Georgetown.
This morning I was working on case notes when Icca knocked on my door. He invited me for coffee and I told him I was expecting Bravo any minute. Bravo walked in and we agreed to go out for coffee together at the saloon.
“You know, Bravo was a confederate too,” Icca pointed out as we sat down.
“Hey. I still am. Once a confederate always one.”
“This is true.”
“I know,” I nodded, remembering that fact.
We continued to talk and then Icca headed out of the saloon. Bravo said there was a brotherhood between soldiers and I looked at him. “Bravo.. What happened in Kansas?”
“Whatcha mean?” he raised an eyebrow.
“Something happened in Kansas... Between the Confed soldiers and the blacks... I know there was slavery but I’m feeling like it’s more than that.”
“Well... that actually happened in Tennessee.”
“So then what happened in Kansas?”
“Well not much. I was there at the Fort Pillow massacre where Forrest ordered us or kill over 1500 black soldiers an there families.”
“Tennessee... Is that close to Kansas?”
“No... but I think I know what you’re asking about. The massacre at Lawrence, Kansas. Quantrills raiders burnt the town down... killed all the men.”
“Were blacks involved?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Yes.”
I felt like I’d just cracked the case and smiled wide. “It was the confed soldiers doin the killing, right?”
“No. Confederate guerillas.”
“A gang dressed up like the Confed soldiers?”
“Men who fought for the south..... behind Yankee lines. They raided killed an plundered .. they were denied amnesty at the end of the war.”
I leaned forward, thinking of the tragedy that poor little girl must have seen. “Bravo.... Do you know a little girl named Emily? She’s a mulatto...”
“Yes... I tried to be kind to her... but she was afraid of me.”
“That makes sense...” I nodded.
“I think something bad happened to her.”
“I think so too. And I think it has to do with what you just told me. She came to the sheriff’s office with this blue plastic button..” I took the button out and showed it to him. “Very rare... but not very expensive. Still.. You’d have to have money to get it. It led us to realize that she was from Kansas... Then we started noticing who she ran from...”
“Well most southern troops didn’t like blacks so it could have been anywhere.”
“Yeah but Twist was insistent she’d seen a button like that in Kansas when she did her dress-making out there.”
“But most didn’t fight ‘cause of that.”
“I know,” I put a hand on his knee and played with the button in my fingers.
“Well I’m not sure... I fought in Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky and Georgia so I wouldn’t know.”
“But you knew Emily,” I nodded.
“I’ve seen her around and how she runs from anything confederate.”
I asked if he wanted to dance and we danced together while I continued to think about Emily. Then I remembered something. “Bravo... She doesn’t just run from Confederate soldiers... I remember Lil saying that she hides from Yankees too...”
“Hmm... Well I’m not sure then.”
“Seems like this case presents more questions than answers.”
After a while I headed back to the office to get some work done.
***
Tonight I went to knock on Bravo’s door, hoping he would be home. I needed him to come with me to the Cherokee village and he agreed to come along.
Wyoming.
I explained to him that we would have to call across the log and when I did, Chief invited us into the village. I met a woman named Leoti and a man named Adahy. In the tribe, Ahawi, Ahyoke and the chief were sitting by the fire as well.
“Who do you bring?” Chief asked, looking at Bravo.
I felt suddenly nervous, unsure how this conversation would go, and said, “This is my friend, Bravo. He is part-Native. I have known him a very long time. I didn’t want to go through the City of Mines alone.” I saw him eyeing Bravo cautiously and smiled. “He is harmless. Chief I was hoping we could talk...”
“Man with firestick on each hip can go from harmless to dangerous quickly,” Chief laughed. “Who wish to talk, you or your friend?”
“The path from my home to here is very dangerous, Chief. You know this,” I said and he nodded. “I was wanting to talk... to you about... something..”
“We talk at fire?” he asked.
“That’s fine,” I nodded.
“You have your friend remove firesticks, then come sit,” Chief instructed. “I do not know this man. I he remove firestick he can sit at fire and we talk.”
“Just leave the guns in the snow, they’ll be fine,” I told Bravo and he did so, nodding.
Chief motioned towards the fire and we sat down there with them. I was nervous and looked over at him. “Chief... When we first met we spoke of an arrangement between me and you and my friends who were marshals...” I said as the chief took out his pipe and a pouch of tobacco, offering some to Adahy. “We would help keep your tribe safe, you would let us know of attacks by outlaws and we would go after them with the authority we had... Was I mistaken in that arrangement?”
“I will speak after I light pipe,” Chief looked at me and finished lighting his pipe as Bravo stayed quiet.
“Your words are true Trin, but if Cherokee catch them before Paleface law, then they face Cherokee justice.”
“Okay,” I nodded. “So when Chief gets attacked by three men a couple of weeks ago and he does not give information of his attackers... You didn’t give paleface law anything to work with. We couldn’t even try.”
He looked at me, frowning. “How can I give what I do not have to give?”
“You saw these men, did you not? Recognized them enough that if you saw them again you would give them your Cherokee justice?” she tries to speak calmly.
“Trin, I was beaten, as Ahawi, she helped to treat me. I was able to kill one who came too close but my vision was blurred,” he said and I sighed, knowing he was right but still felt out of the loop. “I gave you same information I would use to hunt them myself, both will have bad cuts on arms, that is all I knows.”
“You just made it seem like it was no big deal, Chief. Like I didn’t need to know about it,” I nodded with a sigh.
“Adahy are my words not true, have I told anyone of our family hat I could recognize these men?” Chief asked.
“No, Chief. When I asked who had done you harm, so I could scout for them, you could tell me not what they looked like.”
“I’m not so much talking about the fact you had no details for me, Chief...” I shook my head. “It was the way in which you told me about the attack. As if it was none of my business and I didn’t have to worry about it.”
“Trin, I have known you for many moons, do you believe I would hide something such as this from you?”
“No, I don’t believe you would hide anything from me. I just felt... Not needed.”
“I will say this again Trin. If I catch these men, I will capture them and bring them here to the village to be tied to pole and let women administer justice to them. At the same time, I am not the eagle who flies high and sees all things, I am but a man and if i could tell you what they look like I would. I only know they will have several bad cuts on their arms. More than this, i do not know.”
“I just thought...” I sighed.
“If you catch them I know you would see that they were arrested and taken to white man’s court.”
“Chief with all due respect you’re still missing my point.”
“Then what is your point?”
“My point is that regardless of whether or not you knew who these men were or could describe them to me... The way in which you told me about the attack was such that I felt like an outsider. Like you didn’t want or need my help.”
Ahawi asked then, “May I say something?”
“Trin... do you come to Cherokee every time you need help?” Chief asked and nodded to Ahawi.
“Trin, when you met with chief his wounds were fresh, our feelings were fresh,” she said.
“Honestly? Yes. I come to either Cherokee or Cheyenne and tell of the things I have gone through that day,” I nodded to the chief. “When Vlad and Slick Jesse came to town, I came here to warn your tribe and tell you of their danger. When there was a fire in my newspaper office I came here. When I first came here, I told you about all of my past... Everything that had happened. When Harley shot down my friend Kale in Nebraska... I came here.” I tried to think of other examples but couldn’t.
“Trin...” Ahawi started.
“Ahawi, I understand. The wounds were still fresh,” I said. “But I was treated as one who wasn’t welcome to the problems of your village anymore.”
“Adahy do you wish to speak Brother?” Chief asked, catching his gaze.
“With your permission, Chief,” he nodded.
“Speak, brother,” Adahy nodded.
I sighed, looking into the fire. I felt like that first night when I had explained to them how I’d not longed to stay in the village but that I wanted to help them fight the outlaws that had fought me.
Adahy looked me over and said, “I do not know this one, but she seems like scout for White Man. I am scout for Cherokee. We will cross tracks in the snow...if Chief wishes, I can be his ears when in the snows, and speak his words if news can be given to other scouts.”
“Chief...” I shook my head and hesitated as he put away his pipe. “Chief, a scout is not emotionally connected. A scout doesn’t share their tragedies with the people they are scouting.”
“Adahy... I trust you Brother, to be loyal to Cherokee and I trust you to have the good sense to know when it is in the interest of all men, Red or White to share information if it helps to catch evil men and bring them to justice,” Chief said to him. I wondered if the chief was even listening to me and stared at the fire, occasionally looking at Bravo. “Brother if you have information from time to time that you believe Trin should know, then do so.”
“It will be as you say,” Adahy nodded.
“Trin, I have listened to your words. Do you not wish to share information with a Cherokee scout... or receive information from him?” Chief asked.
I looked over at Adahy and nodded with a reluctant sigh. “I guess that will be fine, Chief.”
“What do you not like about this?” Chief asked.
“Trin, what more would you like?” Ahawi asked too.
“It’s fine. That arrangement will work,” I shook my head.
“Trin if you have thoughts that you have not put into words, then do so now. Do not come back in seven suns and say we do not listen,” Chief told me. “You are here to speak and we wish to hear all of your words.”
“I just felt like the way you talked to me in that case that I wasn’t apart of the ‘family’, so to speak. That I was just an outsider who wasn’t emotionally involved in your group. I understand that you do want to give me information and we will work together... It’s just that on a personal level, Chief...”
“Trin you have said that many times, we understand that you felt that way but saying it more times than the whippporwill sings his song at night does not change anything,” Chief said.
“Trin, chief is warrior, he thinks like warrior,” Ahawi said. “He does not always think of feelings. He is a man, after all.”
“We have never said we do not want your help, when we need it we will not hesitate to ask and we believe your heart is good and that you only wish to help to stop bloodshed,” Chief promised.
“Okay,” I nodded. “I will consult with Adahy about information in the future and we will go from there.”
“Trin, have we ever turned you away in this village when you want to speak? And has a single cherokee every drawn a drop of your blood? Have you every not been allowed to take food when you come here?” Chief asked and I shook my had at each question with a sigh.
I looked at the stars in the sky and then over at Bravo, then back at the chief. “Perhaps we should get back before it’s too dark.”
“Were you not given shelter by us when evil men sought to bring harm to you?” Chief asked.
“I believe that was my point earlier but yes.”
“Then do not treat the Cherokee as if they were becoming your enemy. We are not, you are regarded as a friend here. Adahy,” he looked over at the man.
“Yes, brother?”
“If you believed she could help you to find one that you sought, would you hesitate to ask her assistance?”
I nodded, though that wasn’t my intent at all in my expressions.
“No, I would not Chief. One stands alone in the face of doubt. Many stand strong,” Adahi said.
“We have a plan then,” I nodded in agreement.
“Trin would you hesitate to ask help from Adahy if you believe he could help you catch a criminal?” Chief asked.
I shook my head and said. “We will have open communication.”
“Then I see no issue here.”
“Neither do I,” I looked over at Adahy and then back at Bravo.
“Then all is well,” Chief smiled. “Do need food for your journey home?”
“We will be okay. Wado, Chief,” I shook my head.
“Next time you come, come with smile, not frown,” Chief nodded.
I nodded and stood with Bravo. “Adahy, we will be in touch I’m sure.”
“I will walk with them to the edge of the village,” Adahy offered.
“What you say your friend is called?” Chief asked.
“Bravo,” I introduced. “Wado, Chief. Safe paths, everyone.”
“Bravo, you may wear firestick now,” he instructed.
“Thank you chief... for your hospitality,” Bravo nodded and spoke finally.
“If you are friend of Trin we will see you as friend, if you trick us, we kill you.”
“He is friend, Chief. I promise,” I insisted. “Have I ever brought anyone here who I did not consider friend?”
“No, you have not Trin. Adahy, you will walk with them?”
“Yes Chief, I will.”
“Has anyone I brought here turned on you in violence?” I asked.
“Not yet...”
“Have a good night, then,” I smiled at him and led Bravo out of the village with Adahy. When we’d reached the entrance of the village, Adahy handed me an arrow. “Wado, my friend.”
“You will know these feathers, these markings,” he said. “If you see them, you will know I am near. And it is good to meet another scout.”
“Just so you know... I fear going through the City of Mines unprotected,” I explained.
“If you wish, I will travel with you that far,” Adahy offered as Bravo put his gun belt back on.
“Well, I have Bravo tonight... But some nights I am alone or just have my wolf Spirit. My newspaper office is just over the river into Georgetown... I’m not sure if you’re comfortable meeting there though?”
“I have seen your tracks and will remember now. If I am hunting and see you, I will keep eyes close and aide as friend.”
“Wado. And I the same,” I nodded.
“I know you did not get what you wanted tonight,” he said and I looked at him, wondering how he knew. “But Chief is Chief, and Cherokee. His wounds have healed. His pride, may not yet have. So he must speak with the tongue of the bear.”
“I understand that part,” I nodded. “I just... I listed so many times that I came here for his help. He acted as if he’d forgotten.”
“You know that Chief will marry soon, yes? And that he has recently taken a child to protect and raise?” he asked and I nodded, wondering what that has to do with anything. “Chief has many things in his thoughts....perhaps your words were heard, and in time, will take root.”
“We should head home... Wado again for your friendship.”
“It is good, Wado for your trust,” he smiled.
“Just so you know as well... I myself will never be armed,” I shook his hand. “I am a deputy in Georgetown but out here... I am a Pinkerton and I do not wear a gun. have respected the Chief’s wishes on not wanting to be there with weapons.”
“I am Adahy, son of Atohi, and it is good to make a new friend,” Adahy reached out his hand for Bravo.
“Have a good night my friend,” I said and we walked home.
Georgetown.
We walked into town and I looked over at Bravo. “What the heck was that?” I finally asked.
“Was what?” he chuckled.
“That conversation... I tried to get an apology out of him and he backed me into a corner making me feel like I had to apologize to him.”
“He’s native. They’re very prideful,” he shrugged.
“My house or yours? I’m exhausted,” I sighed.
“My house, I guess. It’s closer,” he nodded.
“By ten feet,” I chuckled. “Lead the way.”
We walked into the house and I started to pace, feeling irritable. “I just can’t believe... After all the times I... After all that time,” I said as I paced, “After all those times I went there after having a hard day... He still has the nerve to ask ‘Have you always come here for help?’ And then he makes me feel like the bad guy... When he didn’t even.. And I..”
“Let’s go lay down and relax... I was getting upset as well, but I’m not gonna let him win.”
I remembered the night Chief had inspected me in the cave and tried to block it out of my mind. I kept pacing and Bravo smirked, walking over calmly and slowly. He scooped me in his arms and tried to carry me upstairs.
“Bravo!” I exclaimed, surprised by the movement as I looked into his eyes. “How’d you get to be so strong?”
“By lifting women like you,” he winked and I didn’t even bother resisting as he placed me on the bed and curled up next to me. I sighed contentedly and lay in his arms, falling asleep instantly.
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