November 10, 1869

Wyoming. 

This morning I sat in the village and talked with a Native named Nizhoni about how long she had lived there. Dances with Fire came over and we made breakfast together. Chief Standing Bear came over to join us and I told him I was feeling a lot better for the first time in a long time. 

“I’ve been thinking, Chief,” I started as he sat down beside me. 

“What are you thinking?” 

“I was thinking... Maybe it’s time to give up the law practice and become a private investigator again. That way I’m not called upon when they need to go arrest someone... because as detective I could be called into that role. I need peace, Chief, and I’m not gonna get that while having the law title hanging over me.”

“If that is the path Great Spirit has for you then you must follow it,” Bear nodded. 

We noticed a man walk into the village without announcing himself and the chief told him to ask for permission before entering. I brought Dances with Fire over to me while the chief talked with the man and we went into the tent to talk about how I was looking more Native with my new outfits. We heard gunshots outside and I hoped the intruder had been taken down and Two Moons came to tell us that everything had been taken care of. 

Kansas. 

This evening I rode over to Kansas and talked with the Cheyenne tribe near the fire. They said it had been quiet lately and I was glad to hear it. We talked about how I had been visiting with Chief Standing Bear and Betty’s tribes and that they had welcomed me. 

“I have decided to give up the law practice and focus on being a private investigator. I still have to talk to Charles and Brent over in Nebraska but I think that they will understand.”

“Ahh what does this investigator do?” Hawk asked. 

“Same thing, basically, just won’t be called on for gunfights and that sort of thing. “See... as long as I’m working directly with the law... there’s a chance I would be called for that. I am done with violence. I need to rest my soul and start fresh. But this doesn’t mean I want to stop helping people and finding the truth.”

“You are law alliance” 

“Right. The connection between citizen and marshal,” I nodded to Hawk. 

“The Chippewa were attacked again yesterday,” Sasha informed me. 

“Were they? That’s Betty’s tribe, yes?’

“Yes.” 

“It’s been five days since their last attack... Do they know by whom?”

“Yes, it was Buu again.” 

“When I was healing them, the name of Harley was mentioned,” Two said. 

“Was he alone?” I asked, not surprised at the news that Harley was involved. 

“I do not know. I was called when most of the fighting was over.” 

“Yes. Outlaw’s name is Honey Boo Boo or something like this,” Hawk told me. 

“Actually... Betty’s tribe has not been attacked in over a week. And it was the Black brothers who attacked them last. It is interesting he is canvasing the tribes. Was Buu alone or did he have Turner with him?” I asked. 

“He just likes the battle, no reason to him,” Hawk said. 

“Doesn’t give him a right to do it so often,” I looked at him, knowing he was right. 

“All indications seem to show he was alone this time,” Sasha said. 

“Good to know, Sasha.”

“Some are only happy when they can give misery to others,” Two said. 

“Doesn’t make it right, Two..” I looked at her. 

“I agree some are like this. Got piece of paper, lot of colors, says something of a Circus in Iowa in seven suns from now, you get one of these papers yet Trin?” 

“No, I haven’t seen this yet,” I said and took the flyer he offered, reading it over. “That looks like fun! Hawk I was wondering... perhaps you could help me out with this... I want to know more of your language. Yours... Chief Bear’s... So that tribe members will feel more comfortable with me.”

“Well ours is different from Cherokee but know some of their language too,” Hawk nodded. 

“That’s why I want to learn both.”

“Our name came from the Sioux, who called us, ‘people of a strange tongue’,” Two explained.  

Hawk gave me a book that he had written with a bunch of Cheyenne words in it and I thanked him, grateful for the help. They explained to me that they didn’t have a word for ‘goodbye’, as Cheyenne people didn’t believe in the concept. We continued to talk about languages and it was good to relax and hang out with them for a while. 

Wyoming. 

I walked into the Cherokee village and saw a large crowd around the fire. Chief Standing Bear motioned for me to come beside him and I went to stand beside him nervously, not sure what was going on. 

“Brothers and Sisters, I wish to speak to the Family,” he started. “Brothers and sisters, this Paleface woman... she is called Trin. s our family knows we are generally untrusting of most Paleface and will not let them remain in our village over night,” he said. I looked over at Ahawi, grateful to know at least one person in the crowd, and she smiled back at me encouragingly. “I have been speaking with her for five suns. She came in peace and wishes to see less attacks against the native peoples.” 

“Tell them I’ll never wear a weapon,” I whispered to him. 

“And will work with our people, and those few paleface that she knows can be trusted. She has a good heart to our people, she asks nothing of us except a place to stay for short time to hide from. Outlaws that may try to come and kill or capture here because of knowledge she has of bad crimes they have committed. I have also guaranteed by my word, her safety from harm against her by the Cherokee People. She is a friend of our people and she is trustworthy. She does not nor will she carry a weapon.

“May I speak Standing Bear?” Howling Bear asked then. 

“Brothers and sisters, she is not to harmed or mistreated while she is here. She is to be treated as honored guest under our protection. If Paleface should come asking if we have seen one such as her... you are to give no information that would allow them to discover her. I will allow her now to say words then Brother you may speak,” he looked at Howling Bear and then to me. “Trin... you may say words to our people.” 

I took a deep breath and said, “Everyone, I know that this seems a bit strange... and I may not know the ways of your people yet... But for months I have been finding solace and peace in tribes such as yours. Chief Hawk is a close friend and mentor and I assure you I wouldn’t be alive today if it weren’t for his protection. I once worked directly with local law in past towns as a detective... I have chosen to give up that life and just work towards providing peace for people like you... The same people who are attacking the villages in the surrounding area are the same ones who have attacked me in the past. I seek to leave that life of violence that has haunted me for many moons... I seek a fresh start, a new life of peace. My only crimes were being witness to things that were better left unseen. Your chief has protected me the past few days already, and I feel as though I can trust him, and therefore trust you. He has welcomed me into this village as a friend, as is evidenced by the bracelet he has given me. I thank you all for your understanding ... and if you have any questions I will discuss anything with you. I am an open book and will not lie to you or betray your trust. If situations occur where you should need protection ... I have friends who are marshals and those are the ones I would go to for advice and help. Again, I’d like to thank you for the welcomeness I’ve already felt here.” I smiled and looked over at the chief, indicating I was done. 

“Brother, you wish to ask a question?” Standing Bear asked Howling Bear then. 

“No Standing I was going to offer the white woman the same protection I would a child and to keep her safe as I would one of my own...” he offered and I smiled at him. 

“Wado, brother. Does any other Brother or Sister wish to speak to this?” Chief asked and I saw Howling’s wife nod to me in agreement. 

“I have a question,” One of the women said. 

“Sister, speak,” Chief nodded. 

“How do we know if these plaefaces won’t attack if she is here?” 

“Can I?” I looked at the chief. 

“Sister if they learn that she is here they may very well attack. But we do not want to give them any information that would tell them that. If they do attack, we will defend our village,,,we will defend our people and this woman as if she were one of us.” 

“Okay, then she is safe here then.” 

“Trin, speak,” Chief nodded. 

“I want to assure you all... I have moved far away from the people that wanted to cause me harm for a reason. I live in a town between Hawk’s village in Kansas and here in Wyoming. No one from my past life that would want to harm me has any way of knowing that I live in this area now.”

“I asked her to come here to be introduced so each of you could see her face and recognize her if you see her in the village. she needs to go now to her place of concealment. Before she goes does anyone else wish to speak?” No one had anything further to say so Chief said, “Trin, go to your hiding place.” 

“Thank you all,” I nodded and then Dances with fire came over to me and hugged me tight. “Thank you, sweetie,” I whispered to her. 

“You be safe here,” she grinned. “You welcomes!” 

“Good night, everyone,” I said and headed to my asi to rest.