October 30, 1869

Kansas. 

This evening I rode over to the Cheyenne village and greeted Sasha and Hawk’s daughter Sequoia. “Well aren’t you a cutie,” I said to the girl. I’ve known your daddy a long time.”

“Hi Trin. Nice to meet you,” Sequoia greeted me. 

“She’s a polite one too. Hawk raised you well,” I smiled. 

“She is teaching me manners,” Sasha laughed. “No longer allowed to call him old.” 

“Wise, right?” I chuckled. 

“I not always polite - but I try,” Sequoia smiled. 

“How are things going out here? I thought I would walk out and see ya’ll.” 

“S’pecially when I hungry...” Sequoia muttered. 

“Are you hungry now sweetie?” Sasha asked her. 

“I am - now you mention it,” Sequoia laughed and Sasha brought her over to the fire. She invited me to come eat with them and we sat by the fire until Hawk arrived. 

“Hello Hawk,” I greeted him. 

“Haaahe Trin, how are you this moon?” 

“I’m alright, Hawk. Things have been mighty quiet lately. Thought I’d come see what was going on out here. Things have been peaceful?” I looked between Sasha and Hawk. 

“For the most part yes. We were attacked this morning, however.” 

“You were?” 

“Attacked by whom?” 

“Some outlaws, I was not here, but Sequoia was hiding and heard it all.

“I was not in village either,” Hawk said. 

“Said one of the ladies was blond wit a bandana,” Sasha said. “They shot Gracie and ran off.” 

“There was more than one person there?”

“Red would have chased after them, be he chose to stay and care for Gracie. Two, I believe.” 

“I’ve met Red...” I looked at her. “Know anything other than that she was blonde and had a bandana?”

“Yes, he’s a fine warrior,” Sasha nodded. “Should ask Sequoia when she wakes from her nap.” 

“You’re well protected here by the mountains and trees though, aren’t you?”

“For the most part, but we have plenty here and the outlaws seek to get our food and horses.” 

“I understand... You have good food,” I said, finishing the food in front of me. 

“Yes some do find us and come to try and take from us,” Hawk nodded. 

“This needs to stop. You have children here,” I looked at Hawk. “We need to get a description of these people and put an end to this.”

“We do what we can and our tribe is growing fast,” Sasha said. “Soon, we will be able to defend it better.” 

“All the more reason to have more protection,” I said. 

“Trin, they come when I am here this will stop,” Hawk grinned at me. 

“This is true,” I smiled. “I always feel safe when you are here.”

“So do I... lots of place to hide behind him,” Sasha chuckled. 

“He’s been a good friend for a long time.. I’ve come to him many times for protection and wisdom,” I nodded. 

“I asked him for advice once on hunting an alligator.”

“Oh?” 

“He told me to jump on his head....I got bit twice. Very very bad advice.” 

“Oh Hawk...” I chuckled. “Funny now ... At the time, not so much right?”

“He was hiding at the top of a hill...I should have known something was up. You did not give time to 

ask if I was teasing,” Hawk chuckled. “Just jump off hill. Bam, on its head you were.” 

“Oh I remember very well,” Sasha laughed. 

“Was teasing her and she jump off hill on it head,” Hawk chuckled and we laughed. 

“Okay I have to ask. Sasha, how did he propose?”

“Who proposed?” Sasha asked. 

“Hawk, you didn’t propose? Oh! I’m sorry, you’re not married...?” I chuckled. 

“I’m too stubborn for that so he just claimed me,” Sasha said. 

“I’m so sorry, I just assumed...” I said, embarrassed. 

“It’s all right, we are together, but he has his work cut out for him for marriage.” 

“Yes, she very stubborn,” Hawk laughed. “She does too, she just doesn’t know it yet.” 

“Sounds like you two are perfect for each other,” I chuckled and they talked about how happy they were and how old Hawk would have to be when they got married. It felt good to joke with them and socialize. Some others from the tribe came over and I socialized with them too before heading back home before it got to be too dark.