master has done is wrong." Tom nodded his head. "You are right, you aren't good Chinese women any more. As good Chinese women you would have been right about what you think. I will tell you what she has done. She has been telling her master what to do and how to live his life. He has been looking the other way and allowing it. He has stopped looking the other way, and now she will be treated like the slave that she is. If you don't want to end up in a grave beside hers, you had better find out what happened to those good Chinese women." Tom turned and walked away as they immediately went into another huddle. Tom found Jess working in the kitchen. He led her into her old room and shut the door. "I haven't done you any favors in taking you as one of my women. You know what happened to Victoria, but do you know why?" Jess looked at Tom with some concern. "You aren't gonna get rid of me are you?" Tom looked at her and slowly shook his head, and she breathed a sigh of relief. "Victoria did something to upset Peter. You told all of the girls what would happen if they did something to displease you. I heard you telling Wei and Janet that you would put them on a post and let all of the men use them. I guess that it is about the same thing. If I do something wrong I know that you will punish me, but I do hope that you will tell me, so that I don't do it again. I worked hard to be one of your girls, and I won't give it up without a fight." Tom smiled at her, and thought that she had the best grip on reality of all of the women. He kissed her and let her get back to work. Tom went to find Janet. When he couldn't find her in the house he quickly went to the stables. There he found her giving water to Victoria. His temper flared and he stormed up to her. Victoria saw him coming and squeaked. Janet turned to look and she saw him for a second, before pain flared in her mouth and then the world went black. When she woke up she felt like her lips were twice as large as they should be and she tasted blood. Then she felt a cool breeze on her skin and she realized that she was naked. When she opened her eyes she found that she was indeed outside and she was tied to a post. Her hands were around the post, tied together. A rope ran around her neck and was tied to the top of the post. There was a small pole that came out of the post that stopped her hands from reaching the rope around her neck. No matter how hard she tried she knew that she could never get free by herself. Suddenly pain exploded in her ass and she quickly looked back over her shoulder. She saw Tom with a long stick and she knew where the pain had come from. "Didn't you hear what Peter said about giving her food or water? Do you think that it was an idle threat? He would kill you, and I would allow him to do it. If you are stupid enough to openly defy him, then you are too stupid to live." Tom turned to the warriors with him, "Use her hard and often." Janet suddenly felt something hard force its way into her asshole and she screamed. She realized very quickly that it was a hard cock. Tom had fucked her ass before, but it had always been gentle and only after she was very excited. Now she wasn't at all excited and this was far from gentle. Reality suddenly intruded in her thoughts and she remembered something that Tom had said when she was first brought to the house. She remembered he said that if she ever displeased him he would tie her to a post and let all of the men use her, and then he said that if that didn't fix the problem then he would kill her. She suddenly knew that he had been serious and that she had once again only heard what she wanted to hear and believed what she wanted to believe. She now knew that he would do those things to her, and she had better find a way to make him understand that she knew it. As she looked over her shoulder again she saw that the other warriors were waiting their turn at her tender ass. She hoped that some would use her pussy, as she didn't think that her ass would hold up to the pounding she was getting. She cried as she realized that she did this to herself. Janet lost count of the times that she was used throughout the day. She knew that all of the warriors had used her at least twice, and she knew that Willard and James had been out to use her too. The surprise had been Pat, she had never thought of him as a man before, but he showed her that at least one part of him was a man. As darkness descended she expected Tom to come out and release her, as she had learned her lesson, but he never came. He didn't come the next day either. She was beginning to think that he was going to let her die out there when he suddenly showed up while one of the other men was using her. He offered her water and she drank hungrily, ignoring the pounding going on behind her. When he put food in her mouth she quickly chewed and swallowed. He fed her by hand and gave her water to drink, but he never touched the ropes. She knew that her time wasn't over yet. She was glad when he got a bucket and washed away the waste that she had left. Just getting rid of the smell was a treat that she would reward when she got the chance. It was the next day that Melody came to her. She had food and water, but Janet wouldn't take it. She knew what would happen to Melody if she took it. "Are you crazy? Do want to end up on a post beside me?" Melody grinned at her and shyly nodded her head. Janet couldn't believe it. Why would any woman want to endure this kind of treatment? She suddenly knew that there were probably worse things that Tom could do to her, and she didn't want to find out what they were. Suddenly Willard's voice cracked through the air, "Melody, what the hell are you doing? You know what Master Tom said would happen to anybody giving her food or water. Do you want to be on a post beside her?" Janet knew that Willard couldn't miss the expression on her face. Suddenly Willard's hand shot out and slapped her hard enough to send her sprawling on the ground and Janet watched the food and water hit the ground in front of her face. That hurt more than the men pounding her battered asshole. Willard grabbed Melody by the hair and pulled her up to whisper to her, but Janet could clearly hear them. "I know what you want slut, but I won't allow him to put you on the post. No, I will tie you down and have the women massage you with hot oil, but never let you come. I will make them treat you with loving kindness, until you go out of your mind." Janet heard Melody groan and thought that he had hurt her, and suddenly she realized that he had. What sounded like heaven to her, sounded like hell to Melody. "But if you're a good girl, and you do everything that you are supposed to, I will put you on the post myself." Janet heard Melody gasp and then she moaned like she just had an orgasm. Janet couldn't believe it. "Now Melody, do you want me to put you on the post now, or do you want me to wait until Tom takes Janet off of the post? If you wait, you won't have to share the attention of all of those men with Janet. And if you are a very good girl, I'll even put a small whip on the post, so that you can beg the men to hit you while they use you." Melody was panting and moaning as she begged Willard to wait, and she told him how she could be a very good girl. Janet didn't know what to think. She would have begged just as much to get off of the post that Melody as begging to be put on it. She was confused, but her confusion ended quickly when she suddenly felt a pair of hands on her waist. She tensed and waited, and she didn't have long to wait as a hard cock suddenly plowed into her tender pussy. She was happy that it wasn't her ass, and settled down for another pussy pounding. That night Tom came out to feed and water her. She looked forward to his feeding. She didn't care if she was being used or not, as long as she got to see him. She didn't abuse the food either, as she only got it from his hand once a day. That night he washed her rear off and washed away her waste. He was nice enough to put a blanket over her, and she felt more for that blanket than she had for anything else in her life. Tom caressed her face and then he was gone, Janet felt worse at that moment, than she could ever remember feeling. Janet lost track of time, and the number of times that she was used. It all seemed like a big blur; the only thing that seemed real was when Tom visited her with food and water. It always ended too quickly, but she treasured every second. It was two weeks later that Tom came out and asked her, "Do you know why you are on the post?" Janet quickly replied, "Yes, Master." Tom nodded his head, "Do you know why Victoria is in the stables?" Janet thought, but shook her head. Tom nodded and turned around and left. Janet quickly understood that if she ever wanted off of the post, she had better figure out why Victoria was taken to the stables. She turned all of her attention to Victoria and Peter's life. She found that thinking was pretty easy when that was all that you could do, at least between servicing the men that used her body. She quickly came to understand that even though she had made a lot of mistakes in her thinking, Victoria had made more. She knew what these men expected from their women, and she and Victoria weren't giving them their best. To be honest they weren't trying at all. They were expecting these men to act like docile cattle that could be led around by their noses. She knew that these men were wolves. Not cattle, and to treat them as anything but a wolf was looking for trouble. Janet didn't know what caused the explosion, but she knew that it was bound to happen sooner or later. A week later Tom came to Janet and asked her, "Do you know why you are on the post?" She quickly nodded her head. Tom nodded and asked, "Do you know why Victoria is in the stables?" Janet quickly nodded her head, and Tom looked at her, "Tell me." Janet was quick to answer, "She treated Peter like a child and tried to control him." Tom looked at her and considered her answer. He suddenly turned and went back into the house. Janet thought that she had figured it out, but admitted that she could have been wrong. Tom returned with all of his women following him. He took a deep breath, "Where we come from, if you can't control your house, and your women, it is a sign of weakness. Somebody would challenge and try to take what we have. Any warrior that can be controlled by a woman, isn't a warrior and he won't last a week before he would be dead. I told Peter that it would be better if he just killed her now, as she wouldn't survive a week in the hands of her new master. He wouldn't put up with her shit and would probably kill her slowly and painfully." Janet suddenly understood a lot more, and hoped that Victoria was willing to learn. Tom leaned down and cut the leather cord around her wrists. He cut the rope around her neck and roughly grabbed her by the hair. He pulled her up to look into his eyes. He put his knife at her neck and pulled the blade down between her breasts and across her stomach and over to her hip. He saw that she felt the pain. But she didn't react and he smiled. "In my world, a man earns the scars on his body in battle. Each scar tells others that he has fought hard and he is still alive. On a woman, a scar is a thing that tells other women that she has displeased her man. The bigger the scar, the more she has displeased him." Tom could see the sudden realization of why he had cut her, and what it meant that it ran from her neck to her hip. He watched as tears ran from her eyes. Tom released her hair and motioned to the other women. They took her back inside. Tom saw Willard watching closely. He knew that Willard would have Melody on the post very soon. The rumor was that for the last three days she had been leaving trails as she went about her duties and the smell was starting to get to the other women. Tom didn't pretend to understand and he wondered how long Willard would keep her on the post. For that matter, Tom wondered how often she would be on the post. He knew that winter would make it had on her, but he didn't doubt that she would be there for one reason or another. Tom shook his head and headed back inside. Victoria's attitude improved once Janet spent some time with her. Janet must have explained a lot, because Victoria couldn't have been more submissive and still be breathing. Peter took Eva out to Victoria and explained that Eva was now not only in his house, but she was the head slave. Peter saw Victoria bristle and watched as reality set in. She knew her position now, and second slave was better than being a first slave hanging in the stables. Victoria listened as Peter gave Eva her instructions. Victoria wasn't happy that Eva would be giving all of the orders, but she also knew that when things went wrong it would be Eva that had to answer for it. Peter went on to tell her that she would have full control in the punishment of the other salves, and Victoria was sure that it would lead to trouble between them, but she could see that she had to have some authority, if she was going to get things done. But, she also knew that she had to have the guts to do the job, and Victoria figured it would take her a week or two to wear the old woman down and take over. Eva knew what Victoria was planning just looking in her eyes. She hadn't raised three kids and been a push over. She had a few surprises in store for Victoria. Eva was happy with her new position in Peter's house. Well, it was a room but he explained that the size didn't matter, it was the limits of his authority that determined his house. Eva quickly understood. She also understood that all of the men answered to Tom, even as young as he was she could tell that he was a force to be reckoned with. She secretly wished that she could be in his house. She loved him from the first time that she had ridden him. She felt it only fair to tell Peter how she felt, and he smiled and said that she was just another in a long line. He said that she shouldn't hold her breath, he had only seen Jess work her way into his bed. Eva smiled, that it could be done. Victoria got out of the stables a week later. She also got a scar as a reminder of her actions. Peter put it from shoulder to shoulder, across the top of her breasts. When Tom raised an eyebrow Peter whispered, I don't think that she will be shopping for too many dresses with a scar like that showing. Tom laughed so hard that the warriors thought it was a fit, but Peter waved them away. Tom noticed that Peter was right and also that Eva quickly had Victoria in hand. She spent a couple of days on the post, after Willard dragged Melody off of it. It did a lot for her attitude and made it clear to everyone that Eva ran Peter's lodge with a firm hand. Tom noticed that Robert looked longingly a few times when he found out what he had lost. ------- Chapter 63: Westward Ho As Tom had predicted winter was hard that year. The snow was deep and the winds blew harder than they had previously. The talk around Washington said that it was the worst winter in ten years. Tom shook his head when Melody still spent time on the post. She didn't have many takers out in the snow, but it wasn't for lack of trying. She did everything in her power to talk Willard into installing a post inside the house, but he wouldn't hear of it. Tom secretly agreed with him, even though he was never asked. When spring came Tom announced that it was time to return out west. He knew that some women had to be warned what they were getting themselves into, but he decided that some of them either already knew, or didn't need to know. He also decided that each warrior would have to make that decision for his women. Tom called Luke and Ben into the drawing room. They were nervous about the reason for the call. "Luke tells me that you two like living the life of a white man." Ben looked nervously at Luke and he shrugged back at him. Tom grinned at them,"Can I assume that you two would like to stay and continue your work?" Luke grinned and Ben smiled so big that Tom thought his ears were smiling too. He shook his head. "I will be sending a few more warriors back. Make sure that they understand what is going on, and how things are done. When they are trained, you will have the choice of returning, or staying here. I don't care how long that you want to stay. If you are old men with white beards still staying here, that's fine too. But remember the reason that you are here. You will always do your duty to your people first." Tom saw solemn nods and looked them in the eye, "If I summon you, you will come to me, at any time without fail." Tom watched as they nodded their heads. Luke quickly bent down on one knee and put his hand to his heart. Ben watched and quickly followed his action. Tom nodded, "Okay, get out of here and get into town and start doing some business." They looked up and grinned and both of them were out the door in a flash. Tom watched them go and shook his head. Tom called Mei and Su in to talk next. They were there quick and then seemed shy. Tom grinned at them and held his arms open. They were in his arms in a flash and as he sat they each sat on one leg and snuggled down against his chest. "We are going home soon. I will let you decide what you want to do. You can have me sell you. I'm sure you know who you would like to go to. Or, you can stay here and help Willard run the house. I'm sure that he would love the help. Or you can go with me. I will tell you that where we are going is primitive and you will have to learn a lot of things, even the language. You will have to share me with my other wives, and death waits around every bush and tree. It is not an easy life." Tom watched them look at each other and they didn't even talk it over before Mei said, "We will go with our master. He is a good master; he protects us and takes care of us. And, he said that if we would go home with him, he would let us have his babies. We will stay with our master." Tom smiled at them and swatted them on the ass. They squeaked, but didn't budge an inch. Tom had to run them off with threats of beatings and torture. They left the room giggling, and went to find Jess. Jess went to the drawing room and closed the door. She went to Tom and waited for him to tell her why he had called her. He pulled her down into his lap and she quickly snuggled in. None of them would ever pass up an opportunity to snuggle with Tom. "I have seen you with those dime novels." Tom felt her stiffen in his arms and grinned. "Tell me what you think about them. Who are your heroes, and who is the bad men?" Tom waited until she realized that he wasn't upset, but he wanted to know what she thought. "I don't really have any heroes. Every novel is about a different person. Some are good men and some are bad men. A lot of them are evil, and they write about them. They tell how one man has killed fifteen men. It's scary and exciting all at the same time." Tom looked at her seriously and she knew that he wasn't making fun of her. He seemed thoughtful for a while before he asked, "In your stories what have you read about Indians?" Jess looked at Tom and shrugged. "They're wild savages, always killing and scalping everybody. But I did read one onetime that said they were noble and fearless. I don't know what to think, I've never met one, and so many things in the dime novels are really tall tales." Tom smiled at her and shook his head. He decided that it would be better to get his hands clean on this one. "What would you do if I told you that you had met an Indian?" Jess looked shocked, then she looked hard at Tom before she said, "If I had met an Indian, I think that I would have remembered. I mean they hardly wear any clothes and they wear feathers and everything." Tom tried not to laugh, but knew that her ideas came from novels. "Okay, pay attention here, because I'm only going to tell you this once; I am an Indian; specifically a Cheyenne Indian." Tom watched as Jess tried to decide if he were pulling her leg, or just trying to make a joke. "I don't believe you. You are smart and you are educated. Indians don't go to school. You are just making fun of me." Tom watched her eyes fill up with tears and knew that this wasn't going well. "Do you remember when I took off in Virginia? Tell me what I looked like then." Tom waited until she dried her eyes, and she thought about it. "Well, you looked like you do now, except that you weren't wearing a shirt, and you had on funny pants." Tom nodded at her, "And I suppose that you understood everything that I said." Jess thought for a minute before she shook her head. "No, you and the others were talking in a funny language. I don't know anything about different languages. I thought it was French or something. I think speaking French is so sexy." Tom shook his head. He tilted her head up so that he could look her in the eyes, "I was speaking Cheyenne, and so were the others. We are all Cheyenne Indians. We came here to fight for our people. We dress like white men so that they won't try to kill us as soon as they see us. I am very serious about this, and I need to know how you feel about it." Jess could see that he was serious and she suddenly didn't know what to think. 'Was he crazy?' 'Did he really believe he was an Indian?' 'What if he is an Indian?" 'What did she think?' Jess thought for a long time before she said, "I really don't know what an Indian is, or what one looks like. Maybe you are an Indian, I just don't know. What do I feel about it? I still don't know, but I do know that I love you, as a white man, or an Indian, it really doesn't change who you are inside. That's the man that I love." Tom smiled at her. He looked at her hard before he said, "I am asking you these questions because we are going back home, to the Indian village. We will live like Indians again. I need to know what you want me to do with you. Do you want to stay here, or go with me? I'm asking because there won't be any chances to change your mind, so you need to be sure." Tom sat and watched her think. It was a while before she spoke, "I already said you're the man I love, so dress me in skins and paint me up because you aren't going to get away from me. Who knows, if you try to get away from me, I might just take up scalping myself." Tom laughed at her simple approach to the problem. Tom pointed out that where they were going she wouldn't get a chance to buy things anymore, so anything that she wanted she had better make sure that she took with her. She grinned at him, "You mean that I can go and buy a whole bunch of dime novels and take them with me?" Tom laughed again and nodded his head. She suddenly looked serious and asked, "Tell me the truth, do you think that reading those dime novels makes me simple? When I was seeing Willard, he tried to talk to me about a lot of things, but I didn't understand any of them. I know that you and Willard read those big books about important things. When he saw me reading a dime novel he laughed at me. That's why I hide them now, I don't want you laughing at me too." Tom knew that she was serious and he never knew that Willard had ridiculed her, "Jess my dear, I will never laugh at you for reading the dime novels, or for what you do or don't know. I only ask that you always be willing to learn. Yes, I like to read different things, that you don't seem to like. It doesn't make me any better, or worse than you. You are just as smart as everybody else; it is just in a different area." Jess look at him in shock and shook her head. Tom knew what she was going to say, and quickly put his finger over her lips. "Jess honey, take my word for it, you are a lot smarter than a lot of people. You can read and write. There are a whole lot of people that can't even write their own name. Believe me honey, you are a very smart girl and you will only get smarter the longer that you read." Jess looked at him for a long minute before she nodded her head, "Really?" Tom nodded his head and she felt better. Tom had to shoo her out, too. She left with a spring in her step and went to find Janet. Janet was cautious about everything since her time on the post. She came expecting the worse and hoping for the best. Once again Tom opened his arms and pulled her onto his lap. Like the others she wouldn't refuse a chance to cuddle with Tom. Tom didn't have to sugar coat things for her, he quickly gave her the same options that he gave Mei and Su, and the additional option of returning to Magnolia House. She had to think a long time, especially about Magnolia House but in the end she chose to stay with Tom. Her opinion included the fact that she had worked too hard to get where she was to give him up now. He smiled and swatted her ass on the way out. He felt good that his women wanted to stay with him regardless of the hardships. Tom found out the others, with the same option, made the same choice. Robert didn't offer the girls the option of staying, but Eva wanted to go. Whether for her girls or for Peter, Tom wasn't sure. He didn't think that in the end that it really mattered. Tom made arrangements for four wagons and started gathering provisions. Willard's usual efficiency showed itself, and soon things were arriving in short order. Tom personally checked over the horses. After sending two back he announced the others acceptable. Peter checked the wagons over thoroughly and even made a few changes, just to reinsure that they had no trouble during the journey. John made arrangements for two freight cars along the B&O, to the end of the line. It had managed to get all the way to Springfield, Illinois. Tom told John to arrange a short layover in Newburg, and to make sure that the girls didn't know about it. John grinned at the thought. Robert was putting together his seeds, and crating them up. Some he even had the crates tarred so that they wouldn't get wet. He was going to fill almost a whole wagon on his own. Tom told him that he was going to have to travel with that wagon and to leave enough space for him and his girls. He wanted to put some supplies there too, but Robert flatly refused. Tom wondered if he got hungry enough, would he eat his precious seeds, or would he willingly starve? All too soon they were ready to go. The girls mourned the loss of some of their pretty things, but weren't complaining when Tom reminded them that they could stay behind with their things. The wagons were loaded with supplies and Tom made sure that all of the women understood that riding in a freight wagon was a lot different than a carriage. They all sucked it up and climbed in. They didn't have far to go. The train depot had their freight cars ready and they got the wagons and horses loaded. Robert refused to leave his wagon. Peter wanted to stay and watch the small amount of gold that they were carrying, even though Tom thought it was ridiculous. He still suspected that Peter didn't feel comfortable riding in the carriage cars. He assumed that he felt trapped by the close confines when the train was moving. The women stayed with their men. The first part of the trip to Baltimore went smoothly and the car change went quickly. They were on their way west before noon on a sunny Wednesday morning in eighteen–fifty. After a little more than two years Tom was anxious to be going home. It was late in the afternoon on the first full day that trouble found them. They were sitting as they usually did with Tom and John sitting on the isle and the women on the outside of the seat. They had their back to the end of the car and were watching for trouble. It was easy to spot when two men made their way in the carriage car. From the moment that they entered, Tom knew that it would be trouble. He eased his pistol from his shoulder holster and covered it with his hat. He sat watching the two men annoying all of the passengers as they passed. They hit one man and openly robbed another. They molested all of the women that they passed, taking every liberty that Tom could imagine. Any man that protested got a gun barrel across his head and then his pockets were turned out. They worked their way down the carriage car until they came to Tom and John. "Hey, look what we got here. Looks like our lucky day. I just might have to keep me one or two of these fine looking women. Not the chinks though, but the white women look almost good enough to eat." His partner was quick to answer, "I don't know Roy, I kinda like the look of the chink sluts. I just might have to keep a couple of them myself." Tom calmly looked up at the two men and softly spoke, "If you leave right now, I won't kill you." Both of the men laughed. When the big man, whom the other had called Roy, reached for Janet Tom pulled the trigger and his pistol spat death. Roy had a surprised look on his face as he slowly dropped to the floor. His partner was shocked only for a second and then he was reaching for his own pistol. John put his pistol to his head and cocked the hammer. The man froze with his pistol half way out of his holster. Tom smiled at him before he told him, "I gave you a chance to live and you just wouldn't take it." Tom's pistol swung with a vicious arc, and when it hit his head he crumpled to the floor. Tom quickly emptied the pockets of the two men into one of their hats and sat it on the seat. Tom motioned to John and then the window. John nodded and opened the window and helped Tom lift the dead man. They threw him out the window and then turned their attention to the unconscious man. Tom smiled and grabbed him and motioned to the window again. John helped him ease the man out head-first. When they had him out as far as knees, Tom stopped and held him while John lowered the window. They left him hanging from the window of the moving train. The girls looked out the window and giggled. Tom and John walked back through the carriage car with the hat offering the return of the valuables. Some things were easy, but the money was a different story. Everybody claimed to have lost a lot more than they did. Tom decided to handle it fairly and after the watches, rings and broaches were returned, and there was only money left, Tom counted what was there and divided it up equally among the passengers. He knew that some people lost and some got more than they had, but it was the best that he could do. He explained to the people that at least everybody got some of their money back. It was hard to complain when you had nothing before they returned what they could. A terrible commotion returned them to the man struggling in the window. Tom looked out and shook his head. He was very red in the face and Tom wondered how long he would be conscious. He decided that the man wanted to be set free, so they opened the window. He dropped head first from the train and Tom hoped that he managed to protect his head, but really didn't worry too much about it. They closed the window and went back to their seats. None of the other passengers had any comments. It was the only trouble that they encountered as the train stopped at each station. At some, freight cars were unloaded and loaded, and at others passengers were unloaded or loaded. They sat and watched as the miles rolled by, and slept when they were tired. It was two days later that they pulled into Newburg, and Tom watched Mei and Su look longingly at the town. Tom grinned as freight cars were unloaded and more took their place. Just before the train was ready to pull out, Tom and John stood and told all of the women to follow them. Mei and Su didn't know what to think, but Tom saw the hope in their eyes. Once they were off the train, Peter and Robert met up with them. Tom led the way to the hotel. He managed to get four rooms. Once they were settled in Tom looked at Mei and Su, he saw that they could hardly stand still. The other women didn't have a clue what was going on. Tom smiled and said, "Okay, get going. We'll see you back here later." They were gone so fast, Tom wished that he had horses that could move that fast. All of the Warriors grinned at each other, but the women were still in the dark. Tom and John led the women out into the town and let them do some shopping. They had used almost no supplies yet, but picked up a few things to replace what they had used since they left. Robert and Peter took the horses to the livery and stabled them there. When they had finished, they caught up to the others and joined their women. After an afternoon of shopping they went back to the hotel. There they waited for Mei and Su. It wasn't long before they came bursting in laughing and giggling. They had a light in their eyes that Tom hadn't seen in a long time. They got everybody together and led them to a Chinese Restaurant. There they had a feast. Tom knew that there was no other word for it. When they had finished Tom met the same old man that had sold him the girls. They bowed to each other and Tom knew that the old man was happy. For the next two days the girls were constantly in and out. They took the other women with them many times, and they all came back laughing and giggling. Tom knew that it was probably the last time that they would have much to laugh about for a long time. When they started traveling by wagon, it would take its toll on everyone. The next day the train was due and they got ready. It was around noon when the train pulled into the station. Tom and the warriors watched as the freight cars were added to the train, and Peter and Robert led their little group into the freight cars. Tom could tell that the women would rather ride with the other women, but they didn't protest as they followed their men. Tom and John led their women back into the carriage car and they found seats that Tom and John were happy with. When everyone was seated they didn't have to wait long before the train pulled out and was on its way again. Late the next day they pulled into Springfield. It was the end of the line, at least for now. Tom suspected that it would one day go all the way to Independence. It was a hard three weeks later that they pulled into Independence. The trail and seen so much traffic that wagon ruts were almost up to the bottom of the wagon in places. Tom wondered how so many people could travel so much to beat a trail down into the Earth. Independence was worse than it was when they had been through it last time. Tom was having a hard time with the smell alone, and he saw that he wasn't alone. He looked at the unbelieving eyes of the women as they watched people who didn't even notice the stench that made them want to gag. Tom smiled at the way they ran to the water barrels. John grinned at them as well. He knew Tom well enough to know what he was thinking. Tom decided that language lessons would begin and each warrior would be responsible for their own women. He told them that if that wanted to group together for more practice he didn't mind. He saw that Ming and Ping immediately joined his group. It took Tom two days to find a wagon train that he agreed to sign up for. John seemed surprised when Tom told him about it. Tom smiled and told him, "There is nothing but talk of gold. They found Gold in California and more than half of these people now want to go to California. They will be leaving here and traveling the Santé Fe trail down and heading into the New Mexico territory. We will be able to travel faster and safer as far as we are going. And the best thing is that they are leaving here day after tomorrow. We will have to move the wagons over and join the group tomorrow, but then we will be on our way." John nodded with a smile of his own. John asked Tom, "Wouldn't it be a good idea if men showed up with gold and stories about finding it in different places, just to keep people moving in a different direction. After all look what the talk of gold has done here. It might help when the talk dies down to get it started again." Tom smiled at the idea. "I think it is a great idea. I'll send you back to hang around Independence and tell stories of Gold." Tom saw the revulsion in his eyes and knew that as good an idea as it was, he would have a hard time finding any warriors willing to do the job. But maybe rumors could be planted in other places, and let them travel on their own. He decided that it needed more thought. Tom called a meeting that night and told the group what the plan was, and why he decided to travel by wagon train. Even though the traders moved faster, there weren't any in Independence right now, and he didn't want to wait for them to arrive, do their business and buy wares for the next run. He had hoped to talk to his young trader friend again, but there are times that you take what you can get. Tom looked at the little group and said, "You will not talk to any of the wagon train people. If they talk to you, nod or shrug and move away. We don't want them getting friendly with us, or asking questions about us. If I find anybody that breaks the rules, I will have a talk with you myself." The threat was not lost on a single woman there. Some of them looked to their masters and saw that they would support Tom on this, and possibly help him enforce his discipline. A few shivers found their way around the group. Tom looked at each of them one last time and ended the meeting. The next day they moved their wagons over to the wagon train and joined the tail of the train. As the last people to join they would have to travel at the end, but Tom preferred the position. They wouldn't be traveling very long with the train, and when they dropped out, they would be missed easily. Tom hoped that nobody would remember exactly when they left. The next morning Tom and his group was ready to travel at first light, but as usually happens the first few days, the wagon master had to make the rounds and kick wagons and threaten the group. It was only an hour after sunup that the little wagon train started out. Tom was glad to be moving. It would take days to get away from the smell of Independence, and even longer for the smell to get off of them. Because of the situation they ended up stopping at most of the trading posts. The wagon master ended up having to stop just to keep the little wagon train together. Once wagons started pulling in, he couldn't very well keep going. It would divide the train and scatter the people. Even when he told them not to stop, somebody still pulled into the trading post. Usually to pick up something that was an emergency, but it started the next wagon, and then the next one. Tom shook his head. He really didn't mind the stops, but it showed the lack of control the wagon master had, and the lack of discipline of all of the people. He knew that killing a group like this would only make the white men stronger. He thought about just killing smart people, and letting only the stupid ones live. But, he realized that it wouldn't do any good. A million people could still trample you to death, when they are herded like cattle. It was a nice thought as he sat and watched the latest group of wagons show their stupidity. ------- Chapter 64 It was three long weeks later that Tom saw Huggins Trading Post. Tom had told the wagon master that he was having problems with his wagons. The wagon master told him that the best that he could do was to leave him at the trading post. Tom was dejected but told him that he understood that the train had to move on. A few people waved as the train pulled out at another unplanned stop and Tom waved back. Nobody saw the smile on his face, or would understand why it was there. Tom walked into the trading post. "Hey, are you Bert Huggins" Tom watched the man behind the counter look up. He started to say something and froze as he looked at the man standing in front of him. He quickly glanced around and then replied, "Yea, I'm Huggins, what do you want?" Tom noticed that he was looking at three men standing at the makeshift bar in the corner. He understood immediately. He nodded his head slightly. "I have some wagon trouble, and I need a place to park'em while I work on'em." Tom watched Bert smile a little smile, "Sure, pull'em around back and you can park'em there." Tom nodded his head and glanced quickly at the men. With a few quick hand motions Tom asked Bert of he wanted the men gone. Bert nodded quickly. Tom looked the place over, "Well, you seem to have a right nice place here. I think that I'll send the women folk in to have a look around." Tom saw the horror on Bert's face and winked at him. Bert looked back unbelievingly and just shrugged. It was already said and nothing could stop what was going to happen now. Tom went back outside and started helping the women off of the wagons. As each hit the ground, Tom's voice was in her ear. He whispered what he wanted and watched as every one of them smiled like a little girl at Christmas. Tom motioned the girls to talk to the others quickly. It looked like a flock of chickens cackling as they went into the trading post. Tom motioned to the warriors. They quickly walked over to Tom as he kept his eye on the trading post door. "Bert has a little trouble with some scum hanging around. I sent the women in to clean the place out. If they let any of them get outside, they're yours." Tom watched the warriors instantly shift into warrior mode; silent, alert and deadly. Tom watched John check his pistol and move toward the door. The others not wanting to be left out followed quickly. Tom just sat on a wagon wheel and waited. Before the first warrior made it to the door they heard a man scream. Tom knew that Bert's problems would be over before any of the warriors could make it inside. After he watched the men enter he sighed and walked back to the trading post door. When he entered he didn't bother to look around, but walked back up to the counter and watched as Bert just starred at the women innocently cleaning their knives. Tom grinned, "The women folk thank you kindly for the entertainment. They have been bored to tears at the lack of things to keep them busy." Bert looked at Tom, "Where the hell did you find a bunch of killers like that?" Tom noticed that Bert had a smile on his face and smiled back. "Oh, different places. But once we found them we just couldn't let them go. You know how it is with cuddly little kittens, they're just so hard to throw out." Bert looked at the women again and didn't see anything soft or cuddly about them. He wondered if Tom was just pulling his leg. Tom saw the look and turned to the women and opened his arms. Four of them were instantly rushing to him. Bert watched as they all cuddled and rubbed against him anywhere that they could reach. They didn't look anything like the blood thirsty killers that had just killed three desperate, well-armed men. Bert shivered when the remembered that he was concerned about Tom sending his women in here. He realized that he should have been concerned with any man that crossed their path. As he looked at them he wished he had a hundred just like them. Tom looked at Bert and smiled, "These are mine. The twins belong to John and the two dark haired beauties are Roberts. The other two belong to Peter." Bert grinned, "Is that all you were doing; shopping for women?" Tom grinned and nodded his head. The women giggled. Tom wondered when they lost that beautiful sound. He knew that was a sound that older women never made. Tom pointed at the dead men. "So, where did you get them?" Bert snorted, "Scum like that have been plagues on the Santé Fe trail since gold was discovered in California. They prey on the people coming back, and then on some of the ones going there. In between they hit the traders hard. Those were waiting for traders. They have a couple of partners that are scouting the traders. When they get close they will show up, and collect the other scum, and then they will go out to ambush the traders. In a day or so the trader will pull in all shot up, or the scum will pull in with the trader's goods. I usually buy the whole wagon for about twenty cents on the dollar, and I'll make a deal for the wagons and teams. Those I send someplace else. If they don't like the price they can go into the trading business and take it to another trading post." Tom grinned. It was amazing that humans had their own equivalent to vultures; another plague of the white man. Tom asked about his young trader friend and Bert nodded his head. "He should be in the next trading caravan, the one that those scum were waiting for. He even has a young apprentice, now. Tom grinned at the thought. He quickly thought about the time they had been traveling, it was only two months since they arrived in Springfield. They were well ahead of schedule. Tom looked at Bert, "So in the next few days, two more like those will be getting here?" Bert nodded his head, and Tom smiled and Bert felt a shiver run down his back. Tom looked thoughtful, "If you don't mind, when they get there I'll let the women handle them. They really aren't worth a warrior soiling their hands with." Bert looked at Tom and shrugged. Tom looked at the women for a minute before he said, "Maybe I'll let the twins have them, but I'll have to take their knives away from them." Bert gasped as he looked at the delicate little girls and wondered what Tom was thinking. Tom looked at the frightened features of Bert and grinned to himself. "When they get here, slip out the back and let me know. We'll handle the rest." Tom watched the girls take off and run to Ming and Ping. After a flurry of conversation the twins looked at Tom and bowed respectfully. Tom knew exactly what they meant. John looked away in disgust, and stomped out of the room. Tom knew that they could take John hand to hand, but he knew that if John was serious and he was willing to use a knife, they would never lay a finger on him. The women were in a huddle on and off for most of the afternoon. It was late the next day when Bert slipped out the back and motioned to Tom. He immediately understood the hand motions. Tom turned to the girls. "Ming, Ping, your new boyfriends are here." The girls turned and looked at him with venom. Tom grinned back and hoped that they were good and mad. "Be sure to bring the trash out back, we don't want to have to clean the trading post again." The girls looked thoughtful for a second and called Jess over. She was even smaller than they were. Her breasts had continued to grow and they now looked like her sister Jenns'. With her tiny waist, she was a walking wet dream. She giggled as the girls whispered in her ear. They all moved toward the trading post. Tom motioned to John and he immediately understood. They quickly took up a position at the rear door of the trading post. The girls entered through the front. They weren't in there for more than a minute before the two men were on them. Jess was the main draw, but the twins attracted their own attention. In less than a minute the two men had lost their weapons and the girls were driving them out the back door. Once they flew out the door, without their weapons Tom and John holstered their own pistols and sat down on the edge of the porch to watch the show. Bert slipped out right behind the women. He was stunned at the viciousness of the women's attack. Tom noticed and motioned for him to sit. "Don't worry, I've fought those two, they can handle themselves." If Tom said that he had fought them, then Bert didn't doubt that they could. He realized that without weapons they really weren't in that much danger and decided to be like Tom and John, and just watch the show. It was a little short lived, the two bandits weren't really in that good of condition and after only fifteen minutes they couldn't get back up again. The twins snorted in disgust as they each took one and cut his throat. Bert wondered if he still had it in him to do something like that. He knew that he was getting soft. It was later that night when the traders pulled into the trading post. Tom could tell that they were alert and expecting trouble. When everything looked normal, and there were even women running around the trading post, they relaxed. Bert told them that the scum hanging around the trading post had met with an accident. He changed things around a little and said that they had offended the ladies, and that their men took exception. He didn't say how they met their end, even though he gave the impression that the men did the dirty work. He didn't want the traders doing anything stupid with the women. Tom saw Brian Peevers as soon as he dropped from the wagon. Tom took his knife and threw it. It stuck in the wagon about a foot from Brian's head. He quickly turned and had his gun out looking for trouble. When he saw Tom smiling at him he smiled and dropped his gun back in his holster. He pulled the knife from the wagon and walked up to Tom. "You should know better than to throw your weapons away, you might need that if bandits show up." Tom smiled as he took the knife, "Naw, I don't see any bandits brave enough to come around here. Too many honest men that know what they are." Brian nodded his head, "That is the truth; an honest man has no use for bandits." Both men smiled as they shook hands. Brian introduced his apprentice. A sly look at Tom told him what he wanted to know, and he nodded his head. As Tom and Brian talked he noticed that the apprentice was always close by, listening and trying to be helpful. After Brian ran him off to his blankets Tom nodded with his head at the back of the retreating boy. "How did you end up with him?" Brian grinned, "It was so similar to something that happened once before that I didn't have a choice. It was late one night and we knew that bandits were around. I remembered what one man could do in the night and I told the others that I was going to slip out and see what was going on. They all thought that I was crazy. I slipped out and slowly made my way through the trees. I had never been more frightened in my life. I just kept quiet and slipped from tree to tree. The next thing I knew I saw a kid minding the horses. There were three plus his. I hit him over the head and then tied him up. Once I knew how many there were, it didn't seem so bad. I snuck back through the trees and waited for the attack." He spent a little time looking in his coffee cup and thinking. Tom understood and didn't rush him. "When it came I slipped around behind them. One quick shot and it was all over and I slipped around to the next one. After I got all three I called to the camp and then I walked in. I told them what happened and they wanted to kill the boy, but I remembered another time and a promise. I told them that we would handle it my way. Since I did all of the killing they left it to me. I did something like what happened before. I brought all of the dead to the edge of camp, then I went back and got the boy and the horses. I walked him back to camp and I showed him what his life was going to end up being. I made him bury the dead before I let him leave. When I traveled back through he was waiting at a trading post. He asked me for a job. I understood how he felt, and how much courage it took to wait for me, and ask me for that job. I gave it to him. I have never regretted that decision, and when he asked me why, I told him what you told me. One day he will help somebody else, and if we can only change one at a time, it will still make this a better place." He looked shyly and grinned. Tom smiled at the young man,"Yes it will. Nobody can change things overnight. I remember once I had a task that seemed so big that I didn't think that I could do it. I was talking to a very wise man that told me, You don't have to worry about the whole thing. It is like a deer, you are only interested in the very tip of the nose. Just worry about that and leave the rest of the deer alone. Change just one, and let him change just one, and sooner or later you will run out of ones to change." Tom smiled at the young trader and he smiled back. Tom watched him leave for his blankets. John quietly stepped out of the shadows. Tom didn't turn but spoke softly, "I'm glad that I let that boy live. That is one good white man, and he is teaching another. One day maybe we can live with the white man." Tom slowly walked into the night and John thought about what he said. "I hope so, my friend. I hope so." John kicked the fire out and went to his own wagon. Ming and Ping and been on edge since the fight. They had been working on each other to take the edge off, but when John crawled in to the wagon they attacked him. He didn't put up any fight at all. He was even happy to be attacked. John got to sleep late that night, but he knew that he wouldn't complain about the loss of a little sleep. The traders left the next morning with the sun, and Tom's little group left shortly after. The next week was slow going, but the language lessons were paying off well. The women could converse in simple sentences and the warriors switched to Cheyenne only. It made the learning go a lot faster. Tom knew that they were being watched, just as the other warriors knew, but thought it strange that nobody contacted them. It didn't make any real difference, and he put it out of his mind. At night they each took a turn at patrolling the area of the wagons. When they were approaching the Southern end of the valley, Tom noticed that the fence was damaged in a few places. He wondered what had happened in the valley. When they got to the gate, Robert jumped down and opened it. He waited until all of the wagons had passed through and then closed it again. Once he was on the wagon they set off again. Tom noticed that a lot more of the southern valley had been cleared, but he didn't see any planting done. He dropped back and spoke to Robert, "Does this look strange to you?" Robert already had a troubled look on his face and quickly nodded his head. Tom led the way to the house and found it empty. It looked like it had been empty for a few months from the dust and dirt. He frowned as he told the women to unload the wagons and stay at the house. The other warriors quickly nodded their agreement, and all of the women began unpacking the wagons. Tom and the warriors quickly changed into their old clothes. They hadn't had a haircut in three months and were starting to look like Cheyenne warriors again. Wearing their buckskin britches and soft moccasins they quickly felt at home. Once they had their knives and bows they were ready to go to the Cheyenne village. Tom led the way and they traveled quickly. When he got to the village it looked as though they were expected. There were six young warriors waiting for them. Tom didn't doubt that they had only been named in the last year. One of them was older, but he couldn't remember his name, but he did remember that he was a trouble maker. Tom lightly dropped to the ground to face the warriors. The older warriors spoke for the group. "So, Fighting Hawk returns to the village. You aren't welcome here anymore. Take your white men and get out." Fighting Hawk was amused at the attitude and smiled. "Those are brave words, are you willing to face me to make me leave?" He saw the hesitation in the other's eyes and it surprised the young warriors with him. Fighting Hawk waited patiently for him to rise to the challenge, or back down. As he watched he heard the other warriors also drop lightly from their horses. That seemed to make some decision for the warrior, he smiled and stepped back and waved his arm. "We wouldn't think of stopping you from seeing that you have no friends here." Fighting Hawk raised his eyebrow as he walked past the small group of young warriors. Fighting Hawk led them into the village. He heard whispers traveling faster than they did and he watched people coming out of their lodges to see them. He saw the hope and fear in their eyes. He led the way to Gray Eagle's lodge. When he got there, he didn't even have time to sit before Water Lilly was sobbing in his arms, and Little Eagle as holding on to his leg. Fighting Hawk softly spoke to Water Lilly, "What has happened here mother? Why are the people living in fear?" Water Lilly moved her lips to his ear and whispered. He was sure that her voice wouldn't carry more than an inch. "There is evil in the village. Those young devils have no honor. Anyone that opposes them is killed, Gray Eagle is wasting away and there is nothing that I can do. When Thundering Buffalo died, there was nobody to tend the sick. Gray Eagle was hunting, and when he didn't return the warriors went out to hunt for him. They found him, it looks like an arrow in the back, but there was no arrow there. We only suspect, but we can't prove anything." Fighting Hawk was angry and nodded his head. "Take me to Gray Eagle quickly." Fighting Hawk entered the lodge and quickly checked over Gray Eagle. He hissed at the damage and the drainage. He told Water Lilly to boil some water as he walked back out of the lodge. He noticed the young warriors were keeping their distance, but watching everything that was going on with interest. Fighting Hawk motioned to the warriors and they joined him around the cook fire. "We have a problem. It seems that some young hyenas think that they are wolves. They attack anybody that opposes them. But like all hyenas they are cowards. They strike from behind and use arrows, rather than challenge a warrior face to face. Anything that you do, do it in pairs." Tom looked around at the faces of the warriors, they knew what they faced. "I need Storm Cloud and Walking Buffalo to go and get my black bag. While they are gone I want you to move around the village and see how much more trouble they have caused, and how many hyenas we have to deal with." Fighting Hawk watched as they quickly broke apart and started on their own tasks. He smiled at the confused look on the young warrior. It was obvious that he didn't know what was going on and he didn't like it. Fighting Hawk hoped that he would get stupid. Fighting Hawk scrubbed Gray Eagle's wound and heard him grunt. That was at least promising. Once he had the wound clean he waited for Storm Cloud and Walking Buffalo. He had a hard time not thinking of them as John and Peter. It had been a long time since he had thought of them as anything else. When they got back, he took his case and told them to go hunting as there wasn't any fresh meat. He told them loud enough for their watchers to easily hear. Fighting Hawk smiled and whispered, "Lead our little friends out and make sure that they don't come back. Don't hide the bodies; I want them to know what they can look forward to. And don't get yourselves shot in the damn back; I have enough work here now." They smiled and nodded their heads and lightly jumped on their horses. Fighting Hawk watched them head east and to the edge of the village. Fighting Hawk opened his medical bag. It had been over a year since he had opened it, but everything was just where it should have been. Fighting Hawk cut the dead tissue away and started the long process of saving Gray Eagle. Water Lilly and Little Eagle didn't shy away as Fighting Hawk worked. He cut some things here, and sewed up other things there. It was a slow and painful process. He was glad that Gray Eagle was unconscious, and couldn't feel it. An hour later, Fighting Hawk heard the unmistakable cough of Storm Cloud. He never stopped or looked up as he spoke to Water Lilly, "Mother, go and get the meat that Storm Cloud has brought. Make a rich soup with lots of broth. It will probably be the only thing that he will be able to keep down for a while." Fighting Hawk didn't look to know that she had gone, and was following him orders. She was quickly back and kneeling by Little Eagle, they were holding each other. The tears had already passed, now it was just hope. Big Owl burst into the lodge, "Father you're really back. I heard, and wanted to believe, but..." Fighting Hawk never looked up as he softly spoke, "Shut up and get out of the way. I need to concentrate on what I'm doing." Big Owl immediately stepped aside and dropped down by Water Lilly. He watched as Fighting Hawk continued his surgery. An hour later Fighting Hawk finished sewing Gray Eagle's wound. He knew that it was going to be a hell of a scar, and he was going to be slow to heal. Fighting Hawk sat back and breathed a big sigh. "He is doing better now, and he should recover. Make sure that you keep plenty of soup cooking. When he complains about the broth, start giving him small pieces of meat in the soup. He will be slow to heal, the wound was infected and I had to cut a lot away. He was lucky that it didn't hit anything that would kill him." Water Lilly came to him and kissed him soundly and hugged him until he thought that his ribs were going to break. "I knew that the Great Spirit would protect him, but I never thought that he would send you back to us. We need more help than even Fighting Hawk can give us this time." Fighting Hawk growled and whispered in her ear, "From a bunch of hyenas? That's all that they really are. We have already started cleaning them out of our den, the wolves are back." Water Lilly looked at the anger in his eyes and knew that he had already declared war. She was afraid for him, but she knew what he was and he would never run from a fight. She nodded and said, "Well, since you are going to clean up the den, make sure that you run off the pups, too." Fighting Hawk looked at her and saw the hard look in her eye. He knew that she had to be seriously upset to ask him to kill the children, too. But he could see the potential for trouble in the future. He nodded his head to her. She went out to the cook fire to keep an eye on the soup. Fighting Hawk looked at Big Owl, "Well son, it seems that there has been some trouble since I have been gone." Big Owl snorted, "It started almost as soon as you left, and just kept getting worse. They would never come out and fight in the open, but shoot warriors in the back. They make it clear that everybody knows who is doing it, but there is never anybody to see it happen. Usually they attack when you are out hunting and can't watch your back, and the game. That was how they got Big Cloud." Fighting Hawk looked concerned, "Is he dead?" Big Owl shook his head, "No, but there are times that I wish that he was. We were hunting and when they attacked they shot him in the back. If he had died I could have gone after them and hunted them down, but, since he was alive I had to stay and help him. It took everything I had to get him back, but Thundering Buffalo saved him. He is recovering now, but I missed my chance to get the cowards." Fighting Hawk nodded his understanding, but he was glad that Big Cloud was still alive. Fighting Hawk stood and turned to the lodge flaps, "I think I will go and see who wants to talk." Big Owl growled, "I will be watching your back. They are growing bolder, now they strike even in the village." Fighting Hawk nodded to Big Owl and left the lodge. ------- Chapter 65 He walked to the counsel fire and saw Little Beaver sitting at the counsel fire, surrounded by many of the young warriors. Fighting Hawk walked up and kicked Little Beaver in the face. Blood and teeth flew as he sprawled on the ground. One of the young warriors was quickly on his feet with his knife in his hand. Fighting Hawk's knife was already in his hand and he put it through the neck of the young warrior. The others gasped in surprise as they watched him fall at their feet and die. Fighting Hawk calmly looked at Little Beaver, "The counsel fire is for the Chief, the War Chief and the Shaman. I don't think that you are any of those. If I ever see you sitting there again, I'll kill you." Fighting Hawk watched as his hand moved toward his knife and smiled at him. "Think you're good enough?" He watched as Little Beaver snatched his hand away and got to his feet, "This isn't over." Fighting Hawk spoke so softly that only Little Beaver could hear him, "It had better be, or you'll be a dead coward." Fighting Hawk saw the anger flare and hoped that he would try, but he stomped off. He watched the other young warriors quickly follow after him. Fighting Hawk sat at the counsel fire and waited to see who would show up. It was only a short time later that Swift Pony limped up to the counsel fire. "I heard that you were back, but I couldn't believe it. Seeing you sitting here gives me hope once more." Fighting Hawk smiled at the young man. "What happened to you?" Swift Pony sat back from the counsel fire, in the second circle where visitors were allowed to sit. He looked at his leg before he spoke. "I opposed Little Beaver when he called for all of the warriors to be removed from the valley, and be brought back here. One of his warriors stood up for him and challenged me. I won, but it was only a first blood fight. Later that day I went hunting. I was hit by an arrow from behind, in the leg. It went clean through and I didn't search for the arrow. By the time that I made it back I was almost dead from loss of blood. It took a long time before my leg healed, but I haven't been very swift of a Pony since then." Fighting Hawk nodded. He heard the approach of warriors and held up his hand to Swift Pony. He turned his attention to the young warriors approaching him. When it was obvious that they were coming for the body Fighting Hawk spoke, "You can leave the body there. I haven't decided if I want to cut his important parts off, or just hang him like he is." Fighting Hawk smiled at their shocked expressions. Both were considered insults of the dead, and it was debated at times which was worse. Fighting Hawk slowly rose and waited for them to make a move. He saw the anger and watched as they reached for their knives. Fighting Hawk smiled at them and said, "So it takes both of you to challenge a warrior? I wonder if a white man raped your mother before you father married her?" The first lunged at his chest and Fighting Hawk slapped the knife away and pushed his knife into the young warrior's neck. The second thrust his knife at his stomach. Fighting Hawk danced to the side and pulled his knife out of the first warrior's neck as he slashed down and almost cut off his hand. He dropped his knife and quickly raised his hands. Fighting Hawk smiled and at him and drove his knife into his neck. The surprised look on his face was priceless. Fighting Hawk spoke loudly for all to hear, "You expect mercy, when you attack me two against one? I don't think so." Fighting Hawk wiped the blood from his knife, on the young warrior's body, before he sheathed his knife and sat back down at the counsel fire. Swift Pony smiled at him, "You are making a good start on your first day back." Fighting Hawk grinned back at him, "Yes, but I need to know who I am fighting. Tell me the names." Swift Pony smiled and nodded. You already had a run in with Little Beaver. There is also his brother Slow Beaver. Then there is their father Night Beaver and his brother Bright Beaver. Then there are about twelve young warriors that they trained, kind of the way you and Big Cloud took the boys hunting and taught them to be men. They taught how to be less than men, and fight dirty and stab your enemies in the back. Well, there used to be about twelve young warriors, and there are nine, with these three gone." Swift Pony smiled at the dead bodies. Fighting Hawk was lost in thought. He frowned once before he spoke, "I know Little beaver, he is nothing but a braggart and a coward, he isn't an issue unless he can catch you with your back turned. Slow Beaver on the other hand isn't a coward, but it's only because he is too dumb to be scared. He is one big son-of-a-bitch, if he gets his hands on you, you can pretty much kiss your ass good-bye. The only saving grace is, he is as slow as his name says. Night Beaver and Bright Beaver; I don't know them. I don't think that I ever met them." Fighting Hawk looked at Swift Pony, who nodded. "They used to live at another village. They came here just before you left. All of the Beaver family moved in together. Their father raised Little Buffalo when his father died. They are all cut from the same cloth. They teach their little ones to be bullies and to take what they want. They teach them to attack from behind and to kill their enemies in their sleep. Nothing is too low for them to do, and most of the time they are proud of it. As long as they can hide what they do." Fighting Hawk frowned again. "How are people like this allowed to live in the Cheyenne village?" Swift Pony shrugged. "When there was only one or two of them, it wasn't a problem. They kept their mouths closed and did what they had to do to fit in. Now that there is a family of them and they are getting stronger, they are getting braver and coming out in the open. Well, as much in the open as they ever get. But they are getting louder, they are trying to take over the village and Night Beaver is making noise about War Chief, and Bright Beaver is making a play to be Chief. If he manages to be Chief he will name Night Beaver as War Chief. If they manage to get a hold on the leadership that will put them in control of the Cheyenne Nation." Fighting Hawk shook his head. "How do you know all of this?" Swift Pony grinned, "Big Cloud. We talk a lot. We can't do much else right now. We also watch and listen a lot." Fighting Hawk grinned at Swift Pony. Swift Pony was quick to continue, "Slow Beaver and Night Beaver took out another six young warriors this winter. They aren't back yet. That is probably the reason that they haven't attacked you yet. With the summer festival coming next month, they could be back at any time." Fighting Hawk nodded that he understood. He started to get up when Swift Pony coughed. Fighting Hawk knew that he wouldn't stop him, if it wasn't important. Fighting Hawk sat back down and looked expectantly. When Swift Pony looked at the ground and spoke, Fighting Hawk's stomach tightened. "Besides the hunting accidents, there have been a few other things. Your women have been attacked, they made the men pay dearly for their attentions, and most of them have gotten the idea. Then, your daughter was trampled by a horse. At least they said it was a horse, and she had hoof prints all over her, but it was strange that she was the only one killed, or even hurt. She was the daughter of your white wife Kelly." Swift Pony suddenly fell silent. Fighting Hawk remembered holding her in his arms, after she was born. Fighting Hawk rose silently and offered his hand to help Swift Pony up. With his injured leg he didn't refuse the help. When Swift Pony looked at Fighting Hawk he saw nothing in his eyes, they were lifeless pools of steel gray death. He felt the tightly controlled anger radiate from Fighting Hawk and he felt a cold shiver run down his spine. He knew that he didn't want to be any of the men that Fighting Hawk was going after. Fighting Hawk softly whispered, "Go to them and tell them not to come to me. I will come to them, after I have dealt with the vermin infesting the village." Swift Pony nodded his head and watched as Fighting Hawk turned and walked back through the village. Fighting Hawk moved with a purpose. He got his horse from Gray Eagle's lodge and rode back into the valley. He rode hard and never looked back. It wasn't long before he saw the forge cave. He was glad to see Running Deer still had his smithy running. Fighting Hawk was quick to drop from his horse and to grab Running Deer's arms. He smiled and saw the pain in the old man's eyes. He knew that his own showed a similar pain. "Fighting Hawk, it is good to see you. I thought that you might have run into an accident already." Fighting Hawk's grin showed his teeth like a shark, "Not yet, my friend. But that is the reason that I came to see you. Do you have any dynamite left?" Running Deer just starred at Fighting Hawk and nodded slowly, "That is dangerous; we don't us it unless we have to." Fighting Hawk smiled, "I need a stick, my friend." Running Deer looked at him hard and nodded once. He turned to talk to one of his assistants, who promptly ran into the tunnels. Fighting Hawk heard the sound of horses and prepared himself. He saw that Running Deer did the same. He was relieved when he saw that his warriors were riding hard, after him. He smiled when Storm Cloud dropped from his horse, "Damn it Tom, what the hell were you thinking running off like that? You were the one that said to never go anywhere alone." Fighting Hawk smiled at him speaking in English. "Do I have to start hitting you on the head again to remind you to speak Cheyenne now?" Storm Cloud seemed flustered for a minute before he shook his head and grinned. "No, you don't have to hit me in the head, if you stop doing stupid things like that, I won't get upset." Fighting Hawk laughed, and the other warriors laughed too. The warriors moved off to talk and Fighting Hawk asked, "How was your hunting trip?" Storm Cloud and Walking Buffalo both smiled and Storm Cloud said, "You were right, three of the hyenas followed us out. We were moving quick and led them to an area that Walking Buffalo knew of, that you couldn't get horses in. We dropped down and quickly entered on foot. We circled around and waited. When all three came following us, we snuck up and clubbed them. Then we did what you told us to do, we took them and left them where they would be easy to find, after we cut their throats." Walking Buffalo took over the story from there. "Then we went hunting. There are so many deer out there that you almost trip over them just walking, so we took two. We carried them back to your lodge, and found out that your women were there. We let them handle the deer and carried one haunch to Gray Eagle's lodge like you told us to do. Then we just spread out and waited to see what would happen. We watched as you cleaned up the counsel fire, and then when the two hyenas came sniffing around. We didn't know what to think when you left, but you sure caused a stir when you rode out of the village." Fighting Hawk grinned, "I will cause a lot more when I ride back in. Tonight I will rid the village of the vermin infesting it." The warriors all looked uneasy. "Fighting Hawk, we can't do to them what we have done to the white men. The villagers would not see it as honorable." Fighting Hawk nodded, "Honorable or not, I will put an end to this threat. None of you have to have a hand in this. I will do this alone." Fighting Hawk turned to Running Deer and took the wrapped offering; he slipped it under his belt and turned to his horse. The warriors followed him and mounted their own. "We never said that we wouldn't follow you. Hell if they run us out, we can always go back to Washington and keep killing white men there." Fighting Hawk laughed and the others laughed with him. He knew that they trusted him to keep them alive, or at least give them a fighting chance. There was still daylight left when Fighting Hawk and the warriors rode back into the Cheyenne village. They rode to the counsel fire and Fighting Hawk sat back down. The warriors waited for him to tell them what he wanted done. Fighting Hawk pointed at the bodies, "Go hang those by their feet where everybody can see them. Storm Cloud nodded and Walking Buffalo and Night Owl dragged the bodies away. They hadn't been hanging long before Little Beaver stomped up to the counsel fire. "What is the meaning of hanging warriors in the trees?" Fighting Hawk slowly looked up, "When a warrior attacks without warning, or they have to attack in pairs, they show that they aren't warriors, but cowards. That is how I treat a coward. Don't worry Little Beaver, there will still be enough room for you, whenever you get up the courage to try it." Fighting Hawk smiled a vicious smile and Little Beaver took a step back. Little Beaver growled, "Well, maybe there are more cowards here than you think. Three of my warriors were killed while they were out hunting. They left about the same time that your warriors left, and nobody else was out in the woods. Fighting Hawk seemed thoughtful as he turned to Storm Cloud, "Did you see anything of some cowards lurking in the woods while you were hunting?" Storm Cloud thought for a minute, "Nope, just deer and hyenas." Fighting Hawk shook his head. "They didn't see anything. It must have been the same cowards that shot Gray Eagle in the back, and have been attacking the other warriors while they were hunting. Cowards like that don't deserve to live. I guess that we will have to get all of the warriors together and go out in the woods. I am sure that by the time we come back, the cowards will be safely dead. You and your family will come with us, won't you?" Fighting Hawk watched the emotions play over his face. He knew that there would be no way that they would ever go out with a bunch of warriors. He watched as Little Beaver stomped away from the counsel fires. Storm Cloud grinned and asked, "Did you really think that he would agree to something like that?" Fighting Hawk shrugged, "It would have been easier to do it that way, than what I will be doing later." Storm Cloud shook his head and hoped that Fighting Hawk knew what he was doing. Fighting Hawk was surprised when Moon Flower showed up at dark, carrying food and water for all of the warriors. She looked longingly at Fighting Hawk, but she never said a word. She delivered the food and then turned and left quietly. Fighting Hawk wanted to talk to her, but firmed his resolve. He took a piece of meat and chewed as she walked back into the night. Any watchers would know that she didn't know any more after she left, then before she came. It was well after dark and the fire had died to glowing embers. Fighting Hawk spoke to Night Owl, "Go and find the watchers, and kill them." He had only been gone for a few minutes when Fighting Hawk spoke to Walking Buffalo, "Make sure that he doesn't miss anybody. Then position yourself between here and the Beaver lodge. Anybody that he misses will try to report to them. Kill them quietly." Walking Buffalo slipped from the fire and was gone in the night. Fighting Hawk sat starring into the dying embers. It was much later and the embers were cold when Fighting Hawk quickly rose and moved silently into the night. Not a sound was made as he moved through the village. Storm Cloud was watching in his wake to make sure that nothing unexpected happened. At the edge of the village they stopped, looking at the Beaver lodge before them. Fighting Hawk moved to the edge of the woods and began to circle around until he could see the lodge flaps. They were opened a little to let the fresh air in. He stopped and took out an arrow. He attached the stick of dynamite to the end and attached the cap and fuse. He cut the fuse short, leaving only about two inches of fuse. He looked at Storm Cloud and whispered, "When I pull this arrow, you light the fuse. As soon as it is lit, you tell me. Then dive down on your belly." Storm Cloud looked concerned, but nodded his head. Fighting Hawk pulled the arrow and aimed for the opening. He waited for Storm Cloud to signal to him. He ignored everything else. Storm Cloud struck a match and lit the fuse. He quickly said, "Its lit." and did as Fighting Hawk had told him and dove on his face. Fighting Hawk let the arrow fly, but fate took a hand. Little Beaver was just coming out to see what the flash of light was when the arrow struck him in the stomach, knocking him back into the lodge. The explosion destroyed the lodge. Pieces of lodge and Little Beaver were all over the ground. Fighting Hawk rose and moved toward the destruction. Storm Cloud started to follow, but Fighting Hawk stopped him, "This is my dishonor alone. What I will do, I will face alone." Storm Cloud nodded and moved to keep watch. Fighting Hawk looked at the destruction. It was complete, but there were still many alive. Little Beaver had absorbed a lot of the explosion. Fighting Hawk made his way around the bodies, any that were left alive he cut their throats. There were no survivors; men, women or children. All of the snakes in the nest were killed. When Fighting Hawk was finished he went back to Storm Cloud. He saw that Walking Buffalo and Night Owl had joined him in keeping watch. "Any watchers that you killed, and all of the Beavers I want hanging from the trees before first light. When you are finished, find me those last six warriors. Tie their hands and bring them to the Counsel fire." Fighting Hawk turned and left. He was sitting at the counsel fire, which he had just got going into a small blaze, when he saw Swift Pony and Big Cloud making their way to the counsel fire. He noticed Big Owl walking behind them with his bow notched, and looking all around. When Big Cloud sat at the fire he looked at Fighting Hawk, "You do have a way of stirring up trouble." He grinned and Fighting Hawk smiled at him. "Well, most of the time the trouble is for others. Like the Beavers. I'm afraid that they had a little accident and killed themselves." Big Cloud and Swift Pony starred disbelievingly at him and he saw them swallow hard, "How many of them?" Fighting Hawk grinned, "All of them, of course." I am having their cowardly bodies hung in the woods right now. When they are finished doing that, they will bring the last six cowardly warriors to me. I will clean out their lodges and hang their bodies from the same trees." Fighting Hawk had no remorse and Big Cloud knew that he would do what he felt must be done. He nodded his head. Fighting Hawk said, "I have done this alone. You might want to go back to your furs. Just being with me, could have you defending your honor. When this night is over my honor will be in question, but I will live with what I have done and accept the judgment of my people. But, only when I am finished, until then they can scream and complain, but I won't listen to them. Big Cloud nodded his head. He motioned to Swift Pony and they slowly rose from the fire. "I am glad that you are back. We need you now, more than ever. Regardless of what the people think, you are always welcome at my fire. I would sit here with you, but I can't answer a challenge yet. Another dead warrior wouldn't help anybody." Fighting Hawk nodded his agreement and watched them move back through the darkness. An hour later Fighting Hawk was looking at the six young warriors. "Do you know where their lodges are?" He saw the warriors nod their heads. Fighting Hawk looked at the young warriors. There was a time when he would have looked at young warriors with pride, but these had been warped and twisted, and it was no source of pride. Fighting Hawk calmly asked, "Who killed my daughter?" He saw one of the young warriors sneer as he answered, "She wasn't killed, it was an accident." Fighting Hawk shook his head sadly. He took his knife and thrust it as hard as he could into the knee of the young warrior. It went between the bones and Fighting Hawk twisted as he pushed it deeper. The young warrior screamed. "No, that is an accident. I want to know who killed her." Fighting Hawk kept twisting the knife and the warrior kept screaming. When he stopped twisting the knife he looked into the frightened eyes of the young warrior. "Do you remember what happened yet? Or do you want me to twisted the knife some more, until you do remember?" The warrior quickly shook his head, "It was Night Beaver. Your women took a knife to him when he tried to use one of them. He said the he would teach them a lesson. He took the little girl and clubbed her. Then he trampled her with the horse." Fighting Hawk sadly nodded his head, and pulled his knife from the warrior's knee. Fighting Hawk spoke to his warriors, "I will be taking this warrior home now. Keep the others here until I return." Fighting Hawk stood and motioned to the young warrior, "I can't walk." Fighting Hawk shrugged his shoulders, "Then crawl, I really don't care." He then kicked the young warrior between his legs. He saw all of the warriors cringe at the action, but it got the point across. With his hands tied behind him and only one good leg, he squirmed through the dirt, making his way through the village. Fighting Hawk knew that all of the lodges had eyes. There wasn't any action, either in support or opposition. He shrugged and kicked the young warrior to keep him moving. When he dropped panting in front of a lodge, he sputtered, "Here, this is my lodge." Fighting Hawk stepped thought the flaps and found one woman who was obviously his mother. He grabbed her by the hair and threw her out the lodge flap, to land at her son's feet. She screamed and quickly held him in her arms. "What have you done to him? Night Beaver will have your head for this." Fighting Hawk smiled. "Maybe he will, or maybe I'll have his. But either way, it will be too late for you." The meaning was clear and she knew that she was about to die. "You would kill women and children?" Fighting Hawk laughed, "That is a warrior, not a child. But to answer your question; yes, I will kill women and children. If they follow the Beavers, they aren't even human. They are nothing more than wild dogs and need to be killed before they can breed again." Fighting Hawk quickly grabbed the young warrior by the hair and jerked him up, before cutting his throat and letting him drop back down into his mother's arms. She screamed at the sight, and tried to stop the blood from spurting out. Fighting Hawk watched her struggle. When she gave up, he calmly leaned down and cut her across her stomach and watched as her insides spilled out in her lap. She was so stunned that she didn't make a sound. Fighting Hawk turned to find Storm Cloud watching his back. He grinned his thanks, "Would you see if you can find a tree for these two?" Storm Cloud nodded his head and watched as Fighting Hawk went back to the counsel fire. The young warriors were quick to answer any question that he asked, but it still didn't stop how things played out that night. Five more times Fighting Hawk followed a warrior to his lodge, and afterwards it as only an empty lodge. The first rays of the sun found Fighting Hawk sitting alone at the counsel fire. He had sent his warriors to bathe and to get some sleep, but sleep wouldn't come to him that night. He had emotions stirring his thoughts. Water Lilly brought him food and water, "Gray Eagle woke last night. He sat and had his broth. He complained that it wasn't fit for a warrior, but he kept it down. His fever is almost gone, and he sleeps peacefully. You did well, my son. I owe you his life." She kissed him on the cheek and quietly left. Fighting Hawk smiled. He felt like it as the first time in a long time that he had anything to smile about. When the warriors showed up, he ordered them to go hunting and bring back as much deer as they could carry. He told them to make sure that every lodge had meat for their cook pots. They nodded and quickly left. They were coming and going all day, but by the end of the day Fighting Hawk knew that the village had food. He dozed as he sat at the fire, considering what else he should do. He knew that this threat wasn't finished. That evening Moon Flower again brought his evening meal. Once again she didn't speak, but she looked longingly. The next morning he wasn't surprised when Water Lilly brought him food and a report on Gray Eagle. He listened and smiled at her. He could see that Gray Eagle's recovery had her happy again. When his warriors showed up they waited for Fighting Hawk to tell them what to do next. Fighting Hawk finally made his decision. "I want you to go to all of the other villages. If there is anybody related to the Beavers here I want them brought here; every man, woman and child. If they resist, tie and gag them, but I want them alive." Storm Cloud frowned, "If we are out running to the other villages, who will protect you?" Fighting Hawk smiled, "I will protect me, or you can ask a few of the warriors here that you trust, if you feel that I need protection." The warriors looked at each other and nodded before they rose and headed to their horses. ------- Chapter 66 Fighting Hawk wasn't surprised when six warriors came to visit with him at the counsel fire. He listened to them talk for a long time before he asked, "Did one of the other warriors ask you to keep an eye on me?" He saw a few embarrassed looks, but none of them would deny it. Fighting Hawk slowly shook his head. "Well, if you are all just going to be sitting around, I can think of better things for you to be doing, and you can still keep an eye on me." He knew each of these warriors from the winter hunts. They had all been trustworthy and turned out to be good men. They quickly nodded their heads. Fighting Hawk pointed to two of the warriors and told them to go hunting for the injured of the village, and to make sure that the widows had plenty to eat. He suggested having his women take the widows their portion and the young warriors looked relieved at the idea. He looked at the next two and told them that he needed lookouts to know when Night Beaver and Slow Beaver were returning. The two warriors had a hard look in their eyes, but nodded that they would get some help and set up a watch. Fighting Hawk nodded at the idea before he turned to the last two. "Your job will be the worst, and if you don't want to do it I will do it myself. I need to know who went on the hunt with Night Beaver. I need to know where their lodge is. After I pay the lodge a visit, you will need to hang the bodies from the trees. As I said, if you don't want that job, I will do it myself." The two warriors quickly nodded their heads. Fighting Hawk listened to the list of young boys that went off with Night Beaver. He shook his head at some of them, as he had thought that they would know better. He visited each lodge and in every case it was a widow. He saw that they were getting their warriors young so that they could teach them from the first. Fighting Hawk didn't like this part of his plan, but every widow and any other children in the lodge where killed and thrown out by the cook fire. After Fighting Hawk had killed the last of them he went back to the counsel fire. He sat and just stared into the fire. When the young warriors came back, Fighting Hawk sent them to the river to bathe. When they returned he thanked them for their work. They waved away his thanks, "We should have done this a long time ago, when the killings started. At first we were confused, but then when it became clear what was happening, and who was doing it, we were afraid. They always came up from behind you. You never knew when they were there. I'm ashamed to say that I was afraid, but I was." Fighting Hawk nodded his head, "There is nothing wrong with being afraid. It will keep you safe, and stop you from doing stupid things, but you can't let it control you. They were playing on your fears, and making you doubt yourselves. You can control good men by separating them, and making them feel like they are alone. When a man doesn't think that he can win against many men, he lets them get away with things that he never would before. Don't let it bother you too much. You just forgot what it means to be a warrior; you forgot that you are already dead, and that you are just waiting to stop breathing." The young warriors looked at each other and hung their heads. Fighting Hawk sadly shook his head. He didn't mean to make them feel bad, but the truth is the bitterest medicine. That night Fighting Hawk was surprised when Little Mule brought him his evening meal. Fighting Hawk could tell that it was all that she could do not to jump on him, but she looked at the other warriors and straightened her shoulders. She left his food and water without saying a word, but her eyes spoke volumes to Fighting Hawk. He looked away so he wouldn't be tempted. The days continued the same way, Water Lilly bringing his food in the morning. Fighting Hawk holding court around the counsel fire, and then one of his women bringing his evening meal. Then he would sleep at the counsel fire, when he could sleep. It was four days later that the first relatives of the Beavers showed up. Storm Cloud had them all tied and gagged. He pulled them from their horses when he got to the counsel fire. Fighting Hawk watched as they struggled to sit up. He motioned and Storm Cloud cut the gag away from Quick Beaver. "I understand that you are related to the Beavers here, is that right?" Quick Beaver scowled at him. "Bright Beaver will kill you for this. He is the new Chief of the Cheyenne people, after that old fool Gray Eagle died. He will drive you from the villages with the marks on your face, and I will be there to watch." Fighting Hawk nodded his head, "I see. So you think that Bright Beaver will save you?" Fighting Hawk watched the contempt in the man's face as he stood and walked to his family. He sat stunned as Fighting Hawk cut their throats in front of him. He then turned to the man and said, "I'll make sure that I hang your body next to Bright Beaver, since you admire him so much." Fighting Hawk watched as his words made the man cry, when the death of his family didn't, and wondered what type of people these were. When he stood over him it was clear what he was about to do, and Quick Beaver began to beg for his life. Fighting Hawk looked at each of the warriors around him in disgust. He saw the same look being returned from each of them. Fighting Hawk stopped and thought. He turned to speak to Storm Cloud, even though all of the warriors could hear him. "Take him like he is and hang him from the tree. Be sure that you put him next to Bright Beaver. I wouldn't want him to think that I lied. If he can beg somebody to cut him down, then he can go free, and the one that cuts him down will take his place." Fighting Hawk saw the grins on the faces of the warriors. They all knew that he didn't have much chance of convincing anybody to take his place. Fighting Hawk sat back down at the fire and waited for the next arrivals. It was later the same day the Night Owl arrived with four families from another village. Two of them were tied and gagged and two rode with their hands tied. When they got to the counsel fire Night Owl motioned to the ones tied and gagged and the other families helped them down. Night Owl spat, "The village was happy to see them go. Some of the warriors at the village were the ones that tied and gagged to two what wouldn't shut up. First it was threats, and then it was begging. It was enough to make everybody sick, and they all come out to call insults as they left." Fighting Hawk shook his head. "What about the other two families?" Night Owl shook his head. "They aren't much better, but they keep their mouth shut. It's about all that they do. I think that they are even too lazy to feed themselves." Fighting Hawk looked at the first family that wasn't gagged. "You are related to the Beavers here?" He watched as the man nodded his head. Fighting Hawk motioned to the two children and the warriors cut their hands free. Fighting Hawk pitched a knife in front of each of them, "If you want to live, kill your mother and father." Fighting Hawk expected them to protest, but they turned and thrust the knife deep in their belly. The warriors were shocked, but Fighting Hawk motioned to the warriors. "Take them to the same place as Quick Beaver, they will have the same chance as he does." Fighting Hawk watched the smirking warriors lead the children away. Fighting Hawk turned to the next family that wasn't gagged. "You are related to the Beavers here?" The man didn't answer, he just looked at him. Fighting Hawk looked at the woman, "So I will give you the chance that he won't get, are you related to the Beavers here?" The woman looked at her husband and frowned before she said, "He is, but I'm no Beaver." Tom nodded. They had one girl. Fighting Hawk estimated her age at about six or seven. He motioned to the girl and her hands were cut free. Fighting Hawk motioned for her to come to him. She looked suspicious but she went to him. Fighting Hawk took her and sat her on his lap. They started whispering to each other. Nobody could hear what they said, but only her mother seemed to care. After a time Fighting Hawk stood up and put the little girl back on the ground. "Cut the woman free. You can go back to your village, or stay here. I don't care which." Fighting Hawk turned the man, "Do you want to beg for your life?" Fighting Hawk watched him shake his head. Fighting Hawk nodded and his knife flashed across his throat. There was a fountain of blood, a lot of it covering the gagged families. Fighting Hawk motioned to the first gagged family and the warriors cut the gags free. The air was suddenly filled with begging and pleading and threats. Fighting Hawk had a hard time making anything out of it. He held up his hand for silence, but he was ignored. He cut the throat of the man that was flinging threats and insults. He dropped like a stone, and Fighting Hawk held up his hand again. It was instantly quiet. Fighting Hawk looked at the surviving woman and two children. He asked, "Are related to the Beavers here?" The woman seemed to struggle for a minute before she said, "I'm like her, he was the Beaver." Fighting Hawk looked at her and frowned. The children were one boy about ten and one girl about twelve. He called the boy over and whispered to him. The boy looked hard at the girl. Fighting Hawk then called the girl over, "I told the boy that if he could rape you, then I would let him live. If you can stop him then I'll let you live." Fighting Hawk saw the look that she gave the boy. He watched as she quickly picked up a rock and attacked her brother. The boy was ready and kicked her in the stomach. When she folded he didn't stop, but kept kicking her until she was unconscious. Fighting Hawk motioned and the warriors dragged the boy off of the girl. He then turned to the woman, "Do you want a chance to beg for your life?" She looked at the spectacle of her children and quickly nodded. Fighting Hawk cut her hands free and gave her a knife. "Kill the children and I'll let you beg for your life." He watched as she turned on the boy first and stabbed him, she then cut the unconscious girl's throat. Fighting Hawk motioned to the warriors and told them, "She has earned the right to beg for her life. Take her to the others that are begging." Fighting Hawk looked at the last family. He motioned and the warriors cut away the gags. This time there was silence when he raised his hand. He looked at the man, "Are related to the Beavers here?" The man answered quickly, "No, she is Soft Beaver. I'm Night Bird." Fighting Hawk considered this. He looked at the woman and the three children. There were two boys that Fighting Hawk estimated to be over ten, but not yet entering puberty. He thought that they could be late bloomers. The girl looked to be about eight or nine. She definitely had an attitude from the looks she gave him. Fighting Hawk motioned to the two boys and the warriors cut them free. He waved them over and put and arm around each one of them. They walked a little bit away from the others, as Fighting Hawk whispered to them. When they turned back around Fighting Hawk motioned to the girl, and the warriors cut her free. As soon as the girl was free the boys descended like a pack of wild dogs. They had her dress in pieces before she know what was happening. She started fighting for all she was worth, but against two stronger boys she didn't have much of a chance. Fighting Hawk knew what was going to happen and watched the parents, as the boys held her down. The older boy was the first to rape her. None of the warriors made a move to stop them. They watched as first one boy raped the girl and then the other raped her. When they were finished, Fighting Hawk calmly walked over to the girl and asked her if she wanted a knife. When she nodded her head he gave her his own knife, and watched as she attacked the boys. This time they didn't stand a chance. Fighting Hawk retrieved his knife from the panting girl and cut the throat of the man and women. He didn't ask them anything, their actions during the rape and the killing of the boys condemned them. Fighting Hawk asked the girl, "Do you want a chance to beg for your life?" She looked at her parents and then her brothers and shook her head. Fighting Hawk understood and quickly cut her throat as well. The warriors dragged the bodies away. Night Owl sat at his elbow and whispered so that only he could hear, "You have a strange way of determining who lives and who dies." Fighting Hawk smiled, "Did you agree with my decisions, from the actions that you saw?" Night Owl thought for a minute before he said, "Maybe not the girl at the end. She didn't have a choice, she was just the victim." Fighting Hawk shook his head, "If she had refused the knife, I would have let her live." Night Owl suddenly realized that all of them had made a decision in one way or another, and he had based their life on that decision. He suddenly knew that what he was basing his decisions on, was if they chose an honorable choice, or a dishonorable one. Night Owl whispered, "You are a sly dog." Fighting Hawk whispered back, "No, I'm a fox that has been let loose in the hen house. Determining if a Beaver should live is like hunting hens in a henhouse." Night Owl laughed. Some of the warriors looked and wondered what he found so funny. At noon the next day a warrior came running into the village and raced to the counsel fire. "Night Beaver and Slow Beaver are on their way. They should be here in about an hour." Fighting Hawk smiled and looked at the warriors sitting with him at the counsel fire. "It looks like we can finally get the last of the vermin out of our village." When Night Beaver led the small group into the village there wasn't anybody around. It didn't look suspicious since they didn't expect anybody to be out. Night Beaver smiled at the thought of everybody cowering in their lodges, while he stalked the village. It gave him a feeling of power. When they came to the counsel fire Night Beaver saw that it was lit and there was somebody sitting there. He didn't recognize who it was and led the group to that direction. When Fighting Hawk looked up at the arrivals Night Beaver gasped. "What are you doing here? You should be dead." Fighting Hawk smiled, "Now why should I be dead? And just who is brave enough to face me like a man? Would that be you Night Beaver, are you brave enough to face me?" Night Beaver gnashed his teeth together and tried to control his temper. He couldn't figure out why Bright Beaver hadn't already killed this asshole. One of the young men that had been trained by Night Beaver raised his bow. Suddenly there were three arrows sticking out of his chest. The importance was not lost on Night Beaver. He knew that they were all being watched, and the warriors were not afraid to kill. Night Beaver quickly decided that the only way out of this was to face Fighting Hawk. He wasn't worried, he had just spent the last four months living off of the land and teaching the boys how to fight. He was in perfect condition, and he could imagine how soft Fighting Hawk had become living like a white man. "Well Fighting Hawk, it looks like you have warriors that like to kill little boys." Fighting Hawk smiled and evil smile, "Oh no, they don't like to kill little boys. That's my job. I have been killing little boys, little girls, women, old women and men. I haven't neglected anybody. If they were a Beaver, or a friend of a Beaver I have already killed them and hung their stinking body from a tree." Fighting Hawk waved his arm and pointed to the forest. From the counsel fire you could just see the shapes hanging from the trees. Fighting Hawk watched the shocked expression on the faces of the group. "Yes, every Beaver that I could find, even in the other villages. I didn't forget all of your young warriors, and everybody in their lodges. I haven't missed anyone, that I know of. But, if someone comes to mind I can always kill them later. And just so that you know. Every one of these boys mothers are already hanging from those trees." As soon as the words came from his mouth, the boys all raised their bows. Arrows filled the air and they dropped like stones. Night Beaver realized that Fighting Hawk had just narrowed the opposition. There were only two of them now, and he didn't have any idea how many warriors were waiting for them. He began to sweat. "So you are going to drive us from the village?" Fighting Hawk smiled, "Oh no, Night Beaver. That isn't an option for you. One way or the other you and Slow Beaver die here today. I have your places already marked on the tree." Night Beaver believed him and tried to find a way out of it. He turned to Slow Beaver, "Challenge him." Slow Beaver didn't fear anything, probably because he was too stupid to fear anything. He was not the thinker of the family, and he had been given his orders. He stood up proudly and challenged Fighting Hawk. Fighting Hawk smiled. He had hoped to get Night Beaver first, but there were advantages in doing things this way. Fighting Hawk moved away from the counsel fire and took his knife in his hand. He turned to face Slow Beaver, "You ready?" Slow Beaver was confused at the question, it wasn't normal to ask if a person was ready. He nodded and slowly advanced. Fighting Hawk pitched his knife to his left hand and noticed that Slow Beaver actually moved his head as he watched the knife. He quickly passed it back to his right hand and his head tracked the movement. He had an idea and wondered if it would work. Quickly he started moving the knife back and forth, from hand to hand. Slow Beaver kept watching the knife and slowly moving forward. When he was close enough to strike, Fighting Hawk pitched the knife to his left hand and then quickly raised it over his head. Slow Beaver looked up at the knife and Fighting Hawk hit him in the throat with his fist. Slow Beaver dropped his knife and grabbed his throat. Fighting Hawk quickly thrust his knife into his stomach and up toward his heart. Suddenly he felt a band of steel around his neck and realized that Slow Beaver had grabbed him around the neck. He had already pierced his heart and there wasn't much else that he could do, but wait for him to die. He wondered if he would die first of a broken neck. Fighting Hawk pulled his knife from Slow Beaver's stomach and took it in both hands, and thrust it straight into his neck. He pushed it against the bones at the back of the neck and started twisting it back and forth as he kept pushing forward. Suddenly Slow Beaver's hands fell away and he fell backwards, taking Fighting Hawk's knife with him. Fighting Hawk choked and sputtered as he rubbed his neck. He knew that he was going to have some real serious bruising. He stepped over the body and worked his knife free of the bones, and pulled it from his neck. He wiped it on Slow Beaver and turned to see Night Beaver standing perfectly still with his knife in his hand. Fighting Hawk smiled at Storm Cloud standing behind him. Fighting Hawk said, "Well Night Beaver, do you want to challenge me now?" Night Beaver growled as he realized that nothing had gone right since they entered the village. It was obvious that he was lucky, and just as obvious that he wasn't as soft as he had thought. Fighting Hawk watched as Storm Cloud leaned forward and whispered in his ear. He couldn't hear what he said, but it made Night Beaver tremble with rage. He watched as Night Beaver suddenly turned and challenged Storm Cloud. Fighting Hawk was stunned at the outcome. He had worked hard to provoke Night Beaver, and here Storm Cloud got the challenge. He was a little miffed at the way things had turned out. Fighting Hawk moved back away, and let them have the room to fight. He motioned to the warriors and had them all step out of hiding. They made no pretense on having their arrows notched and ready, if there were any dishonorable moves. Fighting Hawk was surprised when Storm Cloud pitched his knife to him, and faced Night Beaver's knife empty handed. Fighting Hawk frowned and wondered what Storm Cloud was up to. Night Beaver grinned at the unarmed warrior and approached confidently. On his first thrust Storm Cloud Grabbed his wrist and twisted, his knife dropped to the ground where Storm Cloud kicked it away. The warriors watched as Storm Cloud held his wrist and kicked him in the stomach. They watched as he then twisted his arm and then hit it. The unmistakable sound of breaking bone came to everybody's ears. Fighting Hawk smiled when he realized that Storm Cloud had learned something from Ming and Ping, probably in self-defense. Fighting Hawk quickly looked around and found one of the young warriors present when he had asked question of the Beaver's warriors. He motioned him over, "Go get my women and bring them here, and on the way, tell them what the warrior said about my daughter." Fighting Hawk saw him nod and take off at a run. He suspected that he didn't want to miss any of the fight. Fighting Hawk turned back in time to see Storm Cloud grab Night Beaver by the neck, and knew that he was about to break it. "Storm Cloud, don't do it." Storm Cloud looked at Fighting Hawk, surprised by the order but nodded his head. Fighting Hawk saw his women arrive from the corner of his eye. He spoke just loud enough for Storm Cloud to hear him, "He is the one that killed my daughter. Don't kill him quick, hurt him for as long as you can keep him alive." Storm Cloud face contorted with rage, and the sound of more breaking bones could be heard. Fighting Hawk smiled at the sound. Night Beaver had given up acting brave and screamed with each new pain inflicted. During the next twenty minutes, even the most hardened warrior started feeling sick as he watched Storm Cloud inflicting one pain after another. Fighting Hawk spoke just loud enough to carry to Storm Cloud, "The worst insult that you could inflict on him now, would be to give him to the women. My women are right behind you, and I'm sure that they would be honored to finish what you have begun." He saw Storm Cloud smile as he grabbed him by the hair and drag him over to Fighting Hawk's women. Storm Cloud looked at the angry faces of the women as he stood holding Night Beaver's slumped body by his hair. "I grow bored punishing this thing for the crimes that he has committed against my friend. Would you like to have what is left of it?" Before they could eagerly answer Storm Cloud continued, "You will have to be careful, both of his arms are broken and many of his ribs. You wouldn't want him bleeding to death, even inside." They nodded that they understood and took the whimpering man from him. Fighting Hawk noticed that they were all smiling as they dragged him away. Fighting Hawk almost felt sorry for him, but he just couldn't manage it. When Storm Cloud got to Fighting Hawk he handed him his knife. Both men smiled to each other before Fighting Hawk asked, "What did you tell him that made him challenge you?" Storm Cloud actually blushed before he looked around to make sure that everybody was well out of hearing range. "I told him that I had raped his mother, and his sister was better, but neither could hold a candle to his brother." Fighting Hawk almost choked at the insult, and decided that he would have to remember that in the future. They smiled and went to sit at the counsel fire. Fighting Hawk noticed that the bodies of the boys, and Slow Beaver had been taken away. They sat and rested as they talked about the events of the last few days. Fighting Hawk filled in Storm Cloud on what he had missed. ------- Chapter 67 The sounds of Night Beaver's screams continued the rest of the day and most of the night. Then it was just an occasional scream that woke you up and made it hard to get back to sleep. You could still hear his screams occasionally when Walking Buffalo came riding in, leading what looked like half of a Cheyenne village. The young warriors were quick to make their presence known as the group approached Fighting Hawk at the counsel fire. Walking Buffalo smiled and took a seat in the second circle. "Fighting Hawk, most of these good people come to protest the taking of Happy Beaver, and his family. They also helped to provide security for the other six families that I brought back." Fighting Hawk looked hard at Walking Buffalo, "Why do you have so many?" Walking Buffalo grinned shyly, "Well at the first village there weren't any Beavers, so I moved on to the next village. There I found Happy Beaver, and the people objected to my taking him. I said that I was acting in the name of Fighting Hawk, and even the village elder backed down, but these people still wanted to protest, so they came along with me. The last village was on the way back, so I stopped and found five Beaver families. The village was happy to see them go, as they were doing the same things there that our Beavers were doing here. The extra people made the difference in getting them here." Fighting Hawk knew that the visitors were watching him closely. Fighting Hawk considered the best course of action for a minute before turning to the visiting Cheyenne people. "I welcome you to the counsel fire of the Cheyenne people. Who is your leader here?" Fighting Hawk watched as they quickly looked around among themselves. An older man stepped forward and nodded once, "I am long Knife, I guess that I am responsible for these people." Fighting Hawk gave a slight bow and waved a hand to the fire. "Sit and talk with me. Your people are welcome to stay and hear what we say." It was a statement that everything was being handled upfront and honest. Long Knife was careful to sit in the second circle, but in the place reserved for visiting leaders, Fighting Hawk nodded as he sat again. "The village has been having some trouble with the Beavers. It has been going on for some time. When I arrived I saw the results of their work, and decided it couldn't continue. I cleaned up the village, but like any problem you can't clean half and think that it is finished. I ordered every person, and their family, related to these Beavers to be brought to me. If I determine them to be dishonorable people, I kill them where they stand." Fighting Hawk looked at Long Knife and waited for him to respond. He was slow and thoughtful as he spoke, "Fighting Hawk was a great War Chief of the Cheyenne people. I went on one raid led by Fighting Hawk; I have never seen a better leader. When Fighting Hawk became the Spirit Walker, our Shaman told us the stories of the Spirit Walker. We could see Fighting Hawk in his words. The telling of your spirit journey filled our Shaman with fear and wonder. He said that Fighting Hawk was truly the Spirit Walker." He cleared his throat, "Since then we have heard nothing of Fighting Hawk. Dark times descended on the Cheyenne people and the Shaman told us to watch our lodges. Fight immediately any that challenged our ways, or our beliefs. Many were challenged and they died or fled. Our village is strong, but this village lost her Shaman and the Spirit Walker was doing important business as the legends foretold. The village was in trouble, but there was nobody to help her. When Walking Buffalo said that Fighting Hawk had returned, we knew that you were healing the village. We will follow the words of Fighting Hawk, even to our graves, but we will still protest when he calls for one of ours." Fighting Hawk smiled. It was as much posturing, ass kissing and defiance as any senator on Capitol Hill could be proud of. It said much and told you little. It sounded important, but was all empty air. Fighting Hawk stared into the fire and spoke softly, "I think that I understand what you're saying. You respected who I was, and now you don't know if I am still the same person. You wanted to come here and see if I still held the warriors in my grasp. If I don't, you'll defy my order and fight to keep your man. If I do, you'll back down and kiss my ass. All the time telling me how much you respect me, like a bunch of cowards." Fighting Hawks voice rose and his hard eyes bored into Long Knife. "Look around Long Knife, and see the warriors. Are you ready to die now?" Long Knife could tell looking into his eyes that they had made a mistake. The raw power of this man could almost be felt with your hands. He couldn't hold his eyes and looked down at the ground. "I'm sorry Fighting Hawk, we had to be sure." Fighting Hawk took his knife in his hand. He heard the assembled people gasp, and as he had done once before in his life, he slammed his knife down into the hard ground and buried it to the hilt. Using the knife for leverage he leaned forward and stared into the eyes of Long Knife, "You aren't enough man to sit at the counsel fire. Get out of my sight, and bring me that Beaver that you love so much. Long Knife was quick to move away from the Counsel fire and even though he knew that it made him look bad, he didn't think twice of disobeying. He returned a few minutes later with a man in his early twenties and his family. Fighting Hawk noticed that they weren't tied or gagged. He looked them all over. The woman was a few years younger than the man. The two children, one boy and one girl looked to be about three or four years old. He knew that the children would survive as they wouldn't have had the time to contaminate them yet. Fighting Hawk looked at the man, "Are you a Beaver, related to the ones here?" The man looked at him without looking away. He nodded his head, "Yes, unfortunately." Fighting Hawk heard something in his voice, and looked closer." About that time Night Beaver's scream burst through the village. There were many hands dropping to their knives, but the man never reacted and continued to look into Fighting Hawk's eyes. Fighting Hawk looked at the woman. "If you kill the children, I'll let you live." He heard the gasp of the people and watched as her eyes hardened, "I would rather kill them myself than let you kill them, but I won't do it to save my own life." Fighting Hawk nodded to her, and turned his attention back to the man, "Do you want a chance to beg for your life?" The man snorted, "I would never beg to live. I would beg for my family, but never for myself." Fighting Hawk nodded. He stood and called for Big Owl. Word moved through the village and in only a few minutes Big Owl strode up to the Counsel fire. He stopped and waited for Fighting Hawk to speak. Fighting Hawk spoke so softly that even Big Owl had a hard time hearing him. "I want you to challenge this Beaver." Big Owl was surprised and it showed on his face. He couldn't imagine what his father was up to, but he knew better than to ask, especially with all of the warriors present. He turned and issued the challenge. To say that Happy Beaver was surprised would be an understatement. But he accepted. Big Owl went to retrieve the wooden knives. Word spread through the village and they cleared an area for the fight. Fighting Hawk watched the man limber up and prepare himself. He also watched the woman fret for her husband. When Big Owl was back he pitched the first knife to the man, and he caught it easily. He then pitched the other and he caught it with his other hand. He examined both knives and pitched the first back. Fighting Hawk watched as they circled, lunged, slashed and parried each other's blow. It went on for a long time without either one getting an advantage. They were both dripping with sweat and Big Owl lunged and got a good cut on the Beaver's side, but he also opened his defenses on his back. Fighting Hawk watched as the Beaver made a quick slash across his back. They each rubbed the cut and continued circling. Fighting Hawk called the match and both contestants stopped where they were and dropped their knives. Fighting Hawk nodded to both men and they moved back to their places. He turned and looked at the man again, "What would you say if I told you that no matter what happened here today, Happy Beaver would die along with his family?" Fighting Hawk watched as Happy Beaver shrugged, "It is a curse that has followed me my whole life. I'm not proud of the people I came from, but there isn't much you can do about who your parents are." Fighting Hawk looked at the Woman, "Who is she?" He saw Happy Beaver stiffen. "She is my wife, Little Feather." Fighting Hawk noticed the soft look in his eyes as he ran a finger across her face. He also noticed that she leaned into the caress. "She was a captive, wasn't she? What kind of warrior marries a captive?" He watched as both of them stiffened and turned their attention on him. "Yes, she was a captive, but I married her because I love her. If that makes me less of a warrior, then I am less of a warrior, I don't care what others think. When you carry a name like Beaver, they can't think any less of you." Fighting Hawk nodded that he agreed. "And who are the boys?" Happy Beaver put his hand on the older boy, "This is Little Hunter. He is already a good little hunter, but one day I think that he will be a great hunter." He stopped and looked at the boy and realized that he might not grow to be any hunter. Fighting Hawk saw the tears in his eyes. "And the other one?"Happy Beaver moved his hand to the head of the smaller boy. "This is Whispering Wind. Since the day he was born he seems to hear things in the wind." Fighting Hawk nodded and stood up. He spoke loud enough for his voice to carry to all of the people assembled. "Happy Beaver is dead." Fighting Hawk turned and held out his hand. It was obvious that Happy Beaver was being offered the chance to shake hands and he was confused, but he saw no reason not to do it. He reached and shook his hand. Fighting Hawk gripped his hand like a bear trap and Happy Beaver wondered if he was about to get a knife in the belly. He was stunned when he heard Fighting Hawk say, "This is now Dark Wolf. I have named him as the spirits have told me. He is an honorable man, and deserves an honorable name." As Fighting Hawk released his hand Dark Wolf sat stunned at what had just happened. Not even a Chief could change a name, but a Shaman could, if you could find one that would do it. The Spirit Walker could do just about anything that he wanted. He suddenly turned and grabbed Little Feather and hugged her to him. She looked at Fighting Hawk, "Does that mean that you're not going to kill him?" Fighting Hawk smiled at her, "Yes, that means that I'm not going to kill any of you. You can but your knife back in its sheath now." She blushed as she quickly put her skinning knife back in her sheath and hugged her husband." Fighting Hawk motioned to the warriors and the first of the tied and gagged Beavers were brought before them. When the gag was cut he started to bluster and threaten. Fighting Hawk was bored before he even got started. He looked at the woman with him. "If you put a knife in his back I will let you beg for your life." There wasn't a moment's hesitation as she plunged a knife in his back. Fighting Hawk was happy that it stopped the noise coming from his mouth. He turned and nodded to a warrior, and she was led off. Dark Wolf stared at the spectacle, "Why would she do something like that?" His wife looked equally confused. Fighting Hawk looked at them. "That is only the first. You will see and hear things that you would never believe. Wait, watch and listen. See what is offered, and what they will do. See the truth behind the words and the actions." He then nodded and the next family was brought forward. Their gags were cut and they stood quietly and waited. Fighting Hawk asked, "Are you related to the Beavers here?" The man nodded his head, but the woman shook hers. Fighting Hawk looked at the three small children; two girls and a little boy. The oldest girl looked to be about six. He called her over and pulled her into his lap. They talked in whispers and Fighting Hawk laughed and tickled the girl. After a time Fighting Hawk put the girl down, and spoke to the mother, "I will allow your children to live if you kill your husband." She looked stricken, "I couldn't do something like that." Fighting Hawk nodded that he understood and turned his attention t the man, "I will allow you to beg for your life, if you kill your wife." The man held out his hands and a warrior cut his ropes. When they didn't offer him a knife he turned and choked her to death. Fighting Hawk nodded and told them to take him to beg for his life. Fighting Hawk turned to find Water Lilly and Gray Eagle watching him. He blushed as he got up and went to help Gray Eagle to sit at the fire. He whispered, "Father, you shouldn't be here. When this is over I will answer for what I have done. You don't want to be involved, let this be my shame alone." Gray Eagle snorted, "You will answer to me, and I will see what you are doing." Fighting Hawk nodded his acceptance. Gray Eagle looked around and found Big Owl, "Bring the War Chief." Big Owl was gone before people could get out of his way. Fighting Hawk sat back in his place. It was to Gray Eagle's right. Big Cloud was walking slow, but without help. He was wearing his festival vest and his headdress. He sat at Fighting Hawk's right. Fighting Hawk looked at Water Lilly and motioned to the three children. She nodded and went to hustle them off. Gray Eagle spoke loudly and clearly, "If we will be judging his actions we should see them for ourselves." Big Cloud nodded that he agreed. Fighting Hawk motioned for the next family to be brought forward. Fighting Hawk saw a man and a woman with two boys easily old enough to be named. Fighting Hawk looked at the man and they cut his gag away. He looked around the counsel fire, "You don't have any right to do this. We haven't done anything wrong." Fighting Hawk looked at the woman and motioned that her gag be released. She didn't say a thing, and Fighting Hawk knew that she was the brains of this family. "Who are you?" She grinned as she answered, "I'm Wet Beaver." Fighting Hawk thought that slippery beaver would be closer to the truth. Fighting Hawk motioned to the warriors and two of them stepped up and cut the hands of the two boys. They then put a knife to their throats. Fighting Hawk noticed that Wet Beaver didn't seem the least bit concerned. He turned to the boys, "If you manage to rape your mother, I will allow you to beg for your life, if you fail I will kill you now." When the warriors let them go they were on her faster than bears to honey. Fighting Hawk realized that she didn't fight at all, and they seemed to know their way around her body like old friends. He knew that this wasn't the first time that they had been between her legs. He thought it strange that the man found something else to look at and pretend that it wasn't happening. Fighting Hawk noticed that the women seemed embarrassed, and the men were disgusted. When the boys were finished Fighting Hawk looked at the man, "If you want to beg for your life, you have to kill your wife." He was given a knife and he just stared at it. Then he suddenly turned and thrust it in her chest. The shocked look on her face was worth watching the whole disgusting thing. Fighting hawk watched him stab her not once but more than twenty times. He allowed him to continue until he stopped and dropped the knife. Fighting Hawk motioned to the warriors and they led them off. Gray Eagle whispered, "Why are you allowing them to beg for their lives?" Fighting Hawk whispered back, "It isn't what it sounds like. They don't have a chance of ever getting free." Gray Eagle nodded and continued to watch. The next family came quietly and Fighting Hawk wondered if they were Beavers. There were two kids, one boy about ten and a Girl about eleven or twelve. The woman as neat and clean and the man met everybody's eyes. When the gags were removed they stood and looked at everybody, and it was obvious that they were daring anybody to accuse them of anything. Fighting Hawk leaned forward, "Are you related to the Beavers here?" The man turned his superior attitude on them, "And what if we are? You have no right to take us from our lodges. When Night Beaver hears of this you will be made to answer for this." Fighting Hawk smiled and turned to one of the young warriors. "Take him to Night Beaver, and let him lodge his complaints on how he has been treated. Then bring him back here." The warrior grinned and quickly pulled him away. Fighting Hawk turned his attention on the women, "I might be in the mood for a slave, are you interested?" She snorted her contempt and Fighting Hawk laughed. He then turned to the girl, "What about you sweetheart? Would you like to be my slave? I'll have lots of warriors to keep you happy." Fighting Hawk watched the horror cross her face when she realized what he was offering. She quickly followed her mother's example and snorted her contempt. Fighting Hawk was still laughing when the man was led back. He didn't look very good. It almost looked like he had been sick. He quickly told the others what he had seen. Fighting Hawk looked at the girl again, "Still not interested in the slave position? The other choice is death. The girl was shaking and crying but she wasn't saying no. He looked at the woman, "Same offer. I'll make you a slave and put you on a post for the whole village to use, or I'll kill you. What do you want?" The woman shivered before she said, "Slave." Fighting Hawk looked at the girl and she nodded her head that she agreed. He smiled and then he said, "You turned me down at first. You might not make a good slave. I think that you will have to prove to me that you are worthy of being a slave. Fighting Hawk motioned and all of them were cut loose. He nodded and the two women were given a knife. "If you two can manage to kill the men, I will take you as a slave. If you fail, I will let the men beg for their lives." It was a pretty heated battle, with more scratching, biting, kicking and back stabbing than a Washington dinner party. The girl took out the boy pretty quickly, and then she turned to help her mother. It was the only reason that her mother lived. She was an expert at slipping around and thrusting in the back. It was definitely her preferred method. Her mother wasn't much better, but she managed to keep the man busy while her daughter got into position. He got a few good shots in on both of them, but in the end they bled him out. Fighting Hawk ordered, "Put each of them on a post, face to face, in the middle of the village. The person that sets them free, takes their place, man or woman it doesn't matter." He motioned and the last couple was brought to him. They were young. He was probably named at the last festival, and she was pregnant. He ordered them both freed. When the gag came out she started begging for her baby. Fighting Hawk looked at the boy. "Kill her and I will let you beg for your life." A knife was pitched at his feet. He picked it up and looked at it. He suddenly turned and she started begging him not to kill their child. He plunged the knife deep in her stomach and she screamed. Fighting Hawk sadly shook his head. He had hoped that this one would be different. He looked at the boy, "You earned the right to beg for your life." Fighting Hawk saw what he was going to do before he did it. He saw him flip the knife over and drew back to throw it. Fighting Hawk called out, "Hold. Don't shoot." He knew that Gray Eagle was behind him, and he couldn't move fast enough to save his own life. Fighting Hawk waited for the knife. He saw where it was going and raised his hand. The knife went into his hand up to the hilt. Fighting Hawk slowly lowered his hand with the knife sticking through it. He looked at the stunned expression on the boy's face. "You have forfeited your chance to live. Take him to my women. Tell them everything that he has done, and tell them that he belongs to them." The boy screamed, "I'm a warrior, I have the right to die quickly." As four warriors grabbed him, they marched him off toward Fighting Hawk's lodge. Fighting Hawk sat at the counsel fire. He slowly pulled the knife back through his hand. Gray Eagle spoke, "Why didn't you dodge that?" Fighting Hawk smiled, "Because you were sitting behind me, and you couldn't dodge. I would rather have a knife in my hand, than have mother on my ass about you getting hurt again." They laughed at the thought, but Gray Eagle knew that he was telling the truth, and he knew that Water Lilly would have done it, too. Fighting Hawk turned to Dark Wolf, "So you have seen how I tested each of them, would you have done any different?" Dark Wolf looked haunted. "I never thought that anybody would do those things. That boy killed his own baby, just to save his own life." Little Feather suddenly spoke, "You though that we were like that. That's why you offered me my life, if I would kill my own children." She shivered as she watched Fighting Hawk nod his head. She suddenly understood a lot more about this man. He was hard, but she saw that he tried to be fair. She knew that each of them had been given a choice, and they had failed the test. She suddenly thought, "Why did you give them a chance to live? I mean, to beg for their life, is a chance." Fighting Hawk smiled and said, "It does sound like a chance, but it isn't really as much of a chance as it sounds." Fighting Hawk motioned to a warrior, "Take them to see the ones begging for their lives." Gray Eagle stood and said the he was coming too. Big Cloud also said that he wanted to go. Fighting Hawk motioned and a small wall of warriors followed them. Fighting Hawk looked at Long Knife, "You are welcome in the village, as long as you don't cause any trouble." Long knife nodded his head and motioned for his people to follow him. Fighting Hawk stood and walked toward his lodge. It had been a long time since he had been there and it seemed to be calling him. The same young warrior that he had sent to get his women walked beside him. "Your women have Night Beaver on the skinning rack. There isn't much left of him, but he still lives. All night there was a steady flow of women to your lodge. I think that Night Beaver had more enemies than he knew. I didn't want you to walk into that without a warning." Fighting Hawk nodded his thanks and the warrior moved away to his own business. Fighting Hawk's women were happy to see him. Each of them lined up to kiss him. There was a lot of hugging but they each moved away quickly so the next could have a turn. Raven was the last. She whispered in his ear, in perfect Cheyenne, "I am glad that my master is back, my ass hasn't hurt since you left." Fighting Hawk looked at his injured hand and grinned, "It will have to wait." They both laughed. Kelly came to him, "That animal killed my daughter, and I thank you for his life." Fighting Hawk slowly shook his head, "No, he killed our daughter." Kelly looked into his serious face and started to cry as she hugged him, "Yes husband, our daughter." She then turned and ran out of the lodge. Moon Flower came to him, "That was very nice of you. She didn't believe when I told her that you would see the girl as your own. She still doesn't understand everything about us yet, but she understands revenge. Night Beaver will live for many more days, before she kills him." Fighting Hawk nodded. Moon Flower took his hand and checked out the damage. She hissed as she got water and herbs to put on the wound. "I am glad that you sent the boy to us. For hurting you we will make him sorry that he was born." Fighting Hawk sighed, "He killed his wife and unborn child to save his own life. That is a much worse reason to make him sorry." Moon Flower smiled when she said, "After he is sorry that he hurt 'our man' then we can make him sorry that he killed his wife, and then we can make him sorry that he killed his child. He has much to be sorry for." Fighting Hawk nodded his head, and he was glad that he wasn't that young man. ------- Chapter 68 Three days Later Fighting Hawk watched Night Beaver breathe his last. Most of the women of the village were on hand for the event. Most of the women carried a piece of his manhood, and Kelly had tanned his ball-sack and wore it around her neck as a pouch. The other women were envious. Fighting Hawk was a little disgusted, but he couldn't blame her. Over the next week Fighting Hawk got to know his women again, and his children. Moon Flower had given him a boy that she named Little Hawk. Sara gave him girl that she named Morning Mist. The real surprise was Raven and given him a boy that she named Black Hawk. Little Mule had been upset that she hadn't caught, but was trying to make up for it. Pretty Storm also hadn't caught, but she wasn't upset about it. Fighting Hawk was just glad that she was wearing dresses. It was late one evening that Kelly asked the curious question, "Did you do what I asked when you left?' Fighting Hawk saw the curious looks and smiled at the thought that she had never told them what she asked him for. He nodded his head and saw the excitement in her face. He rose from the cook fire and said that he was going to his blankets. He knew that the women would start on Kelly the moment he was out of earshot. He heard the questioning begin even before the lodge flaps closed. It was very late before the women came thundering into the lodge. They wanted to know everything, but he just said, "Sleep now. We will talk tomorrow." They couldn't sleep and kept waking him up. Sometimes they pulled him into their blankets and others they just made him wish that they did. The next morning they were all slow to get out of the blankets. Fighting Hawk had already been hunting and returned with a deer. He was glad Night Beaver was no longer on the skinning rack, as he didn't have another skinning rack, that wasn't in use. He wondered how much longer the boy would last. He was sure that he wasn't sane any longer. He had the deer tied to the skinning rack when Moon Flower struggled out of the lodge. When she saw him shinning the deer she took the knife away from him and sent him to the river to wash. She had the others out of their blankets and put to work in no time. There were a lot of complaints, but she ignored them all. Kelly wasn't complaining, she seemed to be the only one that remembered that today they would get to hear about the women that he had brought back. Once she reminded the other women, they were suddenly wide awake and all thoughts of sleep were gone. When they asked where he had gone Moon Flower growled the she had sent him to the river to wash. They all looked at her and she blushed and admitted that she had forgotten too. Fighting Hawk took his time and even went to visit Gray Eagle with a haunch of deer, that he had set aside. After a respectful cough Water Lilly was out of the lodge and when she saw the haunch of deer she lovingly caressed his cheek. Gray Eagle was slow to sit at the cook fire, but he was moving better. Fighting Hawk cleared his throat, "Father I am here to submit myself for punishment in the killing of the Beavers." Gray Eagle nodded and looked solemn. "Big Cloud and I have been to every lodge in the village. We have talked to all of the warriors. They weren't happy about the women and children being killed, but could see that young pups grow up to be wild dogs too. After talking to all of the village, it is decided that you were the only warrior that did what had to be done, and that they are all ashamed of themselves for not doing it a long time ago. They each expect you to beat them with a stick." Fighting Hawk smiled at the joke. "How about I send my women around to handle the beatings?" Gray Eagle's smile fell from his face, "Don't even joke about things like that. Those women scare all of us." Fighting Hawk knew that he was telling the truth. They scared him a little too. Fighting Hawk took a deep breath, "Father I have to tell you that I brought back four more. They are just as bad, or possibly worse. The other warriors each brought back two, and they aren't any better." Gray Eagle shook his head, "May the Great Spirit protect us from Fighting Hawk's women." Gray Eagle frowned, "What are you going to do with ten women?" Fighting Hawk grinned, "The same thing that I do with six, but it'll take me longer." They heard a distinct giggle coming from the lodge and Gray Eagle frowned, and Fighting Hawk laughed. Gray Eagle looked at Fighting Hawk, "The Beavers managed to ruin most of what you were doing in the valley, Do you think that you can get it going again?" Fighting Hawk smiled, "Of course we can, as long as the people haven't given up on it. Tell the people that want to move back to the valley that it is waiting for them and everything will be like it was before. But it will be better. Night Owl has brought so many seeds of different things that I'm not sure that he even knows what he has, but he's excited about it." Gray Eagle smiled and nodded his head. Fighting Hawk went to face his women. When they saw him coming they all waited expectantly, except for little Mule. She took off at a run and almost knocked him over when she jumped on him. Fighting Hawk laughed and swung her around. It felt good to be home. The women quickly cornered him and wanted to know about the new women in his life. Fighting Hawk smiled at them. "Well, let me see there are two Chinese girls and one with brown hair and big tits and one that is blonde with a waist so small that even you could wrap your hands around her waist." He watched the women looking at each other and making eyes. Kelly had a frown, "I heard things about Chinese girls in Kansas City." Fighting Hawk shook his head, "And tell me, what did you hear about Indians in Kansas City?" Kelly blushed and giggled, "I guess that I just made a fool out of myself, didn't I?" Fighting Hawk grinned and nodded. It was Moon Flower that said, "We will get some sticks and have them trained in no time." Fighting Hawk shook his head, "I don't think that I would do that, if I were you. Any of them could take that stick away from you and make you wish that you had staying in your blankets that day. I imagine that any of them could take on any warrior in the village and win." The women all looked at him like he had lost his mind, but he just nodded his head. Moon Flower spoke slowly, "So we had better be nice to them." Fighting Hawk smiled, "Well, that, or you had better learn to fight like they do. Storm Cloud's women taught him to fight the way that he beat Night Beaver. Besides I don't think that you will ever want them mad at you. They know how to torture a person better than any warrior I ever met." Fighting Hawk noticed that he had Moon Flower's undivided attention. "What did they do, that was so special?" Fighting Hawk grinned at her, "You just want me to tell you, so that you can go outside and use it on the boy you have out there." Moon Flower smiled and nodded her head, "When you learn something new, it's always good to try it out." Fighting Hawk looked around and pulled Moon Flower into his lap, and whispered in her ear. The others watched as her eyes got big and she shivered. Then she looked at him and asked if it was really true, and he nodded his head. She quickly ran to her sewing things and was out the lodge flaps so fast that they didn't even hit her ass on the way out. The other women looked at each other and Pretty Storm and Kelly were hot after her. Tom Looked at Little Mule, Sara and Raven as they looked back at him. "Tell us the rest. Tell us the secret things that make them love you, and what you do with them." Fighting Hawk smiled and shook his head. "Well, Jess is the little blonde with the tiny waist, and she has a love button bigger than Sara." He watched as Sara's eyes got big. He could see the she didn't believe it, and he held his fingers apart and watched as all of them gasped. He looked at Raven and said, "And she loves to have her ass spanked hard. If you are nice to her, maybe you two could spank each other." He watched as Raven shivered and he thought that she might have come. Fighting Hawk then said, "And the little Chinese dolls are a lot tougher than they look. Su enjoys a good tumble, but Mei likes to get excited. Her pussy doesn't just get wet, but it drools her cream all the way down her legs, and she doesn't clean it off until it gets in her shoes." Little Mule was panting when she said, "Okay, stop! I was wrong. Don't tell us anymore. I already want to meet them so bad that my pussy is drooling, and you aren't making it any better." The other girls were nodding their heads in agreement. Fighting Hawk just shrugged his shoulders and sat watching the girls getting themselves even more worked up when they heard the scream coming from the boy on the skinning rack. It was different from the other screams, and the girls looked at each other and decided to see what was happening. They quickly left him sitting in the lodge all alone. The boy lasted another three days, and each thing that Fighting Hawk whispered in Moon Flower's ear caused him new torment. Fighting Hawk was surprised that he held on for those three days. All of his women were trying out all of the new methods, and even thinking up some new ones that differed slightly. By the end of the second week he could hold his bow in his left hand again, and pull the string to the full extension. His hand still hurt, but he could use it for the important things. He looked at his women and said that he was moving back to the valley, and wanted to see his other women. There was a flurry of activity and they were ready to go almost before he was. Raven shoved Black Hawk in his arms and told him to carry their son. He didn't mind in the least and set out with the laughing boy. Not that a one year old knows much of what is going on, but he seemed to like the travel. When they got to the house Fighting Hawk found that the other warriors had already moved their women out of the house and it was just Fighting Hawk's women left there. They were a little unsure of the other women that descended on them. Poor Jess didn't stand a chance, Raven and Sara both grabbed a hand and dragged her out of the room. The other women looked confused, but Little Mule knew why they wanted her. She was the same with the two Chinese women. She didn't even wait for an introduction before she had their hands and started pulling them to follow her. She led them into the same bedroom that Sara and Raven had Jess stripped in. Mei and Su saw firsthand why they were being pulled in to the room, and they didn't mind at all. As a matter of fact they had their clothes off before Little Mule could drop her deerskin dress. Moon Flower was curious and went to see what was going on and gasped at the two sets of double teams going on. She really wanted to join in, but knew that Fighting Hawk and the other women might provide some measure of entertainment. The big breasted Janet also had her attention, but she wasn't alone in that, Pretty Storm also wanted to get her hands on the ripe melons. Fighting Hawk watched the activities with amusement and was happy that Kelly wanted some of his attention. They found a place close to the others and Fighting Hawk gave her something that she had been ignoring since Night Beaver had fallen into their hands. She was now making up for lost time. After Fighting Hawk rolled off of her Janet broke from her little group and quickly dove between Kelly's legs. She groaned her disappointment at the intrusion. She loved to bask in the afterglow and feel her man's cream dribble out of her slowly. Once Janet got as much as she could she taught Moon Flower a new game. Moon Flower was surprised when the taste hit her, but she wasn't unused to it. Janet whispered in her ear, "Pass it to Pretty Storm, you get to keep what you can't pass." They passed it between them, even including Kelly. They all loved the new game, and Kelly even forgave Janet for playing bandit, as long as she promised to share in the future. The people moved back to the valley and started work again. Night Owl showed then the new seeds and they planted other things besides corn, and wheat. The cattle situation was more of a problem since the Beavers used the cattle herd as their own personal hunting ground. Fighting Hawk thought that it would take another year to recover to the point that they were at two years ago. Walking Buffalo volunteered to travel to Kansas City and bring back cattle. With some help he figured that he could be there and back in a little over two months. Fighting Hawk suggested that they leave after the summer festival. Everybody quickly fell into the jobs that they had been doing before the trouble began. They were happy again and it showed in the things that they did and the way they treated each other. Fighting Hawk made the rounds and let everybody see him. They all wanted to talk to him and thank him. He accepted the praise good-naturedly, but knew that it was only because he did what was right, regardless of the cost. Sumner festival attracted people from all of the villages. Word had spread that Fighting Hawk was back and everyone wanted to see him. All of the old warriors could hold their heads up again and were proud of the work that they did for the village. Gray Eagle and Big Cloud were almost back to their old selves. They had healed well and were moving free of pain. A record number of Shamans attended the festival. All of them wanted private time with the Spirit Walker. Fighting Hawk did what he could, but had to hold group meetings more often. It turned out that it worked better since most of them had the same questions. A different question was eagerly listened to, since it usually meant that they forgotten something that they would have liked to ask. After two days of being locked in the spirit lodge with five Shamans and nine apprentices Fighting Hawk found that he reached the end of his patience. They quickly realized that he still had a lot of things on his mind, and graciously let him enjoy the festival. The Shamans appreciated every minute that they could get with him. There weren't too many young warriors to be named that summer, but Fighting Hawk accepted the blame for that. He said that he would rather have one good warrior then ten bad ones. There were no disagreements to that. The young Maidens were a little depressed with the lack of suitable warriors, but since all of them secretly dreamed of being with Fighting Hawk they didn't make too much of a fuss, as long as he let them flirt with him. ------- Chapter 69: Birds of a Feather After summer festival Walking Buffalo took six men and left to buy cattle. The work in the valley continued with determination. Fighting Hawk asked Storm Cloud if he would like to take a little trip with him and he nodded. After Fighting Hawk discussed his idea with Gray Eagle, he gave his permission, as long as Fighting Hawk handled the negotiations. He nodded that he would. Fighting Hawk talked to Big Owl and Big Cloud and they both agreed to go, along with six of the young warriors. Since Fighting Hawks return they were almost always under foot and Fighting Hawk thought that Big Cloud had something to do with it. It was early in the morning when they set out. They traveled for a week before they entered the Ute village. Fighting Hawk noticed that it was looking a little run down. Some of the warriors were even looking a little thin. Fighting Hawk couldn't understand that with the forest almost overrun with wildlife. When they arrived Fighting Hawk remembered the young warrior that he sent back to the village. He was quickly standing before Fighting Hawk. He led them to the Counsel fire. When they arrived Fighting Hawk motioned to the warriors and they spread out and tried to look disinterested. Fighting Hawk, Big Cloud and Storm Cloud sat at the counsel fire with the Chief, War Chief and the Shaman. Fighting Hawk marveled at the similarities between the two people. The War Chief was the old man that had come to pay the ransom, he spoke first. "Did you come to see the destruction that you have caused?" Fighting Hawk looked the old man in the eye, "No, I knew when I demanded the ransom what I was causing, and what the end result would be. The fact that you are still here, says that you have done well. But it is only a matter of time, unless something changes." Fighting Hawk could see the anger in his face. The Chief held up his hand and the assembled warriors calmed themselves. "Why would you do that?" Fighting Hawk sighed, "When you attacked the Cheyenne, it was obvious that we couldn't allow the Utes to grow any stronger. You attacked us because the wagon trains had moved south, and the Army was protecting the settlers. We were the obvious choice, and we would continue to be the obvious choice. If we didn't stop it, you would have destroyed the Cheyenne people. Did you consider that when you planned your raid? Did you think about what it would do to our people to lose so many women? Did you care?" Fighting Hawk saw the truth in their eyes, and smiled, "And you accuse me of destroying your people, just like you had planned to destroy us." None of them would look in his eyes as he accused them of their plan. "But this is not what I came to talk about. Instead of looking to the past, you have to look to the future, if you want to survive." The Chief looked at him and considered his words. The War Chief huffed and growled, "Nice words, but what can we do now?" Fighting Hawk looked at the three men and explained what he had in mind. "The Ute will die from these mountains, that can't be changed. But I can offer you another choice. I can offer to take all of you in as a Cheyenne village. You can grow strong as the Cheyenne people grow strong. You can trade for what you need, with the other villages and you will be protected as the other Cheyenne villages are protected." The War Chief growled, "Enough! First you cripple us, and now you try to take the last thing of value; our honor. I should kill you where you sit." Fighting Hawk smiled, "If you think that you can old man, I will accept your challenge gladly. It will just be one less fool to deal with." The next words that Fighting Hawk heard were a surprise, not because of the words, but who said them. The Shaman spoke loudly, "Enough! You are both acting like dogs fighting over a bone. The bone is old and is of no value to either, but still they fight. I had hoped better from both of you." Fighting Hawk had to admit that the attitude of the War Chief was affecting him. He wasn't used to backing down, and he wouldn't start now, but negotiations were another matter and that was a situation of give and take. He had to accept that he would have to give a little. "The Shaman is right, I apologize for my words. We can't discuss things fighting with each other." The War Chief grudgingly nodded that he agreed. Fighting Hawk turned to the Shaman, "What would you recommend wise one?" Fighting Hawk meant no disrespect and the Shaman seemed to understand that. The old man took a deep sigh and spoke, "Our legends also speak of the Spirit Walker, but we had always assumed that he would be Ute. It tells us that he will be our savior and our destroyer in the same breath. Many stories say he should be killed, and many say he should be worshiped. Since the Spirit Walker is a Cheyenne, it answers many questions that we have had. I will hear your words, and see if you will save us, or destroy us." Fighting Hawk looked at the old man, and wondered where else he would appear in legends. Fighting Hawk cleared his throat and spoke clearly and strongly, "We have bought the Cheyenne lands from the white man. As a white man, I use the white man's laws to protect the Cheyenne people. We also have moved into the Valley to the south of the main Cheyenne village. There we cleared the land, built barns, raise cattle, and grow crops." The Chief of the Utes was suddenly sputtering and yelling. "You are nothing more than white men, and now you come to us and tell us to be white men?" Fighting Hawk calmly looked at the Chief and waited for him to calm down. He saw the War Chief holding his own outburst by sheer will. When the Chief had run down, Fighting Hawk calmly asked him, "If the white man is so soft why do you fear his Army? Do you know how to make guns? Where do you get your flour? You talk about the white man like he is stupid, but I can tell you that he isn't stupid. You will never drive the white man from these lands. Even if you kill every white man here more will come, and more after that. They will keep coming until there is nothing left. Then they will take your lands and they won't mourn their own dead any more than they will yours. Are the Cheyenne people white men? No, we are Cheyenne, but we are smart enough to learn from the white man." Fighting Hawk looked to see that he had their attention. They were thinking about what he was saying and he knew that it meant hope. "We live the way of the Cheyenne, but if there is something that the white man does better, then we learn how to do it. The white man will not starve when the buffalo are gone, because he has his cattle. When we lose a great craftsman before he teaches his apprentice, it is lost. The white man has schools and teaches his young. Those that have the talent become great craftsman." Fighting Hawk saw the men frowning and thinking hard, and decided to cover something easier for them to understand. "When the white man came to this land he found the Indians waiting for him. They taught him how to hunt and grow crops in a strange land. He learned what they taught him. Then he took the land away from the Indians. Why? Because he was willing to learn the ways of his enemy, and use that knowledge against him. The Cheyenne people will learn the ways of the white man, and use that knowledge against him. It does not make the white man weak to raise cattle, or to grow crops, or even to live in houses. These are the things that make him strong. When the winter winds blow he doesn't freeze, and he will always have food to eat. Is every white man like that? No, and not all Indians are renegade warriors, or thieves and cowards. You must learn to see what is good and to use it, and what is not good, to ignore it. These are the ways to grow strong in the face of your enemy." Fighting Hawk sat and let them think about what he said. He knew that it was a bitter weed to chew on, but sometimes it has to be done to get better. He looked at the Shaman and saw that the old man had already grasped the idea. He assumed that as a Shaman he had to learn from others all the time, it was just making the leap that white men could teach you things too. Fighting Hawk spoke to the Shaman, "We will come back tomorrow and talk more, after you have had time to think on this." The Shaman nodded wisely and watched them leave. He knew that this man was the man of legends, but he still didn't know if he was their savior, or their destruction. He thought about it and knew that his words were true, and he could see the benefits of his way over their own. Now, he just had to get the others to look past their own prejudices. The next morning the Cheyenne group rode back into the Ute village. They took their places at the counsel fire. The Chief was quick to start, "We have thought long and hard about your words. We agree that the White man can never be driven from our lands, and for us to survive we will have to change. What you say seems better then becoming a white man, and lets us keep our values. We can see that the white man can do things that we can't and to learn how would make us stronger. We thank you for this knowledge, but we cannot see ourselves joining the Cheyenne. We are Ute, and we will stay Ute, or die Ute." Fighting Hawk shook his head. "You will die Ute. Only if you join the Cheyenne can you survive. You must see that we can offer you more, and we are already so close in our beliefs. It would not be a hardship to become a Cheyenne. You can call me Sioux, or Apache but it won't change what I think, or what I believe. We aren't asking for you to give up anything but your name. Is that so bad? I have been called many things, but none of that means anything. It is what is in your heart, and the Ute heart and the Cheyenne heart beat closely. Don't make the decision now. Come and see the valley that we are building. See the people and how they live. We wouldn't expect you to move there. You could just move your village into the Cheyenne lands, and everything would be as it is here. You would just be called Cheyenne, and follow the Cheyenne leaders. You have known Gray Eagle, and you know Big Cloud. Is this a bad thing? Please consider my words." The Shaman was speaking quickly and convincingly to the two Chiefs. He saw that the Spirit Walker was offering a chance of survival, but it would cost them their Ute heritage. He suddenly understood the meaning of the legend; He would save them, but they would no longer be Ute, so he would destroy them as well. He thought that it was a good way to be destroyed, if one had to be destroyed. His voice carried a lot of weight, and he used everything that he had to try and convince the Chiefs. When the Cheyenne group returned to the counsel fire the Chiefs were in agreement. "We will come to see your valley, and talk to Gray Eagle. How many warriors should we bring?" Fighting Hawk frowned, "Bring as many as you want, but please make sure that the ones that you bring will be willing to see new things and learn new things. If they have already made up their minds, why waste their time, or ours?" The old Chiefs nodded that they understood. "We will prepare and travel in three days." Fighting Hawk nodded and led his group back to the Cheyenne lands. As they were riding Storm Cloud asked, "Why did we go to the Utes? Why do we want them in our lands?" Fighting Hawk knew that everybody was listening to his answer. "Once they move into the Cheyenne lands, they will be Cheyenne. Their children will be Cheyenne. Either way the Ute are dead, but this way the Cheyenne get stronger. The more people we have the stronger we are. If we have to fight, we will have more warriors, and if we don't we will have more workers. No matter how you look at it, it's good for the Cheyenne people." Storm Cloud shrugged, "You understand those things better than I do, but it does make sense." Fighting Hawk was sitting at the cook fire of Gray Eagle's lodge when the warrior came up to him and Fighting Hawk motion for him to approach. He quickly whispered in her ear and left as fast as he had arrived. Gray Eagle raised an eyebrow and Fighting Hawk said, "They are one day out, and there is the Chief, War Chief, the Shaman and nine warriors. There aren't any other warriors within two days of them in any direction." At Gray Eagle's look Fighting Hawk grinned, "I might be trusting father, but I'm not stupid." Gray Eagle smiled in return. Gray Eagle had sent out riders to the other villages the day Fighting Hawk returned. The Cheyenne people were filtering in, and it was taking on a festival atmosphere. There were many empty lodges that could be used, and Fighting Hawk offered his own in addition. The Ute warriors were wary as they rode into the Cheyenne village. They knew that they had been watched and were looking for any signs of trouble. What they found were a people in full swing of a festival. There were bright colored clothes and a cow roasting over a large spit. There was singing and dancing everywhere. The Utes didn't have a clue what it meant, but accepted it and quickly got into the festive mood. After the Chiefs and sat at the counsel fire and talked about everything that was going on Fighting Hawk offered to show them the valley. Since it was the reason that they were there, they nodded and started into the valley. They were amazed at the size of the valley and the cleared area. The herd of cattle grazing gave them pause for thought. They could see the benefit of raising cattle. The barns were examined and as they looked at all of the stored hay they knew that there wouldn't be any starving horses in the Cheyenne village. The tour of the blacksmith's shop and the forge showed them that working their own metals meant that they didn't have to deal with the white man to get what they needed. The crops were just starting to break the ground and it covered the valley from side to side, a full five miles. They saw that the Cheyenne people wouldn't starve in the worst winter. They saw the old warriors and the widows all working side by side. When the Chief made a comment about it Fighting Hawk replied, "All of them came here to work because it is a job that they can do, and in return we supply them meat and hides as they need them. Each person does the job that they can do, and that is all that we ask of them. At our festivals the old warriors come with their heads held high, there isn't a charity case in the whole village." The Chiefs were stunned at the idea and knew that their own old warriors hadn't held their heads up in many years. They felt ashamed that they hadn't done something for them. Fighting Hawk knew what they were thinking and led them away. He wanted them to think about their own people, but he didn't want to shame them. He showed them the stored lumber and they saw the continuing removal of the trees, to make room for more crops. They couldn't understand the need for that much food. When they asked Fighting Hawk replied, "We will use the food all year, not just in the winter. We will can it, to preserve it. And we will send some to the trading post." When Fighting Hawk saw the confused looks the explained, "We built a trading post on the Santé Fe trail. We keep it stocked with plenty of food and blankets and other things that we might need to get through a hard winter. If that time comes we help our people, and all of the other Indian nations. If there is anything left over, we'll even help the white man." It was the War Chief that asked, "And if the other nations can't pay for the food and blankets?" Fighting Hawk smiled as he said, "We will allow them credit. When the winter is over they can hunt and pay their debt. If they don't pay the debt, they won't get help again. When you give things away, people come to expect that you will do it, and won't do for themselves. If they have to repay the debt, then they know that there is a cost, and it isn't charity. It is just a loan." The Chiefs looked at each other, and Fighting Hawk didn't know what the look meant, but he didn't worry about it. He led them back toward the Cheyenne village. On the way he stopped to show them his house. He didn't tell them that it was his house, but to show them that living in a house could be comfortable and safer than a lodge. The Old War Chief suddenly screamed, "Raven!" and jumped from his horse and ran to the small woman. She heard him and screamed as she ran to him. He caught her in mid stride and swung her around. "Grandfather, what are you doing here?" Fighting Hawk was amused at the show. It was similar to his own displays. The other warriors grinned to each other at the happy reunion. The old War Chief started to speak and Raven hit him on his shoulder, "Speak Cheyenne Grandfather, I'm a Cheyenne woman now." The old man looked at her in disbelief. She grinned at him, "I worked hard to become a Cheyenne, and to be accepted. I won't allow you to pull me back." The old man nodded his head, "Very well little girl, I'll play your game, but you will always be Ute." She grinned at him, "No Grandfather, I was born Ute, but I will always be what my husband is." The old man looked stunned as she wiggled from his grip. Once she had her feet on the ground, she turned to the other women standing on the porch and motioned to Moon Flower. She came to Raven carrying two children. Raven took one of the boys and turned to her grandfather, "Would you like to meet my son?" The old man looked stunned and Fighting Hawk thought he might drop where he stood, but he recovered quickly. The sudden look on his face told many things, but pride was at the top of his list as he reached for the boy. The old man asked, "Your husband treats you well?" He heard Moon Flower snort and saw Raven blush. "Yes Grandfather, Fighting Hawk treats all of his women well." She looked pointedly at Fighting Hawk and softly spoke, "Maybe too well." She heard Moon Flower snort again. The old man suddenly understood and turned to see Fighting Hawk watching him closely. He understood that he was holding his son. The old man asked Raven, "How did you end up in Fighting Hawk's lodge?" Raven laughed as she told her story, "His mother, Water Lilly, was a Ute captive. She still speaks Ute, and he had her at the exchange. She was checking over all of the girls to make sure that you weren't trying to sneak in any that would cause him trouble. When we were brought to her, she hissed at our young ages and pulled us aside. Pretty Dove was telling us what she as saying, since she spoke Cheyenne. She told Gray Eagle that she wanted the young ones to go to gentle warriors, and not some brutes. Fighting Hawk picked the best warriors for us. I was the one that was left standing after they had chosen. He took me to his lodge." She giggled, "I wanted him grandfather. I wanted him bad, but he was too nice. He made me sit and watch as all of the other captives were taken. He wouldn't even look at me. I heard them screaming, and I heard what they were screaming, and I was frightened. But he just went to his blankets and his women came to him. I couldn't understand what was happening. Then they took me to Water Lilly and she answered my questions. I couldn't believe what she told me. I was in the lodge of the Great War Chief, Fighting Hawk, and he left me sitting in my blankets, alone!" Raven suddenly stamped her little foot and Fighting Hawk thought it looked like a little girl throwing a temper tantrum and smiled at the thought. The old man had wide eyes as he listened, "Each day it got worse. I was almost panting when he finally came to take me. He made it rough. He wanted me to see what I could look forward to, and I loved every second of it. When he was finished he asked if I wanted him to sell me to another warrior. Trade off a man that tried to scare me away? I wouldn't think of it and I told him no. Then he showed me how mean that he really was. He told me that he wouldn't ever take me again, until I learned Cheyenne, and how to be a Cheyenne. It sure gave me a reason to apply myself. You had always said that I could do better, if I would just apply myself. You were right grandfather, I did a lot better when I applied myself. I worked hard and I became one of Fighting Hawk's women." Raven saw the stunned looks on her grandfather's face. "Oh don't be so surprised. You were the only one that thought that I was still a little girl. The warriors had been sniffing at my dresses for years. I thought that I was going to have to settle for some bumbling idiot And what did I end up with; the greatest Cheyenne warrior that ever was. Being one of Fighting Hawk's women is a badge of honor. Women would fight to the death to be one of his women, and you ask if I 'm treated well. Sorry grandfather, but you missed the whole point. I don't want to be treated well, and I look forward to the fights that I can cause. Don't ever interfere in my life grandfather, because I will be the one causing the punishment that I get. I look forward to it." The old man looked at her as she took her son from his arms. She gave him a quick hug and skipped off toward the house. The old man turned and asked, "What just happened?" All of the warriors laughed and Fighting Hawk had a hard time getting himself under control. When he looked again he saw the old man in a soft conversation with Moon Flower. The thought that it might be better coming from her, and motioned the others toward the village. They hadn't ridden far when the Chief slowly closed on Fighting Hawk, "I don't suppose you know where Pretty Dove ended up?" Fighting Hawk thought, but the name didn't ring any bells. Before he could answer Big Owl cleared his throat. Fighting Hawk looked at him and nodded. Big Owl spoke with some pride. "Pretty Dove is in my lodge." Fighting Hawk frowned. He knew that Big Owl had taken Wood Sparrow, but he didn't remember any others. Maybe he had traded for her. As he thought he suddenly remembered that Gray Eagle had given him Dirty Pig, just to get her out of his lodge. Fighting Hawk turned and mouthed, "Dirty Pig" and Big Owl nodded. Fighting Hawk shivered, the stories that she could tell. He was sure that she wouldn't remember them fondly. The old Chief asked if he could see Pretty Dove and Fighting Hawk nodded to Big Owl. He replied, "You can sit a Gray Eagle's cook fire. I will bring her." The old man nodded his head, but he had a smile on his face that death couldn't remove. Fighting Hawk was sitting at the cook fire of Gray Eagle. Water Lilly was serving some smoked meats with cheese. The old warriors were impressed with the cheese. Water Lilly explained that Fighting Hawk extorted butter and cheese from her, just because he gave her the first cow that had been brought back to the Cheyenne village. She smiled sweetly at him as she passed, without offering him anything. Fighting Hawk grinned, "Yes, Water Lilly is telling the truth, as much as it goes." He saw the fear in her eyes as he continued to talk, "What she isn't telling you is that I sent my women over and they taught her to milk the cow, and they taught her how to make the butter and the cheese. Now making the butter and cheese is really pretty simple, it is just milking the cow that is the hard job, and what does she do about that? She makes the Chief of the Cheyenne people go out and milk that cow, so she won't have to do it. Now, does that sound like any woman that you know?" Fighting Hawk saw the nodding heads all around the cook fire. Gray Eagle was blushing, but he understood that he had an Army of supporters. Water Lilly grunted and harrumphed, "Well, if you don't appreciate me, then I will go back inside." She thrust the serving plate in Fighting Hawk's hand and turned to go back into the lodge. As she went through the flaps Fighting Hawk saw the little smile on her face and she winked at him. He took a piece of smoked meat and passed the platter to the next warrior. Now that there weren't any women, the men could talk as they pleased. They didn't mind serving themselves, and if the truth be known, they preferred it. They didn't have to be on their best behavior. Gray Eagle nodded his thanks and Fighting Hawk nodded back. It took some time, but when Big Owl arrived he had Pretty Dove and Wood Sparrow. Pretty Dove saw the Ute Chief and screamed, "Daddy!" The warriors watched as she threw herself at him and hung on to his neck. Wood Sparrow looked at the warriors that were escorting the Chiefs and suddenly leaped on one of them. She had her arms around his neck and her legs wrapped around his waist. Big Owl didn't think that position was very lady-like, but he understood how things like that happened. After she had thoroughly kissed him she dropped back to the ground. She motion Big Owl over to the lanky warrior. She spoke formally, "My master Big Owl, I would like to introduce my brother, Still Waters." Big Owl and the lanky warrior looked at each other. Neither moved, or spoke, and Wood Sparrow was suddenly afraid. The lanky warrior had met Big Owl before, and he had the scars to prove it. Still Waters slowly asked, "I assume that you have been named by now?" He gave him a hard piercing look. Big Owl calmly looked back and nodded, "Some time ago, probably before you were healed up good." The lanky warrior smiled and thrust out his hand, "Good to see you again, Big Owl." Big Owl smiled and shook the offered hand. Wood Sparrow shrieked, "What's the matter with you two, you scared me to death." The two warriors looked at her and then looked at each other, totally confused. Wood Sparrow stomped off muttering and the two warriors grinned as she left. A half hour later Pretty Dove was sitting in her father's lap. Big Owl stood to leave and gave his respects to all of the warriors, and told them that he would see them later at the festival. Pretty Dove gave her father a kiss on the cheek and crawled out of his lap, "Good-bye father, I will see you later at the festival. She quickly scampered up to follow Big Owl as he went back to his lodge. The old Chief smiled and shook his head. "A good man has made a big difference in her, but her hair seems shorter than I remember." Fighting Hawk and Gray Eagle manage to keep a straight face and didn't say a word. That night the festival was just getting started when Gray Eagle led the small group to the Counsel fire. The visiting Chiefs and the Shaman took their place at the inner circle with Gray Eagle, Big Cloud and Fighting Hawk. Others quickly filled out the second and third circles depending on their positions. Fighting Hawk noticed old Pony Walk being helped by two young warriors, he was shooing them away but Fighting Hawk knew that he enjoyed the attention. He sat behind Big Cloud in the second circle and the old Chiefs looked at Gray Eagle expectantly. Gray Eagle had noticed and coughed respectfully and introduced Pony Walk, and explained that he was a previous War Chief of the Cheyenne. The old War Chief seemed confused and Fighting Hawk said, "War Chiefs don't all die in battle, especially if they are good War Chiefs. Sooner or later they will be challenged by a younger and stronger warrior, and then they aren't a War Chief any more. Pony Walk now tans hides. He is the best tanner in the village. He can make a buffalo hide feel as soft as a rabbit fur, but it will still wear like a buffalo hide. He is a true craftsman." They noticed that old Pony Walk was sitting straighter than they had ever seen him. Fighting Hawk nodded at the two warriors with him and Gray Eagle whispered, "Old Pony Walk made the journey to the trading post after it opened. He wanted to sell some hides. When he was there he found some color dye. Since then he has been coloring clothes, and he even managed to color the leather hides. It was very impressive. The two young warriors were taken with the colors and went to him and asked to be his apprentices. He thought about it for a while and agreed. They had been taking care of him ever sense." Fighting Hawk smiled. Fighting Hawk leaned over and spoke to Gray Eagle. It was loud enough for everybody to hear, so they knew that he knew what he was doing, "Father, Pony Walk is getting a little old. I was thinking that I would have Walking Buffalo build him a house. Black Otter has been pestering me to see what Walking Buffalo learned while we were gone. It would give him a chance to learn what Walking Buffalo can do. It wouldn't be anything big, just a little house, close to the river with nice level floors and a little work shop out back, and maybe a few vats at he could dye the clothes. What do you think father?" Gray Eagle nodded his head, "It sounds like you want something special from old Pony Walk." Fighting Hawk smiled, "Well I have four new women, and they need dresses. Everybody knows that I only want the best for my women, or they will visit you in the night. Maybe the softest hides that can be found. So that they can make soft dresses, to protect their tender skin." Fighting Hawk looked at Gray Eagle and noticed that he nodded his head. Fighting Hawk looked at old Pony Walk and he saw him grinning. Old Pony Walk spoke to his assistants, "You see my young friends, Fighting Hawk wants something special and he tempts me. He thinks me too old to get around, so he offers to build me a house, like he has. It is a temptation, but if I move there I will be admitting that I am old. If I am old like he thinks, maybe he should build me an outhouse close by, so I don't have to walk a long way." The two young warriors were shocked at the things being said. They looked to see Fighting Hawk smiling, and they saw old Pony Walk smiling. They suddenly realized they weren't talking they were making a deal and doing it so that either party could pull out without hurting the feelings, or pride of the other. The smiled as they learned an important lesson, but that was what an apprentice was supposed to do. The old Chiefs smiled at the exchange, and realized that there were worse things than living in a house, and having enough to eat, and being able to hold your head up while doing it. The festival had music, dancing, drinking and plenty of food. The warriors tried to impress the women, and the women tried to catch the eye of a warrior. It was the summer festival all over again. The old War Chief finally couldn't hold back any longer. "When I was talking to Moon Flower, she told me that Fighting Hawk has ten women. How can he handle ten women?" Fighting Hawk smiled as he said, "My father asked me that question recently. I'll let him tell you what I said." Fighting Hawk smiled at the uncomfortable look that Grey Eagle gave him, "My son in his wisdom, explained that he does the same with ten women that he did with six, but it just takes him longer to do it." The old chiefs choked on their drink and Fighting Hawk heard the unmistakable giggle of women, and he suspected that it was his. He saw Big Cloud grinning as he leaned over and whispered, "I'll have to remember that. I might be asked that same question in the future. I have three, thanks to you, and they have been talking about adding another and even suggesting names." Fighting Hawk shook his head sadly, "I'm sorry my friend, I wish you the best of luck, but if women are involved I haven't had much luck." As the festival was winding down the old Chiefs looked at Fighting Hawk, "We can see many benefits of living the way that you live, and we can even see the benefits of moving to the Cheyenne lands. When we return we will talk around the counsel fire, but many of the warriors will not want to hear what we have to say." Fighting Hawk nodded his head. "Tomorrow spend the day with the warriors. Many of them said the same things. Ask what they felt when they heard the news, and ask how they feel now. And then ask them what made them change their minds? See if they hold the answers that you want me to tell you." The old Chiefs could see the reason behind this and thought it a good idea. Two days later the Ute leaders left the Cheyenne village. Gray Eagle and Fighting Hawk sat at the cook fire of Gray Eagle's lodge. Gray Eagle asked, "What do you think that they will do?" Fighting Hawk sighed, "If it were up to the three of them, they would move into an empty lodge before sundown. They will have their work cut out for them, but since they believe in what they are saying I think that they will convince the warriors. I believe that we will have a new Cheyenne village soon. Before long, they will be Cheyenne." Gray Eagle nodded his head. ------- Chapter 70: Futures As Fighting Hawk entered the house he felt that he was living in the past. He was sure that he had heard this same argument before. He went to the kitchen and found all of his women facing Sara as she leaned against the barred door. He realized that they hadn't been to the pool since he had returned. He saw that the door had a huge lock on it. "Why don't you open that damn door? It isn't a secret any more. We all know what it is and we want in there." All of the women were nodding their heads, and Sara stood there looking at them, "I told you before and I'll tell you again, when Fighting Hawk tells me to open the door, I'll open it, and not before. I told all of you that once this lock went on, only Fighting Hawk would remove it. None of you complained at the time. Go to him and ask him, don't try to bully me. You know me better than that." Moon Flower just smiled, "Yes, I imagine that it was that night that you caught and you are hoping to do it again." She smirked at Sara and Fighting Hawk saw her blush. He thought about it and realized that it could have been that night that Sara got pregnant. He did notice that none of his new women were present to face Sara. He cleared his throat and the women instantly turned to the sound. "It seems that we have been through this before. I assume that you all know what to do now?" Moon Flower frowned and walked over to raise her dress around her waist and bend over. "Why do you always show up when we are trying to get in there?" Fighting Hawk grinned and brought his hand down with a thundering smack on her ass. She grunted and hopped about a foot. "I don't know, but it is entertaining." Moon Flower rubbed her ass and growled, "Not from this end, it isn't." Kelly was next and she imitated Moon Flower right down to the hop. Pretty Storm was next and she just grunted. Fighting Hawk noticed that none of them left the door way. He looked at them and Moon Flower said, "We missed seeing what you did to Raven, and we didn't want to miss it this time. It was worth getting my ass spanked just to see that. Fighting Hawk shook his head, as Little Mule took her place. Another thundering blow and she was rubbing her ass as she joined the waiting spectators. Raven was so excited that she didn't just raise her dress, she pulled it over her head and braced herself against the door frame. He saw that she was already panting and her pussy had drooled onto both of her thighs. He leaned down and kissed her ass. She suddenly spun around with fire in her eyes, "What the hell was that?" Fighting Hawk looked at her. "I was punishing, not rewarding, and I punished you, just like the others." She sputtered, and he noticed that her voice would probably be heard outside, "But I deserve a good punishment. I really need a true punishment, like last time. Please husband, I really need it." Fighting Hawk felt bad for making her beg but decided that it would be up to her. He looked her in the eye and said, "If you can get all nine of the other women to agree with you, I will give you what you want." She suddenly smiled and turned to the four women waiting and they could see the hunger in her eyes. Little Mule was the first to raise her dress again. She pointed to her wet pussy and Raven didn't even think about it. She dropped to her knees and began to lick and suck on Little Mule's pleasure button. Moon Flower started rubbing her own pleasure nub and said, "Oh my, it does look like she is doing a good job." Little Mule gasped and panted out, "Yea, Real ... Good." Little Mule screamed as her legs gave out, Moon Flower didn't waste a second pulling Raven's head over to her own sloppy pleasure center. Fighting Hawk watched as the other women came to see what the noise was all about. It was Su that said, "When women start screaming, it has to be our Tom involved somewhere." The other women nodded their heads and Mei asked, "Can we play too?" Fighting Hawk smiled "Raven thinks that she needs a real punishment, and I told her she had to get all of you women to agree. She is negotiating right now." The women looked at Little Mule laying on her side and breathing hard, and Moon Flower was panting. It was obvious that she was just about to take off for pleasure mountain's unannounced getaway. Pretty Storm already had her dress off and made no pretense that she was next in line for the pleasure express. As Fighting Hawk watched Raven putting her all into every woman, he felt a pair of hands slide around his side and up to his chest. One hand slowly worked its way down into his britches. He heard a soft voice coming from his back. "Come on husband, you know what I need. I want another baby, just like the last one. I want you to pound me hard and fast, right here on the floor. Make me scream again like the last time." Fighting Hawk thought the idea had merit, even though he didn't feel the same fire that he felt last time. "If you're willing to wait, I'm sure that after I finish with Raven, I will be just as hot as I was last time." He felt her shake her head, "I don't care how hot you are. I'm hot enough for both of us, right now." Fighting Hawk couldn't see the benefit of arguing with her. He turned and picked her up and turned her around and dropped down on his knees, bringing her with him. He jerked her dress out of the way and watched as she pulled it over her head while he dropped his britches. When he was free he took his hard cock in his hand and put it to her sloppy opening. He didn't pretend to be gentle. He just slammed everything he had as far in as he could get it. Sara screamed and pushed back as hard as she could. Fighting Hawk got a good grip on her slim hips and started driving into her as hard and fast as he could. She dropped to her elbows and started grunting at the almost painful penetration, but she was far too excited to care. She started her orgasm on the first push and continued to ride the wave of ecstasy as he slammed her around on the floor. He couldn't last long doing it like this and Sara knew that it was a good thing, as she wouldn't survive the abuse if it went on too long. There were as many spectators for Fighting Hawk and Sara was there was for Raven's efforts. When Fighting Hawk finished and fell to the side panting Sara defended her prize from the waiting bandits. She made it clear that this was hers alone. Mei smiled as she cleaned her man. The others could fight for the prize, but she would settle for second best. In the end Raven serviced the women and offered favors and work, but she got all of them to agree with her. Fighting Hawk suspected that they just wanted to watch Raven's punishment. She proudly took her place at the door and braced herself. Fighting Hawk noticed that her pussy had drooled all the way down both legs. He reached down and ran his hand up each leg and rubbed her pussy juices on her ass. It made her ass wet and glistening. The first stroke sounded like thunder, and the wetness offered a whole new dimension to the word pain. Fighting Hawk wasn't going for anything other than punishment, and his next slap quickly followed the first. Each time his arm swung, he put everything he had into the delivery. His hand went numb after ten, but he didn't stop there. After thirty Raven's legs gave out, but he followed her down. He didn't stop until she was a sniveling mess and her ass and legs were blood red. None of the other women moved and fighting Hawk thought that they hadn't breathed in the last minute. He reached down and grabbed her by the hair and jerked her up to look into her glazed eyes. "Do you want more?" He saw her trying to understand what he was saying. When she finally understood she slowly shook her head. He put her on her knees and moved behind her. Just like Sara her entered her hard and fast. She screamed at the pain shooting through her ass as he roughly pounder her battered pussy. Since Sara had just drained him he gave her a ride that she would remember for a long time. When he finished he roughly pushed her forward and watched her hit the floor with a thud. He turned to look at Sara and told her to open the door. She quickly ran out of the room to get the key. When she got back she snapped the lock off of the iron bar and opened the door. Fighting Hawk led the way down the tunnel to the hot room. The steam coming off of the pool looked inviting. Fighting Hawk checked the water temperature and nodded that it was safe. He eased himself down in the hot water and sighed. "Last one in has to go get Raven." There was a flurry of activity and Jess cussed as she saw that she was the last one not in the pool. She turned and stomped back down the tunnel. The girls heard a couple of small screams and wondered what Jess was doing. They saw her guiding Raven and swatting her ass. All of them cringed at the thought of what that felt like. Raven quickly scampered into the pool. When the hot water hit her ass she screamed again, and then stood shaking. Soon she started to relax and then she sighed as she crawled into Fighting Hawk's lap. "You were hard on me husband." Fighting hawk grunted, "I thought you wanted a punishment. You worked hard enough to get it. Now you tell me I too hard on you." Raven snuggled closer and whispered, "No, not too hard, just hard enough. It might be days before you can do that to me again." Fighting hawk shook his head, it would be longer than that before he could feel his hand again. He thought that he might have to start using a razor strop on her. Fighting Hawk noticed that the children liked the hot water, but couldn't take it for very long. He mentioned it to the women and watched them take turns sitting out and taking care of the children. He noticed that with so many willing mothers, they could easily get a break when they needed it. Mei and Su snuggled up to Fighting Hawk's sides and Mei whispered, "It is just like at home, but much better. We don't have to heat the water, or scrub the tub. They giggled and Fighting Hawk grinned. He suspected that they would have Black Otter building a steam room in the other part of the cavern, and he liked the idea. He was sure that the other women would take to it like ducks to water. Fighting Hawk sent one of the young warriors to find Storm Cloud, Big Owl and Big Cloud. When they arrived he was sitting on the steps of the house with Little Mule in his lap. Storm Cloud arrived first and waited for Fighting Hawk to tell him what he wanted of him. "Think that you can train a couple of more protectors?" Storm Cloud thought about it and slowly nodded. "When will you need them?" Fighting Hawk shrugged and said, "When you get them trained." Storm Cloud nodded, "I will find a couple of young warriors and get started tomorrow." He was just leaving when Big Owl and Big Cloud arrived. "You sent for us father?" Fighting Hawk studied the two young men. "How far did you get in your studies?" He watched both of the young men suddenly get embarrassed and found the ground very interesting. They heard Little Mule clearly say, "They can both speak English pretty good, and they can basically read and write, but they both struggle with the words. They need more practice." Fighting Hawk nodded his head. "You heard your teacher. Start getting some practice. You have let me down in your promise to read the books, and it is time to live up to your word." He watched the two young men struggle with wanting to complain, but their own promise kept them from it. "Starting in the morning, you will spend every day in the hands of your teacher, unless I have something else for you to do." They didn't look happy as they turned to walk away. Little Mule whispered, "They don't love to read like you do, but they try hard." Fighting Hawk smiled at her and said, "It doesn't matter how much they love it, or hate it, they will still learn. Our Children will also learn to read and write, and you will be their teacher. We will have educated children, and we will teach them how to survive in this world." Little Mule smiled, "I think that you already have a plan for your children." Fighting Hawk sadly shook his head, "No, I just see it as the only way to survive." Little Mule nodded. The next morning the young men were back in the library, Storm Cloud was off with his own students and Black Otter was watching everything that Walking Buffalo did as he started on the house for old Pony Walk. He was also asking question about what a steam room was, as Walking Buffalo tried to explain it. He wasn't surprised when all of his women stopped drinking their tea, and were working hard to get in the family way. He hoped that they all didn't catch at once. Fighting Hawk found that he spent a lot of time helping the boys by explaining what they were learning. The concepts in the math books took most of a month, but they covered the books in a third of the time that it had taken Fighting Hawk. He realized that having a teacher to ask questions, speeded up the learning process. They had been hard at the books for almost three months when Fighting Hawk asked them one morning, "Feel like taking a break?" He wasn't surprised when both of them slammed the books closed and waited for the chance to get away. He grinned as he said, "It will be winter soon. I think that we need to take a trip to the fort and see how the army is doing, and what they are doing." The boys grinned as they realized that it would take them away from the books for at least a month, if they were lucky. They raced to get their horses packed for the trip. Fighting Hawk shook his head as he watched them leave. Fighting Hawk wasn't happy that six young warriors were with them on the trip to the fort. He was starting to feel like they were attached to him somehow, and that when he sneezed he would need to wipe all of their noses. Big Cloud just smiled and told him, "Important men have guards, it can't be helped." Fighting Hawk wanted to protest, but knew that it wouldn't do him any good. He did quietly say, "Don't forget that the Spirit Walker can change a warrior's name. How would you like to wake up with a name like Rotten Meat, every morning?" Big Cloud looked stunned at the idea and quickly shook his head. "If you do that, I will send my women to tell you how they feel about it." Fighting Hawk smiled, "I would like to see the stars again, why don't you send them around to meet my new women? I'm sure that they will get along well." Big Cloud growled as he realized that Fighting Hawk was right, he was the one person that his women would never hurt. The banter continued to pass the time for the next three days. It was only when the fort was in sight that they let it drop. They were still laughing when they rode through the gates. The arrival caused the usual stares and quick runners to the colonel's office. Fighting Hawk ignored it all. They were in the trading post when a Cheyenne warrior came running in and looking around. When he spotted Fighting Hawk he grinned and ran to him. "Fighting Hawk, I just heard that you were here. From your guard I can see that you haven't had an accident yet." The young warrior was smiling so big that Fighting Hawk was sure that he would have muscle spasms, if he kept it up. Fighting Hawk realized that the news of his house cleaning hadn't reached the fort yet. "There won't be any more accidents. I'm afraid that the Beavers had an accident." Fighting Hawk watched the smile on the warriors face get even bigger, and he didn't think that was possible. The young warrior said, "Good, then Running Bear can have an accident tonight." He suddenly had Fighting Hawk's full attention. Who is Running Bear, and why will he have an accident?" The young warrior lost his smile and looked around the trading post, and spoke very softly, "He is one of Bright Beaver's warriors. He was sent here almost six months ago, but the only thing that runs on him is his mouth. He is constantly running to the colonel with everything that he sees or hears. He needs to have an accident, just to shut his mouth." Fighting Hawk wasn't smiling now. "Snow Owl, what has he told the colonel about me?" Snow Owl looked around again before he softy said, "He came from Bright Beaver's village, and he is very young. He was only named at last year's festival. All that he knows about you are stories that he has heard. He might have told them those, but everybody has heard those. We have never said anything to him that we cared if the colonel knew." Fighting Hawk sighed with relief and realized that he had made a mistake. "Go and get the other warriors, and bring this Running Bear to me. We will be waiting outside the fort. Tell nobody what you are doing." He saw Snow Owl snap to attention and then he was gone. Fighting Hawk motioned to Big Cloud, "Get the others. We have to leave, now. I'll wait for you outside the fort. Don't stop for anybody." Fighting Hawk turned and was out of the trading Post. Two of the warriors that had stayed close were running after him. He was on his horse and riding quickly for the gate. Nobody tried to stop him. He rode for about a mile and then turned off the trail. The warriors with him looked at him expectantly, but didn't ask. He looked around and pointed at two places and the warriors quickly took up position. Fighting Hawk quickly gathered some small branches and started a fire. He looked in his travel bags and got a couple of knives and put them in the fire. A few minutes later Big Cloud and Big Owl showed up with the rest of the warriors. Fighting Hawk pointed to the two warriors and then pointed to four more locations and the four warriors quickly took up their positions. Big Cloud asked what was going on, but Fighting Hawk just waved him away as he sat at the fire and thought. Big Owl and Big Cloud just looked at each other and sat at the fire to wait for whatever was going to happen. About twenty minutes later Snow Owl rode up with another warrior and Running Bear tied across a horse, he was also gagged. Fighting Hawk looked at the young warrior and suddenly knew what he was going to do. He motioned to the warriors to bring him to the fire. The young warrior didn't know who the warriors were, or what was going on, but he didn't think that he liked it at all. As soon as his gag was removed he started to bluster, "I'm Bright Beaver's warrior. He will have your hide for this, and Night Beaver will hunt you down. There won't be any place that you will be able to hide." Fighting Hawk liked this young warrior more every time he opened his mouth. Each time he spoke he regretted what he was about to do less and less. He was expecting someone and he was a little surprised when William rode up to their makeshift camp. Fighting Hawk held up his hand and William stayed in his saddle. Fighting Hawk looked at him and asked, "What are you doing here?" William looked uncomfortable but held his head high, "I came to bring Running Bear back to the fort." Fighting Hawk looked at him, "Just Running Bear?" William understood the question, and what it meant and he nodded. Fighting Hawk smiled. "I'm sorry, but you can't have Running Bear. This is a matter of Cheyenne justice, and you aren't welcome here." William frowned, "We have given Running Bear our word for his safety. We can't let you kill him." Fighting Hawk smiled. "When the white men broke the law, he brought them to you for their justice. Now that a Cheyenne has broken the law, he was brought to me and I will handle his punishment." William didn't like the way that things were going, "Does Bright Beaver know what you are doing?" Fighting Hawk looked at William, "Just what do you know about Bright Beaver?" William wondered what was going on as he spoke, "He has come to the fort. He explained that Gray Eagle had died and that he was the new Chief of the Cheyenne. We have made some agreements with him to help keep the peace." Fighting Hawk hissed, "A Cheyenne rides into the fort and says that he is the new Chief and you didn't check? I don't know what you agreed to, and I don't care, but I can tell you that our agreement is the only agreement that has any meaning, and you haven't been honoring it." William suddenly thought that they might have made a mistake. He frowned, "We sent one of our scouts to the Cheyenne village, and Running Bear returned and said that Bright Beaver was the new Chief. What else could we do?" Fighting Hawk fumed. He turned to look at the cocky young warrior before he turned back to William, "So you want to take him back with you?" William nodded his head. Fighting Hawk turned and motioned to the warriors and they all stepped out of their hiding places and drew their bows. William understood that what he wanted didn't matter much in the present situation. Fighting Hawk grabbed the young warrior, with knife in hand he leaned down and whispered, "I am Fighting Hawk and I have personally killed every Beaver that I could find. Your precious Bright Beaver's dead body is hanging from a tree rotting, and Night Beaver hangs beside him. I have killed every warrior that followed him, and everyone from their lodge. I didn't know about you, but I do now, and I will kill everybody in your lodge and hang them to rot with the others." Fighting Hawk saw the fear in the young warrior's face, just before he cut off an ear. The warrior screamed and Fighting Hawk reached in and grabbed his tongue and pulled it out as far as it would go and quickly cut it out of his mouth. He then quickly cut off his other ear. When he looked at the young warrior he saw the understanding in his eyes. He then cut his eyes out. When he was finished he put the hot knives on the bleeding wounds, they instantly seared the skin and stopped the bleeding. Fighting Hawk turned to the two scouts, "Put him on his horse." He then turned to William, "You wanted him, you can have him. If he is ever seen in Cheyenne lands again he will be killed and it won't be as fast and painless as it was today." Fighting Hawk motioned to the warriors and they all came forward to break the camp. Fighting Hawk looked at William before he mounted his horse, "Every white man that is found on Cheyenne land will lose a finger. If we find him again, he will lose his head. You have chosen the path of your people this day. Remember your choice." William looked in shock, he understood the message that had been sent, but now it looked like there was going to be war. He could see that Fighting Hawk was not going to back down this time, and it had been him that had cause the war. He frowned as he said, "You can't let it end here." Fighting Hawk looked at him, "I didn't break our agreement. You didn't verify Bright Beaver's words, because you didn't want to. You didn't ask to talk to the War Chief, a Shaman, or the Spirit Walker or to anybody in a position of authority. You broke the agreement because you thought you could deal with him easier. You probably thought he was an idiot and you could control him, as he prepared for war with you. Well, his preparations will not go to waste." Fighting Hawk mounted and turned his horse to face William, "Now, get out. The next time I see you, I'll cut your throat. And don't forget that soldiers are white men, and they will lose their fingers just like anybody else." William nodded. He didn't see much else that he could do, so he turned the horses and rode back to the fort. ------- Chapter 71 Big Cloud was worried, "Are you sure that you know what you are doing this time?" Fighting Hawk winked at him, "Yep." Big Cloud breathed a sigh of relief. He was sure that they were all in big trouble, but now he felt that it would still work itself out. "What are you going to do?" Fighting Hawk smiled and said, "Just what I said that I would do. I'll cut off the finger of every white man that I find in the Cheyenne lands. And, I'll wait. It should take about two weeks to get things straightened out." Big Cloud stared open mouthed at Fighting Hawk, but he had come to trust that when he said that he could do something, he would find a way to make it happen, but he didn't see how this time. Fighting Hawk turned to the six warriors."I have a special job for you. I want you to ride to every Cheyenne village and find every warrior that followed the Beavers. I want them dead, along with all in their lodge. If you don't feel that you can do that, then bring them to me and I will do what must be done, but I don't want you to miss one warrior. Not like we did Running Bear. I made the mistake of not seeking them out before. We can't afford to miss any of these vermin, or they will rise up again to strike at us when our backs are turned." The young warriors nodded their heads and quickly rode toward the closest village. Fighting Hawk turned to Big Cloud. "As War Chief of the Cheyenne, I submit myself to you. I have just ordered the deaths of women and children. I will await your decision on my punishment." Fighting Hawk turned his horse toward home as the warriors sat and stared after him, and then looked at each other, and then Big Cloud. They saw Big Cloud's face contorted with anger and her rode after Fighting Hawk. By the time that they got back to the Cheyenne village Big Cloud had calmed down, but Fighting Hawk wasn't speaking to anybody. He went to the lodge of Gray Eagle with Big Cloud and Big Owl following. He sat at the cook fire and coughed respectfully. Water Lilly knew that something was wrong as soon as she saw him. Gray Eagle was quick to sit at the cook fire. He looked at the three of them and frowned, "So what happened this time?" Fighting Hawk waited for Big Cloud to speak. When Big Cloud realized that Fighting Hawk wasn't talking he grunted and said, "He did it again. We found a warrior named Running Bear at the fort. He was a follower of Bright Beaver. Fighting Hawk administered justice to him. It was very effective for his crimes. Then he sent his warriors to every Cheyenne village to look for any more warriors that he might have missed. He ordered the warrior and all in their lodge killed, or brought to him to be killed. Then he turned himself over to me for justice." Gray Eagle shook his head and frowned. "What have you decided?" Big Cloud shook his head, "You aren't putting this on just me. But I will say that I would have ordered them to do the same thing that he did. I won't have that problem coming back again in a few years." Gray Eagle nodded his head. "Then we do nothing. If there is a problem at a village, then we will go there and straighten it out. The people know what the Beavers were. Their followers aren't any better. If we have to force them to see it, then we will." Big Cloud nodded his head. "But it might not make any difference, since Fighting Hawk has declared war on the white man. He said that he would cut off a finger of any white man found on Cheyenne lands, and the next time he would cut their throat. He also made sure to tell them that soldiers were white men, and they could look forward to the same thing." Gray Eagle stared open mouthed at Fighting Hawk, "Have you lost your mind, or is it blinded by hate? Fighting Hawk leaned back and shook his head, "Nope, nothing like that. They had climbed in the blankets with Bright Beaver, and had broken our agreement. They knew what would happen if they broke our agreement. If I ignored it, then they would do it again whenever they thought that they could get away with it. We had to force the issue, and make them come to us." Gray Eagle nodded that he understood, "But you made it impossible for them to come to us. How can they come to negotiate, if they can't come on our land." Fighting Hawk smiled, "Oh, I'm sure that they will figure out how to do it." Gray Eagle looked confused, "Well they must be smarter than I am, because I can't figure it out." Fighting Hawk looked at Big Cloud and he shook his head. When he looked at Big Owl, he also shook his head. Fighting Hawk sighed, "You are thinking like an Indian. You have to start thinking like a white man. We look at the valley to the south and see Cheyenne land, but the white man will see another white man's land. A white man that works with the Cheyenne people, the perfect person to act as a go-between; Mr. Tom Sherman." When he looked he saw all three of them smiling as they saw what he had in mind. Fighting Hawk grinned, "So father, what do you want from the Army this time?" The people involved knew Fighting Hawk and he couldn't play the part, so he pulled Walking Buffalo aside and explained what he needed. He wasn't happy with the idea of playing Tom, but he knew that he had the best chance of pulling it off. A week later he and his women moved into Tom's house. Fighting Hawk was in and out with his regular business and didn't worry too much about when the army would arrive. It took them another week to show up and Fighting Hawk wondered what took them so long to figure it out. A warrior waiting at Huggins trading post rode hard and got to the valley a full day before the army. Fighting Hawk suggested Tom carry the request for a meeting to the Cheyenne village and the important players would journey to the valley. All agreed and they waited at Gray Eagle's lodge for Tom to show up. Just before noon the next day Tom rode into the Cheyenne village. He sat and had lunch with the warriors before they all headed back to meet with the Colonel. Fighting Hawk was surprised that the Colonel actually left the fort, but could understand that he wasn't willing to leave this to anyone else. Tom led the warriors into the valley. When they approached the house Fighting Hawk saw the Colonel and a few other men on the porch. He huffed a few times and Tom wasn't any happier. When they rode up Tom asked the men what they were doing. The Colonel seemed surprised at his hostility. "We were just trying to engage the women in some conversation. We meant no harm." One of the other officers quickly added, "There are a lot of women in there, they can't all be your women." Tom looked at the Colonel, "How would you feel about a bullet in your head Colonel? I wouldn't mean any harm by it." The colonel suddenly realized that he was not on firm ground. He motioned the soldiers off the porch quickly. "My apologies Mr. Sherman, I see that the women that live here are under your protection." Tom wasn't smiling when he said, "Let me explain my position to you clearly Colonel, You have come on my land without permission. You have asked me to carry a message to the Cheyenne for you. While I am gone you tried to force your attentions on the ladies in my house. Is that what they taught you at West Point, Colonel, or have you lived in the wilderness so long that you think if you want something that you can just take it?" The colonel realized that his actions could be misconstrued in any number of ways, and the picture that Mr. Sherman was painting didn't look pretty. "I'm sorry Mr. Sherman, I didn't realized how this would look to you." Tom huffed, "If any of these fine young men ever come calling again, I will personally kill them. That goes for you too, Colonel. You are no longer welcome on my land. I can see why my Cheyenne neighbors won't allow you on their land either. Decent folks don't allow pigs to run free on their land. I would appreciate you taking your business away from my house, and when it's over, got off my land quickly before I start shooting." Tom climbed down from his horse and led it off toward the barn. The loud officer was quick to comment, "He didn't have no call to act like that, we was just having a little fun." The colonel looked at the Cheyenne party and noticed that a young warrior was speaking to the Cheyenne leaders. He knew instantly that their every word was being translated. He spoke to the officer, "Captain, move the men well away from Mr. Sherman's house, and keep your mouth shut until I tell you to say something." As the soldiers were moving away for the house the Colonel whispered to William, "Do the men usually act like that, when they leave the post?" William whisper back, "Yep, and most times worse." The Colonel shook his head, "No wonder everybody hates us. I can't believe that I was a party to that." William grinned, "Yep, it's easy to do when you stop thinking. But now you had better start doing some serious thinking." William nodded to the Cheyenne warriors, "You see that man sitting beside Fighting Hawk? That's Gray Eagle, Chief of the Cheyenne Nation. You got all the leaders of the Cheyenne here; Chief, War Chief and the Spirit Walker. I'd be real careful what you say here today." The Colonel looked surprised as he looked at William, "But they told us he was dead." William frowned, "Yep, and we did just like Fighting Hawk said, we didn't check a thing. We heard what we wanted to hear, and jumped on the wagon with them. Now we are paying the price." The Colonel didn't look happy when Fighting Hawk lightly dropped to the ground and was followed by each of the other leaders. They quickly settled on the ground in a prearranged position, with the other warriors arranged behind them. The Colonel whispered to William, "Looks like we have our work cut out for us." William shook his head, "Not we Colonel, you. I've already made my mistakes, and I'm leaving this all up to you. I'm just the translator here." The Colonel noticed the young warrior was positioned between Gray Eagle and Fighting Hawk and knew that they had their own translator. He sat stiffly on the ground facing the Cheyenne Leaders. He wanted to get the misunderstanding out of the way first. "We were told that Gray Eagle was dead, and that Bright Beaver was the new Cheyenne Chief. I am glad that Gray Eagle is still the Chief of the Cheyenne. We have worked well together in the past." William translated the words. The soldiers had no way of knowing that all of the Cheyenne leaders could speak English, Big Owl was just rambling and pointing out little things that they might have missed, and making it look like he was translating. Gray Eagle saw the sweat on the Colonel's face and knew it for what it was. All three leaders of the Cheyenne suddenly stood and faced the house. The Colonel looked to see Tom walking back from the barn on his way to the house. Once he was inside, they all sat back down. The Colonel looked at William and he whispered, "It is a show of respect. I think that you might have just pissed off the only man that might have had some sway over these men. It was a deep hole we were in, and I think that it just got deeper." Gray Eagle spoke, "Bright Beaver had dreams of becoming Chief of the Cheyenne. He was a traitor to his people and all of those that followed him, have followed him to the Great Spirit. The only warrior still alive is the one that you saved. I hope that you understood the message that we sent." The Colonel had started to learn Cheyenne, but wasn't good enough to understand everything. He waited for William to translate for him. "Yes, we understood the message, no eyes, no ears and no tongue. It was very clear. The young warrior killed himself later that night." Fighting Hawk waited for the translation before he snorted, "I didn't think that he had that much courage, or maybe he had a little help, since he wasn't of any use to you anymore." The Colonel quickly saw that things were worse than he thought. The Colonel was quick to get things moving again. He desperately wanted to change the subject. "It was all just a misunderstanding. I'm sure that we can get things worked out. I'm sure that there were mistakes made on both sides." Fighting Hawk snarled, "Do you remember what I said I would do when there was war?" Fighting Hawk looked at the colonel, and there was no mistaking his meaning. The Colonel nodded his head. Fighting Hawk leaned forward and looked hard at the Colonel, "I have killed every Beaver in the Cheyenne nation, starting with Bright Beaver. I mean that I killed the men, women and children. There will be no more Beavers in the Cheyenne nation. Then I killed every warrior that followed him, and I killed every man, woman and child in the lodge of any that followed him. I did this to the Cheyenne people, what do you think I will do the white people in our lands? During a war, leaving survivors is leaving enemies to come back and try to kill you again. We will bleed the white man until the rivers run red and the valleys are filled with his dead bodies, then we will make the plains look like the buffalo hunters work, with the rest of them. Will we die? Yes, but we will kill so many of you that you will be a nation of widows and orphans." Gray Eagle raised his hand and Fighting Hawk stopped. His anger was barely contained as he looked at the Colonel with hate filled eyes. The Colonel shrank back from the young warrior as William finished translating his words. Gray Eagle spoke softly, "You have aligned yourself with a traitor and I'm afraid that he feels strongly about traitors." The Colonel nodded vigorously that he agreed with Gray Eagle. "But what he says is true, too. You were warned what would happen if you broke the agreement, and you have broken the agreement. Fighting Hawk calls for the blood of every white man. The War Chief, Big Cloud, counsels that we should try again since Bright Beaver led you away with his lies. I wait to see who will sway my hand." William was furiously whispering in the Colonel's ear. When he was finished the Colonel was shaking as he looked at Gray Eagle. He knew that this was the only chance for any of them. The fire in Fighting Hawk's eyes burned like the fervor of religion, and he knew that the young warrior could pull every Indian nation within a thousand miles to his cause. The Indians didn't need reasons to hate the white man, and one zealot with a powerful personality and the artful use of words could unite the all of the Indian nations under his leadership. The Colonel wondered if all of the Indian nations did unite, would they be able to be stopped? Would they swarm across the land like avenging angels, destroying everything in their path? He could see Fighting Hawk leading that wave of death, leaving nothing of the white man alive in its wake. The Colonel cringed at the thought. He had never taken Fighting Hawk's words seriously, until now. Now he saw the steel resolve and the strength of his character. He knew that if he said that he would do it, then he would move mountains to carry it out, and he had promised death. The Colonel spoke softly, from the depth of his heart, "Gray Eagle, I'm responsible for breaking the agreement. I will willingly give my life, to keep peace between our people." Even Fighting Hawk had to admit that he believed the Colonel meant his offer. Gray Eagle was touched by the words and even William looked stunned at the Colonel. Gray Eagle nodded his head, "It is good to see that you understand what is at stake. I will hear what you will offer to keep the peace." The Colonel noticed that he didn't ask for his life. He did notice that Fighting Hawk looked disgusted at Gray Eagle. The negotiations were well underway when Fighting Hawk heard the rider. He watched the young warrior approach the negotiations. He stopped well back from the meeting and dismounted his horse, and walked quietly up to the group. Fighting Hawk suddenly stood and walked to meet with the warrior. Gray Eagle knew that whatever it was, Fighting Hawk would handle it and ignored the interruption. William softly spoke, "That is one of the warriors that was with him at the fort." Gray Eagle still didn't pay any attention to the warrior, but the Colonel looked interested. Big Cloud decided that it might be good to know who he was, "That is one of Fighting Hawk's personal guard. He was on a mission that Fighting Hawk sent him on, and is reporting to him now. These warriors behind us are only a personal guard to insure our safety. I can guarantee that any attempts to take our lives will be costly." The Colonel wasn't surprised, but William was. "I didn't think that Fighting Hawk had a personal guard." Big Cloud smiled, "He doesn't take it well, but we don't let him travel around without protection. As a matter of fact Colonel, your escorts at the fort will no longer be tolerated. We don't like that many soldiers close to Fighting Hawk. His guard will not put up with it. We are quite capable of protecting him, and your interference has caused trouble in the past. Let us protect him in our own way." The Colonel was surprised at the comment, but knew that this was a formal declaration. He nodded his head in acceptance. While Fighting Hawk was talking to the young warrior he saw Eva come out of the house and make her way to Fighting Hawk. He noticed that she was wearing one of her Washington dresses. When she was standing at Fighting Hawk's side she waited until he was finished with the warrior and turned to her. "My ... I was told at ask if food and water would be needed." Fighting Hawk knew that they could easily be heard, "No. The army can supply their own food and water. If we need anything I will send to the Cheyenne village for it. Thank your man for his concern for us." She smiled at him and turned to walk back to the house. Fighting Hawk noticed the loud officer from before moving to intercept her. He nodded at the warrior and watched as the warrior drew his bow and waited for the order to fire. The Colonel watched the proceedings and immediately thought that he was going to kill the woman, before he could say anything William pointed to the woman and the approaching soldier. The Colonel suddenly understood who the arrow was meant for. He stood and yelled, "Captain, I gave you an order, and it didn't include talking to that woman. If you aren't back with your men before she gets to the house, you will be a lieutenant again, and if you open your mouth you will make sergeant. Now move your ass." They all watched as the soldier was off at a run. It was a close thing as to who made it first, Eva to the porch, or the Captain to his men. Fighting Hawk waved and the warrior put his arrow back in his quiver. The Colonel was fuming as he sat back down. Big Cloud spoke quietly, "Tom was very serious about what he said. The women of his house are not to be bothered. All in this valley are protected by the Cheyenne. I would think very seriously about his words, and what it would mean to you." The colonel nodded. It was just another way that an idiot could cause him trouble. When Fighting Hawk returned he didn't sit. "Father, I have something important to take care of. I will return when I am finished." Gray Eagle nodded his head, but didn't look at him. He kept his eyes on the army Colonel. Fighting Hawk rode with the warrior that had come to report to him. "Why didn't you kill her with the rest?" The warrior frowned, "She was different. We couldn't find it in ourselves to kill her, so we brought her back to you. We took her to your lodge." Fighting Hawk nodded that he understood. Even though he didn't want to do the job either, it was more his responsibility than anyone else. When they entered the Cheyenne village Fighting Hawk led the way to his lodge. He saw that she had built the cook fire up and was sitting there. He saw her thee girls and frowned. The warriors hadn't picked an easy one for him and he already hated himself for what he was about to do. Fighting Hawk dropped lightly to the ground and the warrior led his horse away. The woman was instantly on her feet. Her girls followed her example and they waited for Fighting Hawk to speak. Fighting Hawk motioned for them to sit, and took his place at the cook fire. Fighting Hawk looked each of them over. The woman must have gotten pregnant early to have a warrior that had been named. The oldest girl was almost as tall as her mother and with the same black hair, and eyes so dark that they were almost black. He could tell that she was just starting her development and her small breasts were just large swellings on her chest. He thought that she might be eleven or maybe twelve, her sister couldn't have been more than a year younger, but she was still all little girl and almost a foot smaller. He would have to guess that the last little girl was about nine, and she probably had four children in as many years. "Do you know why you are here?" The woman looked at him and nodded her head. He looked at her expectantly and she said, "Your warriors didn't want to kill me, so they brought me to you." Fighting Hawk slowly shook his head, "Not you, all of you." He watched her as she understood what he said. She had tears on her face when she asked, "What could three little girls have done to be killed for?" Fighting Hawk looked her in the eye when he said, "Nothing, it isn't about you, or them. This is about the warriors that follow the Beavers. Any warrior that would follow a Beaver couldn't come from a family that was worth the air that they breathe." Fighting Hawk watched her struggle with the insult. "That is easy for the great Fighting Hawk to say, but have you ever watched your family starve? My son, Deep Water, couldn't stand to watch us starve any more. He went to the Beavers, because they offered to teach him to hunt and provide for his family. He didn't like what they were, but they knew how to provide for their family. He learned what they taught him, and he provided for us. He was the youngest warrior to be named this year, and then your warriors came and killed him, because he followed a Beaver. Sometimes it's better to eat with a devil, than to starve in heaven." She looked at Fighting Hawk defiantly. Fighting Hawk smiled. "Which one of your daughters do you want me to kill first?" She could see that he would do it and it broke her heart. She quickly shook her head, "I won't choose one of my daughters over another." Fighting Hawk nodded, "Then let me ask you a different question. Which one of your daughters do you want me to spare?" This time she saw hope, but it was short lived. She slowly shook her head again, "I want to save my babies, but I won't choose one over another, even to save their lives." Fighting Hawk nodded, "What if I said that if you kill them, I would let you live?" She cried as she shook her head. Fighting Hawk smiled at her, "I see that you love your girls, what if I only made you kill the little one, and you and the older two could go free? Fighting Hawk watched as she quickly grabbed the little girl and pulled her close, "No. Not even one of my babies." Fighting Hawk looked at the oldest girl and asked, "You heard what I offered; your life and your sister's life, for the little girl. Do you think that is fair?" He watched her struggle with it before she answered, "I want to live, but I wouldn't do it." Fighting Hawk nodded at her. Fighting Hawk looked at the crying woman as he took out his knife. "What are your names?" He knew that she as watching his every move. She struggled to keep her voice even as she said, "I am Little River. These are my daughters, Water Flower and Summer Storm, and this is my baby Spring Rain." Fighting Hawk watched her hugging the little girl. He knew that the little girl probably understood what was going on, even if she didn't understand everything that was happening. He could see fear in her eyes and knew that she understood something. Fighting Hawk stood and ordered the woman to come with him. He figured the girls wouldn't let her get too far away. He wasn't surprised when they followed her like a gaggle of baby ducks. He led them through the village and to the area that had recently been cleaned out. When they passed the women on the posts they called to him, begging to be released. He shook his head and kept walking. Little River couldn't help herself and asked, "What did they do to be put on the posts?" Fighting Hawk stopped and turned to her. "They are on the posts because they fought for the privilege of being put there. I told them exactly where they were going, and still they fought for the privilege of going there." Little River looked unconvinced and Fighting Hawk turned and led her back to the women. He stood before the older woman, "Did I tell you that I would put you on the posts?" They watched as she answered that he did. He then asked, "Did you fight for the chance to be put on the post?" and she only nodded her head. He then asked, "Who did you kill to be allowed your chance on the post?" She cried as she told them it was her husband." Fighting Hawk then turned to the girl and asked her, "Who did you kill to get your chance on the post?" She wasn't crying as she proudly said, "My brother and my father." Fighting Hawk turned away and led Little River back the way that he had been going. "They really killed their own family?" Fighting Hawk looked at her, "Of course they did. They are Beavers. They'd kill anybody for a chance to live, even on the post." He watched as Little River shivered and became quiet. He noticed that her girls didn't have anything to say either. He led them to an empty lodge. "You can stay here." Little River looked at him in confusion, "For how long?" Fighting Hawk looked at her and answered, "Until I can get a warrior to take you back. Your son followed the Beavers, he had to die, I don't think that you are a threat to the Cheyenne people. I don't see a reason to kill you. My warriors obviously thought the same thing, and brought you to me. After talking to you, I think you are an honorable woman, and your girls are honorable. You may use this lodge for now." She was a little upset, "You threatened to kill us, and now you just say 'I changed my mind' and you think that it makes everything okay?" Fighting Hawk looked at her, "Would you rather that I kill you? I really don't mind, but I thought that you wanted to live." He looked at her as her anger vanished. "No, I'm just upset and still frightened. Thank you, but I'm still upset. Why are you going to send us back?" Fighting Hawk looked at her, "I thought that you would rather live where your friends and family were, and you would want to go home. If you would rather stay here, I don't mind. You can have this lodge, if you want it." Fighting Hawk saw the disbelief in her eyes as she looked at the lodge. The girls quickly darted inside to check things out. Little River looked at Fighting Hawk, "What will I have to do here to get food?" Fighting Hawk shrugged, "There are many jobs available that you can do. We have no charity cases in this village, everyone that wants to work, has a job that they can do." She looked suspiciously at him, "You mean that no warrior will come scratching on my lodge flaps in the night, because he put meat in my cook pot?" Fighting Hawk looked shocked, and he growled, "No Cheyenne warrior should ever do something like that, and if you know of one, I want his name." Little River could tell that he meant what he said, or at least she hoped that he meant what he said. She took a deep breath and said, "We will stay here and see what life is like in this village." Fighting Hawk nodded, "Everything that you should need, should be inside. If there is something else just let somebody know. I will have a warrior bring you some food. Talk to the others in the village and see what they have to say, and tomorrow I will stop by and we can talk about what job you would like to try." She nodded. She didn't know if what he said was the truth, but she figured that even if it was like it was in the other village, she wasn't any worse off, and this was a better lodge than the one that she had. She watched Fighting Hawk turn and quickly made his way through the village. ------- Chapter 72 When Fighting Hawk returned to the meeting, the negotiations were over. He dropped softly to the ground beside Gray Eagle. Big Owl leaned forward and spoke softly to Fighting Hawk, Grandfather raked them over the coals. You would think that he was bargaining to keep everything. He must really love cows because he asked for such a large number of them." Fighting Hawk watched Gray Eagle stop what he was doing and give Big Owl a menacing look, but Big Owl just innocently looked back at him. Fighting Hawk whispered to Gray Eagle, "You know how mother always says that you never do anything together? Why don't you put another cow behind your lodge? You can sit and milk cows together, I'm sure that mother would love to spend the time with you, doing something together." Fighting Hawk saw Gray Eagle start to fume before the full impact of his words sank in, and then he watched an evil smile cross his lips. Fighting Hawk knew that there would be two cows behind the lodge, but he didn't think it would be there long. He also wondered if Gray Eagle had considered what would happen to him, if he actually did that. Fighting Hawk shrugged, it would be a learning experience for everybody involved. With the peace talks completed they all rose to their feet. It was Big Cloud that spoke, "Colonel, you have one hour to have your men out of this valley. After that you will be killed where you are found. Tom made his intentions clear, and we guarantee the safety of everyone in the valley. There will be no excuses or negotiations about bothering his women. If any of your men are found here they will die. I suggest that you stress to your men that all of the women in this valley are not to be touched, or even talked to." The Colonel nodded his head. He clearly remembered Mr. Sherman's warning. He turned to the waiting soldiers and told the Lieutenant to get his men mounted up and ready to move out. Big Cloud grinned at the look the demoted officer gave to the colonel. They waited until the army had left the valley before Fighting Hawk entered the house and told his women that they were free to roam around again, and he told Walking Buffalo that he could go back to working on old Pony Walk's house. Walking Buffalo snorted, "Once I showed Black Otter the things that I learned, he ran me off and won't let me go back. I haven't had a tool in my hands in two weeks." Fighting Hawk grinned at the way that things worked out. He had a sudden thought, "Why don't you get some things together and make me my steam room. Black Otter wouldn't know what he was doing anyway, and you have experience in building them now. Just make it big enough to handle all of us." Walking Buffalo grinned at him, "How come I never knew about any of that?" Fighting Hawk smiled back and told him, "That is One of Fighting Hawk's secrets. If I didn't need a steam room, you wouldn't know now, so be glad that you are useful to me." Fighting Hawk watched the shocked look on his face and smiled to him. That evening as they were sitting at the cooking fire of Gray Eagle he said, "You know, I have met some good negotiators in my years, but I don't think that I have ever met anybody that can manipulate people like you can. You knew how to handle the Colonel, the scout, the warrior Running Deer. You knew how to get what you wanted, and how to make them want to give me everything but their first born, and the Colonel probably would have offered that, if he had one. You knew exactly what to say and how to say it to scare them enough to piss on their boots. You coached both of us on our parts and when you started barking at them I swear that you were ready to go to war, and even hungering for it. It frightened me, and I knew what you were doing. You can be a scary man at times, my son." Fighting Hawk shrugged. "It was easy. When you know what frightens somebody, all you have to do is play on their fears, and weaknesses. The white men in Washington do it and the Beavers did it. It isn't hard to do. You just have to convince the other person that you are willing to do the thing that they fear. In the case of the Colonel, it's the death of every white man in these lands, starting with him. Since I really would like to do it, it isn't even acting." Gray Eagle nodded thoughtfully. Big Cloud looked at him and asked, "Where did you go during the meeting?" Fighting Hawk shrugged. "When the warriors returned they brought back a woman and her girls that they couldn't kill. They said that the others weren't an issue, but that they just couldn't kill her. I went to see for myself what was so special about this woman." Big Cloud waited for him to continue, but he just sat there. Finally Big Cloud growled, "Well, what happened?" Fighting Hawk looked at him surprised, "Oh, you want to know how she died? Well, you will be disappointed this time. I didn't kill her. I thought that she as an honorable woman, that hasn't been treated very honorably lately. If what she said is true, we will be paying the other villages a visit. I put her in one of the empty lodges over by Snow Owl's mother, I think that they will have something in common, and they should get along well." Gray Eagle looked troubled, "Just what has she said, that you would need to be traveling to the other villages?" Fighting Hawk frowned and thought before he softly said, "She said that warriors put meat in her cook pot. Then they come to her in the night and expect her to do certain things for them. I noticed that her oldest girl looked over her shoulder when her mother told me. I suspect that she has been approached as well. Warriors like that need to be talked to, and it wouldn't be just me going to talk to them. This is a matter for the Chief of the Cheyenne, and even the War Chief might want to talk to a warrior like that. I will want to talk to the Shaman. I want to see what he has been doing, that blinds him from something so dishonorable." Gray Eagle had a hard look as he nodded his head, "Talk to the woman, and the girls. If what she says is true, I want the names of all of the warriors that don't understand what charity is. When I'm finished with them, they'll understand that mercy and charity go hand in hand, and they'll want mercy." Fighting Hawk looked at Big Cloud and he could see that he remembered his life as a little boy. He could remember that he and his mother depended on the charity of others, and the look on his face said that he wouldn't be so easy on any warrior that abused the widows and orphans. Big Cloud nodded his head, "There are some warriors that will volunteer to be our guards for this trip. I will talk to them and make sure that they are available." Fighting Hawk could imagine who he would pick to visit warriors like that and smiled. He hoped that some of them survived. A living object lesson is better than a dead one. Living ones you see every day, but dead ones are easily forgotten. Fighting Hawk collected some food and set off to visit the Beaver women. Since they were his slaves it was his responsibility to keep them fed and watered. He collected a bucket of water before he got there. He sat and fed them each by hand and noticed that they spent as much time nuzzling his hand as eating and drinking. He cleaned them up and washed the waste away. He turned to leave and saw Little River watching him. He smiled at her and left the Beavers to whisper between themselves. They were each other's only companion. The next day Fighting Hawk and Big Cloud visited Little River, and her girls. They spoke to Little River for more than an hour and got the names of six warriors that had abused her. Big Cloud wanted to go and cut their throats, but Fighting Hawk took his arm and looked him in the eye, "You will do nothing. We, will visit the warriors and you will let me decided what their punishment is, unless you think that you can think up something worse than me." Big Cloud listened and then shook his head, "But, it had better be good." Fighting Hawk nodded his head, "If it isn't good enough, you can always cut their throat after I finish with them." Big Cloud nodded and settled back down. Little River saw that these men were serious about the warriors and she felt bad that she had said anything, as there were still widows depending on them to eat. Fighting Hawk told Little River to stay at the cook fire, and then called Water Flower to them. They told her to sit and she was obviously afraid as she sat down. It took almost an hour of questioning her before she cracked and admitted that there were warriors that had used her. She cried when she told that her own brother had lured her into the woods, to help him with a kill, and then he tied her to a stump and took her the first time. Little River swore as she held her baby as she cried on her shoulder. Little River had hard eyes as she looked at Fighting Hawk, "That little bastard. A woman's first time is supposed to be special, not tied to a stump and used by your own brother. I wish he was still alive, so that I could kill him myself." Fighting Hawk nodded that the understood, but then turned his attentions back on Water Flower. Once she had started it all came out, how he had used her and then sold her to each of his friends. When he cut her off of the stump, he told her that he would kill her if she ever told anybody. After that the other warriors would corner her any time she was away from Little River and use her. She gave list of names to match Little River's list. Fighting Hawk and Big Cloud sat stonily as they called Summer Storm to them. After twenty minutes it looked like they hadn't gotten to her pussy, but they had her sucking cock every chance that they got. Little River was livid with anger. She suddenly saw that she didn't know anything about her own son, and the other warriors were using her girls like cheap whores. It made her sick to her stomach. Fighting Hawk motioned to Soft Rain and she understood. "I'll talk to her. You have enough names, and any names that she might tell you wouldn't deserve to live. I want them punished, not killed. And I want them punished within an inch of their lives, and I want us there to see it." Fighting Hawk nodded, but Big Cloud didn't say or do anything. They gave Little River, and the girls, their best and left the cook fire. As they were walking away Big Cloud's voice was as hard as stone, "Have you thought about what you are going to do with them yet?" Fighting Hawk didn't answer as he guided Big Cloud over to the Beaver women. He sat and fed them and gave them water as Big Cloud calmly waited for him to answer. Fighting Hawk looked up and said, "Have you figured it out yet?" Big Cloud suddenly looked confused. He looked at Fighting Hawk and then he looked around. When he looked back realization hit him, and he grinned and nodded his head. "Yes a lesson in charity, and it would be so appropriate. I love the way your mind works. You make me feel ashamed that I am the War Chief. You are still a much better War Chief than I will ever be. Can't you be both?" Fighting Hawk shook his head, "Shaman, Chief and War Chief can never be the same person, because it takes all three to declare war. It helps keep us safe from people like Little Buffalo, and the Beavers." Big Cloud nodded that he understood, but he still wished that he didn't have this job. Gray Eagle was beside himself when he heard the story of Little River, and her girls. The fact that there were still widows there being abused by them, had him ordering preparations for leaving in the morning. Fighting Hawk looked at Big Cloud, "Do you know what warriors that we will need to have with us? They will have to have a strong stomach and be able to do what must be done. There may be talk, and they would have to live with that." Big Cloud grinned as he said, "I know the ones that we need. They are used to talk, so that won't bother them. They will do what you want done, and they were all orphans with widowed mothers. When they hear what has been done, we won't be able to keep them away." Fighting Hawk nodded and went to make his own preparations. Gray Eagle looked at his retreating back, "Do you know what he is planning?" Big Cloud had a grin that shook Gray Eagle to his core, "Oh yes. You were wrong when you said that he was good at negotiating. That is not what he is good at. He is a master of retribution. It was part of what he was saying about the things that people fear, and he chooses not only the things that people fear, but what is appropriate for what they did. Like what he did with Running Bear, he ran to the Colonel and told him everything that he saw and heard. His punishment left him not able to see, or hear, and he couldn't tell anything. That is retribution. You will understand what I mean by the time that we leave the first village." Gray Eagle nodded. He didn't understand, but if Big Cloud as right, he would soon. The next morning Fighting Hawk showed up at the lodge of Little River. She was ready to go, and Fighting Hawk introduced her to Moon Flower and Little Mule. He explained that they would watch over Summer Storm and Soft Rain, as he didn't think that they needed to be involved in the incident. Little River nodded and gave them over to Moon Flower. Fighting Hawk had two extra horses and he helped Little River and Water Flower up. He knew that they hadn't done much riding and hoped that they would toughen up before too long. It was four days later that they rode into the Cheyenne village. The presence of Gray Eagle caused a stir and everybody turned out. The local leader of the village was beside himself with excitement as he looked at the leaders of the Cheyenne nation in his village. The Shaman was almost worse as he fawned over Fighting Hawk. He quickly got the message that this wasn't a social visit. Fighting Hawk led him off to the spirit lodge, as Gray Eagle led the local leader off to his cook fire. Big Cloud motioned to the warriors and they quickly spread out and surrounded the local people. The message was clear, and it was immediate. Nobody moved as the talk quickly died down. Big Cloud called out names and the warriors called stepped forward. As each stepped forward Big Cloud took his knife and tied his hands. An hour later a somber shaman and village elder watched as the warriors were stripped and tied to the posts. The warriors didn't understand what was happening, but they knew that they were embarrassed. Only women were tied to the posts, and it sent a message to them that they weren't thought of as anything but a woman. Each of them was given a begging bowl in front of their post. None of them would beg, but Fighting Hawk had expected that. He smiled as it was only the first day. They settled down to see how long it would take. The warriors weren't happy about their position, especially when they soiled themselves. The humiliation alone was almost enough to bring tears to their eyes. All of the villagers pretended that it didn't exist. It was late the second day that Big Cloud made the rounds and cleaned up the warriors and put meat in their begging bowls. They quickly made short work of the meat. That night Big Cloud's warriors paid a visit to the warriors on the posts. Everybody in the village heard the screams as they were fucked for the first time. The next day there were a lot of widows visiting the warriors. Little River had talked to every widow in the village. They were very pleased that the warriors were to be punished for their actions, but feared what would happen to them. Little River told of the valley at the main Cheyenne village and the work that awaited them there. She explained that they could work for their food, and never have to depend on charity again. The widows seemed to find the warrior's plight very interesting. Many of them had been on the same end of their attentions and they loved being able to give pointers on how to service their men, and how to make it feel better for them. The warriors were mortified, but weren't able to do anything about it. All of them realized that their actions were coming back to haunt them, and the widows drove the point home, every chance they got. That evening Big Cloud made the rounds and cleaned everybody up and put meat in their begging bowls. None of the warriors would touch the meat. They found out that it didn't matter if they took it or not. The warriors still came in the night, usually in their ass, but some of them decorated their faces. The next morning, their bowls were empty and their spirits were broken. They cried as they begged to be taken off of the posts. The widows grunted in disgust. They moved along the line of warriors calling them names and telling them that they didn't make a very good woman, and they obviously were much of a warrior, if they were tied to a post. The rest of the week settled in and the villagers got past the stigma of the punishment of the warriors. Soon other women were making comments to the warriors, and the children were hitting them with sticks, just like any woman on the posts. The worst part came when one of the young boys dropped his britches and shoved his cock up the ass of one of the warriors. Not only was it daylight where everybody could see, but the other boys were all standing around watching and cheering him on. It was enough to make the warrior cry in front of everybody. When the boy finished they all laughed and ran off. Fighting Hawk was waiting for the boy and gave him a new knife. He showed it to his friends and they all pushed in to admire it. They ran off to see what other trouble that they could find. Fighting Hawk turned to see Little River watching him. He winked at her as he went back to the cook fire of the elder. She watched him leave and wondered at the devious nature of this young warrior, and decided it was good that he was on her side. Gray Eagle led the group of warriors out of the village. He turned to see the group of widows making their way toward the main Cheyenne village. As he looked back at the village he still saw the warriors tied to the posts. The village elder and Shaman would determine when they would be released. He thought about their punishment and decided that Big Could was right. Fighting Hawk had a knack of punishment in the most fitting way of the offense. Retribution was as good a description as anything else. He was a little shocked at the punishment this time, but he had to admit that it fit the crime and it would never be forgotten. He doubted that any warrior would make the same mistake. The other villages had a few similar occurrences, but nothing like the village that Little River had come from. They handled it the same at each village. Fighting Hawk talked to all of the widows and explained the jobs waiting for them, and what they could look forward to, if they wanted to move to the valley. Every village lost some widows and orphans. In some cases it was a good thing, as it lessened the burden on the others. When they had visited all of the villages, Gray Eagle was ready to head home, but Fighting Hawk pointed out that they still needed to locate an area for the Utes to move to. Gray Eagle sighed and nodded. They traveled for almost two weeks before they found a good location with plenty of water and game, and a good place to construct the lodges. Fighting Hawk cut a sapling at about chest high, and tied a red cloth to the top. He then turned to one of the warriors and told him to ride to the Ute village and lead one of them to see the location that had been picked for them, if they close to move into the Cheyenne lands. He told the warrior to tell them that they were free to visit the site as much as they wanted, to make a fair decision. Gray Eagle smiled as the warrior rode off. "You aren't pushing them too hard are you? What was it that you told me the white man did, 'try before you buy.' Just to sink the hook in a little deeper." Fighting Hawk grinned. "Like I told you father, the white man knows how to do some things better than we do. You have to be willing to learn new things all the time." Gray Eagle and Big Cloud laughed as they turned their horses toward home. Big Cloud and Big Owl were happy to be home, until they found out that the library was still waiting for them. Fighting Hawk was almost swamped by widows wanting to show their appreciation. His women showed the widows what they thought of their attention, and things slowly returned to normal. The new crops produced food that the Cheyenne had never seen before, but they found many things that they liked. Bert Huggins had to make a special order for caning supplies. It started a new era in the Cheyenne diet. It was the first time that corn and tomatoes were eaten during the winter. It gave stability to their diet, and in turn the children grew quicker and stronger. The old warriors got healthier, and the women kept their figures through the lean months. Gray Eagle welcomed a new Cheyenne village, and there were widows lining up to meet the new warriors. Fighting Hawk lost a lot of his widow workforce, but he gained some widows and a few more old warriors that wanted to be useful. Some turned out to be good craftsman, once they learned how the jobs were done. Fighting Hawk had a small room added to the side of his house. It didn't connect to the house, but it was attached. It was small, but warm. He felt sorry for the Beaver women when the first snows fell. He cut them free of the posts and led them to Running Deer. They had spent so much time on the posts that their legs could barely hold them up, and they had to help each other walk. When he got them to the smithy he watched as Running Deer attached a chain between their wrists. He led them to his house, and put them in the small room he had built. They had sleeping furs and a stove to cook and stay warm. They still weren't allowed any clothes, and any warrior could use them at any time. They kissed and stroked his arms as they cried their thanks. The winter was long and cold, but the Cheyenne people had plenty to eat, and the livestock had plenty of hay. Gray Eagle found out that Water Lilly didn't appreciate side-by-side milking stools. She made her displeasure known quickly, and Gray Eagle sent his extra cow to Fighting Hawk's house. The women were thrilled to see it, but Fighting Hawk had his doubts about who would be outside milking that cow. He asked Moon Flower if she would like a spanking like Raven got, and her looks told him that she would have somebody else on the milking stool. Fighting Hawk realized that Gray Eagle's only problem was that he didn't have enough women to share the work. He made a comment to Gray Eagle and got a firm shake of his head, "I have enough problems with one woman in my lodge, and she doesn't like competition." Fighting Hawk grinned as left his father milking the cow. Fighting Hawk considered going hunting for the winter. All through the house there was nothing but pregnant women waddling around and being grouchy one minute and laughing the next. He didn't know if it was an improvement over hounding him for babies, but he didn't think so. Spring came and different crops were planted. After they were harvested, the summer crop was planted. The business of surviving was moving forward. Black Otter was doing a record business of building houses. The Cheyenne people had seen the difference it made in old Pony Walk, and if Fighting Hawk could live in a house, then they didn't see any reason that they couldn't. By the end of summer there was a complete town springing up in the valley. A general store was built and Bert Huggins stocked it out of his trading post. Running Deer built another smithy to handle the needs of the town and in short order there was even a restaurant. When Mei and Su found out about the restaurant they had to have him build them a Chinese restaurant. They started a craze for the Chinese food. The spices were also in high demand. Late summer started the baby delivery. Not very surprising Sara was the first with another girl. She smiled at him and said that they could try again for a boy. Fighting Hawk saw that it could be a never-ending fight to make all of them happy. Little Mule finally caught and gave him a little girl that looked just like her mother. Fighting Hawk was happy to see her, but Little Mule was upset that she hadn't given him a boy. Fighting Hawk just smiled and kissed her. She told him that they could try again and he looked at her like she had been listening at keyholes. Raven gave him another little boy and she was proud. She didn't care if she ever had a girl, and secretly hoped that she didn't. She was sure that it would share her love for pain, and one pain slut in the family was enough. Mei and Su seemed to be in complete sync. When one went into labor, the other started almost immediately. They squatted side by side and delivered a boy and a girl. Mei was proud of her boy, but Su whispered that she would make sure that her girl knew how to keep all of her sisters happy. Mei looked envious, but pointed out that a man wasn't born to be a slave. They both laughed as they cuddled their babies. Janet dropped next and she was happy with a boy. Fighting Hawk refused to let her name him after her father. He said that he would have a good Cheyenne name, and if he ever needed a white name, then they would consider it then. Pretty Storm had finally caught and she gave him another girl. Fighting Hawk wondered what he was going to do with all of the girls in one place. He could see the trouble brewing when they started to compete with each other. Fighting Hawk had to get out of the house just to get a little peace and hoped that it would get better with time, but he seriously doubted it. He knew that he had always wanted to spend his life as a simple Cheyenne warrior, and now he had a reason to go hunting every day. He started taking the Beaver women with him. After he drilled into their heads that they had to be quiet, he taught them to walk as quiet as a soft breeze. He would hunt, and they carried his kills back. They grew strong and healthy. When they started dropping hints that they wanted to have his baby, he threatened to cut out their tongues with a dull knife. They stopped hinting, but it didn't stop the looks that they gave him. With them always gone hunting with him the other warriors stopped using them. They followed the example of his other women and kept themselves amused and happy. It was a year later, with another batch of children that Big Cloud and Big Owl finished their duty in the library. H quizzed them constantly, and knew that they had learned everything that was available to them. He called Storm Cloud and asked about the protectors that he was training. He smiled and told Fighting Hawk that they were ready any time that he needed them. He told him how Ming and Ping had taught them hand to hand fighting, and then how to use knives. Storm Cloud told him how he had taught them the pistol and rifle, and they were as fast as he was. Fighting Hawk asked if their English was acceptable and Storm Cloud nodded his head and told him that he had even taught them to read and write, and the benefits of making notes. Fighting Hawk told him to get them ready to leave, and Storm Cloud nodded his head as he left. Fighting Hawk called Walking Buffalo to come to him. When he got there Fighting Hawk explained that he was sending another group to Washington and said that if he didn't want to go, he would need to find him another carpenter to take his place. Walking Buffalo thought for a long moment before he said, "There are things that I miss living in Washington, but I would rather be here. I will send you my best man and let him learn the things that I have learned." Fighting Hawk nodded his head. Next he called Night Owl to him. This time he didn't give an option, "I need a good farmer to go with a group to Washington. I want you to go with them. You will need to be their guide, and teach them what to look out for. You will need to teach your man what he needs to do, and how to do it. Once you get them settled in, I want you to take your man with you to Magnolia House and check on Randolph. Make sure that he is handling things right. You know what to do if he isn't. Let your man learn what you have learned, and see how much more he can learn before he comes back. Once you have everybody settled, you can return, or stay there. The option is yours. If you want to take your women, that option is also yours." He didn't look happy, but he nodded and left to prepare for the trip. Fighting Hawk summoned Big Cloud and Big Owl. When they got there he asked them to sit. "I am sending another group to Washington. When they get there Little Fox will show them how we do business and work for the Cheyenne people. I will be sending two protectors to make sure that you stay safe. I will also be sending Night Owl to make sure that you get there without any problems. He will be bringing another farmer to learn what he can about different crops. Walking Buffalo will also be sending a man to work and learn what he can." Fighting Hawk looked at Big Cloud, "I wish that I could send you, but the Cheyenne people need you here as their War Chief." Fighting Hawk looked at Big Owl, "Well Paul, it looks like you are going to have to be a white man again. As much as it pains me to send you, I need a man that I can trust. You two are the ones that I trust most. I have taught both of you everything that I can to prepare you for protecting the Cheyenne people. It will be in different ways, but it is still the same thing. The people will die without you doing your jobs. I can't do it all alone, and I can't be everywhere at the same time. I am depending on you to carry part of the load." He watched the two young men struggle with his words. Big Cloud stood and hugged Fighting Hawk, "I won't let you down, father." Fighting Hawk raised his eyebrow and looked at him. He grinned, "I've always thought of you as a father. But don't forget, you married my mother." He grinned and Fighting Hawk playfully slapped him on the back of the head. When Fighting Hawk turned his attention to Big Owl he said, "Father, I understand the reason for this, but I don't have to like it. Like you, I love the Cheyenne people and what it means to be Cheyenne. I mourned your loss when you had to leave. I know that it had to be done. Now it is my turn, it isn't any better, and I hate the idea of being away from you again. But, once again it has to be done. I will do what must be done. That is the one thing that you have taught me. No matter how bad it is, if it has to be done, then get it done. I learned a lot when you rid the Cheyenne of the Beavers. It taught me that when you remove a threat, remove all of the threat. I don't know how you are fighting the white man, but I will learn when I get there. I will do what must be done, and then I will come home, to my people." Fighting Hawk smiled and nodded his head. "You will leave in the morning. Prepare what you will take, and prepare yourselves to be white men. You will be in charge, and you will answer for what goes wrong. You will return to stand here, before me, and tell me what you have done to help our people. The others are there to protect you and to learn what they can learn, but you are the one that answers to me. Make sure that they know who is in charge, and lead them." Fighting Hawk watched as he nodded his head and turned to leave. He saw tears in his eyes and knew that he had some of his own. When the girls found out that the men were going to Washington they made a list of what they wanted and gave it to Night Owl. Since he wasn't taking his women, Fighting Hawk thought that he wouldn't be gone very long. The next morning Fighting Hawk was there to see the men off. They looked strange with their hair cut and wearing store bought clothes. Paul was wearing the shoulder holstered pistol that Tom had carried. He was just learning to use it. Fighting Hawk spoke to them one last time, before they left. "I will tell you the one thing that I told the men that left with me. From this moment we are white men, and we speak English until we reach this spot again." Fighting Hawk watched them ride out of the valley. After they were gone, he went to the cook fire of Gray Eagle. He coughed respectfully and Gray Eagle came out and sat at the fire. "Well father, they are gone. The next phase of the plan is in place. My son is carrying the torch, and his son will follow him, and it will continue until the Cheyenne are safe. It hasn't been easy, and it won't be easy. But, with what we have done, we should be able to keep the Cheyenne people safe." Gray Eagle nodded his head. "It was my plan, but I didn't know how to do it. What I thought was but a simple idea that you nurtured and grew until it came time to harvest. Like the crops in the valley, we are trying things that we have never had, but they suit us and we grow strong. Maybe the next crop will offer something that will make us stronger still." It is the End of Tom's adventures ------- The End ------- Posted: 2007-11-24 Last Modified: 2012-01-16 / 11:54:45 pm Version: 2.20 ------- http://storiesonline.net/ -------