Wyoming.
This morning I rode over to visit the Cherokee tribe. I talked with Sounds of Thunder and Dark Rain for a while and then headed on.
Georgetown.
I headed to the saloon and talked with a boy who was six years old. Mel and Karan came over to join me and we talked about their grand opening for the Spread Eagle coming up soon. I asked if I could put an ad about the opening in the paper and Karan said that would be a great idea. Karan promised to give Downy, my Georgetown representative, a writeup about the new business, as well as some pictures.
“You go back to Amiville any, Trin?” Karan asked eventually.
“Never. Never again, Karan,” I told her.
“I understand,” she nodded.
“It’s in the past... I intend to leave it there.”
“Good idea. I am a big believer in moving forward,” Karan nodded again.
“Georgetown is great anyways,” Twist agreed.
“I like it here. Miss Downy has been wonderful to us.”
After talking with the three ladies for a little while longer, I headed back home.
Nebraska.
I headed to the sheriff’s office and met Sheriff Deputy Stefano Sancho. I told him about the newspaper I ran and we talked about how quiet things were in the winter.
Georgetown.
I walked back to the saloon in Georgetown and found a crowd there. A man played the banjo on stage and Adder was serving drinks behind the bar.
“Got some drink left for me back there, Taurus?” I asked him. Adder nodded and passed me some whiskey. “Always a pleasure, Taurus.” I looked at him and then said, “So I had an interesting visitor the other night... Not even gonna hazard a guess?”
“A bear?” Adder guessed after some thought.
“Well I guess in your perspective that’d be appropriate of a nickname...” I chuckled. “Though perhaps weasel or snake would be more appropriate of an animal metaphor...”
“Bill’s there?” Aurora laughed.
“A certain sheriff,” I looked at him.
Adder didn’t seem interested in talking about Logan’s visit so we continued to talk and enjoy the music and company of the folks in the saloon. Women danced on stage and Sugar and Adder continued to serve drinks.
I headed out of the saloon and found Manipi wandering over. I threw some food for the dog as more people gathered at the saloon. We wandered around and then in Nebraska he chased down a rabbit.
Kansas.
At Hawk’s village, Manipi and I visited with the Cheyenne tribe and talked with them about how things had been lately. “Sasha I saw the strangest thing here yesterday,” I told her, remembering the odd snowman I’d seen yesterday.
“What is that you saw?”
“Well this snowman here with his bow and arrow right... There was another snowman on the ground with an arrow in his chest,” I chuckled.
“It’s still there? Two and I had fun with snow yesterday. We tend to get creative on slow days,” she chuckled.
“Whatever keeps ya busy!” I smiled.
“Hawk and I also adopted another child two days ago,” she nodded.
“Oh did you? Boy or girl?”
“Little DD. She is a little girl now tho she wants to be a boy when she turns six,” Sasha laughed softly.
“Let’s see how that works out for her hmm?” I smiled. “I think I’ve met her before. She’s the one who said I should be with Red, right?”
“I wouldn’t be surprised, she is here a lot.”
“I have to say it’s nice to have some company while I do the rounds with that wolf,” I said and looked over at the wolves playing.
“Yes, wolves do make excellent companions.”
“There’s this Native man that seems to be coming out with me a lot lately to collect things for traps... I just met him a few days ago.. I don’t think he’s with any tribe in particular but he is becoming a friend. So we’ve been making a lot of traps just in case the bison in Wyoming decide to attack us again.”
“They are also good for Boars and alligators,” Sasha told me.
“I’ve got more stuff than I know what to do with,” I chuckled.
“It will all get used, I’m sure.”
“Thinkin of just makin a whole bunch of traps so I’m always prepared for a long time... In case of attacks. I found the mine in Nebraska... It’s a good one actually.”
“Yes, I like to keep a good supply as well.”
“Well I think I’ll head home for a while then.. Need to get some writing done. It was good to catch up with you, Sasha!” I said after a while and stood.
“Yes, be well Trin.”
I looked over at Manipi and asked, “You comin’, boy? Let’s head to Wyoming, Manipi. See you soon, Sasha!” I said and headed out of the village with the wolf.
Wyoming.
On our way to Wyoming I ran into a bison and set a trap to catch it, though the bison had managed to bit me in the process. I found Sounds of Thunder in the village and said, “I found Manipi running around Georgetown... Thought I’d bring him back here since this seems to be his home.”
“Oh Trin, are you hurt?” he looked at me.
“Then got attacked... by the bison...” I breathed hard. “I set a trap just in time though...”
“Come to village. I get help,” Thunder instructed and led me and a soaking wet Manipi into the village. “Trin sit. I send for healer,” Thunder told me.
I nodded and sat, rubbing my arms tenderly. “Wado, Thunder.. There has to be an easier way into camp,” I muttered, wanting to avoid the place where the bison seemed to like living.
“Yes I can show you.”
“When Rain gets here? After she looks at my arm..”
Thunder took a bowl of warm water and a clean cloth and gently washed the cuts on my arm. “I’m sorry if I hurt you Trin.”
“It just stings...” I winced as he cleaned off the surrounding area and made sure the wound was clean.
“Osiyo, Dark Rain,” I said to the woman who was coming into the village.
“Osiyo my love ... Osiyo Trin,” Dark Rain greeted us.
“Dark Rain, Trin was hurt by the mean buffalo on her arm. I washed it off see but it needs a bandage,” Thunder told her.
“I had a trap on me at least so I was able to avoid getting too hurt,” I told her.
Dark Rain looked at my arm and smiled. “You cleaned it well my love.. thought you knew the mean buffalo was about Trin.”
“So now you have meat, Trin,” Thunder laughed.
“I did... That’s why I had traps on me,” I nodded.
“That was good for you,” Dark smiled.
“Something for the battle then.”
Manipi trotted over to us then with buffalo in his mouth and settled near me, crooning and leaning into my occasional petting as I pet him comfortingly. Dark Rain pulled a bandage from her pouch and some paste to help with the healing and pain. She giggled at my words and placed the paste on the cloth, then gently put it on the wound, paste side down. She wrapped the loose edges of the cloth around my arm, tying them together. I flinched at the contact on the wound at first but then let Rain work on the wound.
“There Trin, you should heal nicely. Is good you had a trap.”
“Indeed,” I nodded.
“Now you will feel better Trin. You follow Thunder. I show you how to come in village,” Thunder advised.
“Wado, Rain. And I’ll see you soon, Manipi,” I said, standing.
“Welcome, Trin,” Dark Rain smiled.
Thunder showed me a better way around the mean buffalo and the hills and I agreed it was a better way to get to the village. I thanked him for his help and continued on.
Colorado East.
This evening I went to knock on Mack and Amee’s door, wanting to see my old friends. We talked for a while and then they had to head out. I waited in the area though and they came back into the house with a new man named Bud.
“Sounds like we have visitors,” Mack said as he walked in.
“Our friend Trin came by for a visit,” Amee smiled.
“Mighty fine home ya have here,” Bud looked around after he was introduced.
“Thank you... we love our home here... Mack did such a good job of building this,” Amee said.
“Yes he did,” Bud smiled.
“Thank ya kindly,” Mack nodded in agreement. “This is a darn nice little town to live in.”
“No termites I hope?” Bud asked.
“Termites... no... but other pesky varmits... yep,” Amee smiled.
I looked over to notice a woman had joined Bud in the living room. “I’ve known Amee and Mack for a while as well,” I smiled.
“Beautiful home. Love the smell of the logs,” Bud smiled.
“Yessir. Amee does make a good home,” Mack said.
“It’s nice and cozy here that’s for sure,” I agreed.
“Thank you Bud...full of love...and small creatures that lurk in the dark and come out when we go to bed at night...” Amee smiled.
“May need a bigger fireplace. Santa is not a small guy,” Bud suggested.
“Take a seat, friends,” Mack invited.
“I’ve just been getting inspired to decorate my place in Nebraska more for Christmas as well,” I said.
“Well, if anyone slides down that chimney in the middle of the night, he just might catch himself a load of buckshot for his trouble,” Mack chuckled. I swallowed and looked down, glaring at Mack for bringing up Bill’s name.
“So how long y’all been in this neck of the woods?” Bud laughed.
“Sorry Trin, I fergot,” Mack said after a bit of confusion and then remembered how much I hated Bill’s name.
“I’ll forgive you.. once...” I nodded.
“Next time she may tan your hide,” Bud said.
“We have been living here a spell,” Mack said then.
“Good whiskey at the saloon?” Bud asked.
“As you know, I came from Missouri originally, then met Ami when I was doing some lawmaning out in Texas,” Mack said. “Ami and I moved up here after her tribe starting getting trouble from the government. Been here ever since. I recon whiskey is as good in one place as in another.”
“Seems like a quite town. Much work for a lawman?”
“Would you like to see the town?” Mack asked.
“Would love to see the town but probably shouldn’t go out in our Sunday clothes like this.”
“Well, as a US Marshal, I do not have jurisdiction over the town. That is up to Sheriff Adder,” Mack said.
“You will be fine in your fancy clothes...it’s coverin up your naughty bits just fine,” Amee smiled.
“Then we would love to see the town, please,” Bud said.
“Sheriff Adder’s a good lawman. He’s been a friend of mine for a long time,” I said.
“Whenever you wish, Bud. Whenever the two of you wish,” Mack smiled at both of us.
“Trin did you want to go with us into town?” Amee asked.
“Sure,” I stood to follow them.
We walked outside and talked about the cold weather as it hit us when we opened the door. We went to the saloon and had a few drinks and then I headed back to Nebraska.
Kansas.
I rode into Kansas a few minutes later and waved to Lonely Eagle who greeted me. He was talking with a woman who said that she didn’t know who she was. “I met her along the path and she does not know who she is,” he explained. “I wonder if she is from a local tribe”
“That’s a good question. No ways we could find out I guess hmm?”
“I am not sure where I am.. or what tribe I belong to,” the woman said.
“I have just come here in the last few days myself. I know not of the nearby tribes,” Eagle said.
“I am sure I find my way soon.”
“Perhaps you might show her to the chief of the tribe you were going to take me to?” Eagle suggested to me. “Perhaps he may know.”
“In Wyoming... Or Hawk, since we’re already in Kansas...”
“Hawk? I have not met Hawk yet, but he may be a better start,” Eagle nodded.
“He has a tribe here in Kansas East, and Chief Standing Bear has a tribe in Wyoming.”
“What kind of tribe does he have?” the woman asked.
“They are both very loyal tribes,” I smiled. “I have known Hawk’s for longer though. Shall we head to their tribe first?”
She nodded and we walked together over to the Cheyenne village. We called out to see if anyone was there and when it was clear we were alone, we went to the Cherokee village in Wyoming.
Wyoming.
“Osiyo, anyone there?” I called across the bridge. “It’s Trin. We have a native lady here who doesn’t know who she is.” We waited and then I saw Ahawi across the river. “Ahawi! We need your help.”
“What is wrong Trin?” she asked.
“This woman here is having difficulty knowing who she is... Eagle and Betty and I thought it would be best that we come talk to the Chief here. She’s obviously Native but we don’t know from what tribe...”
“Please come into the village,” she invited.
“Wado,” I said and led the way across the bridge to the village and greeted the tribe that was gathered.
“Chief, Trin has brought a native to the village,” Ahawi said to Standing Bear. “The native does not know who she is, they seek your help. Please join us by the fire,” Ahawi invited.
We sat down by the fire and Ahawi brought over a blanket to put around the woman’s shoulders. I greeted everyone and then introduced my friend Lonely Eagle. “This woman approached my friend and said that she didn’t know who she was,” I explained. “I came up in the middle of the conversation... She’s obviously Native so we thought we would bring her here.”
“Thank you for your kindness,” the woman said to the tribe.
“Osiyo my brothers and sisters,” Eagle stood to greet the chief.
“Osiyo Lonely Eagle, how are you?” Standing Bear asked him.
“I am well. How are you Chief Standing Bear?”
“I am well, what brings you to visit the Cherokee?” the chief asked and I gathered he hadn’t heard
our explanation of who the woman beside us was.
“This woman to my right... She came to my friend Lonely Eagle and said that she does not know who she is or where she comes from. I came in the middle of their conversation and when Eagle asked for my help I suggested to bring her here... I thought maybe you could help us.”
“Chief do you know me?” she asked him with great hesitation and obvious tears falling.
“No Sister, I do not know you,” Chief said. “Do you not even know your name?”
“Oh no,” she shook her head. “I know nothing since my horse threw me.”
Dances with Fire ran in and cried that her dog was hurt. Chief told her to wait as he was talking with another woman and I asked her to bring the dog, Manipi, to me.
“I think our new friend is in good hands now,” Eagle looked over to me and I nodded.
“I may never know who I am,” the woman looked at the chief with a sad face.
“Was it okay that we brought her here? I didn’t know what else to do,” I looked at Standing Bear. “I figured she would at least be comfortable around your people as they are similar to her.”
“Where do you sleep and eat?” Chief asked.
“She needs to be among native people,” Chief nodded.
“Perhaps a vision quest may bring her in touch with her inner spirit and bring back memories,” Eagle suggested.
“Chief, this woman needs her wounds cleaned,” Ahawi said then.
“Ahawi can you clean them Sister?”
“I found a cave and stayed there for awhile, and I do know how to hunt,” the woman told him.
I stood and walked over to Fire and Manipi and another dog named Imita and hugged the girl in greeting as the others talked with the woman. I pet the dog behind his ear and asked the girl to keep giving Imita food to keep his strength up.
“Hey there girl... You’re gonna be okay...” I said to the dog and pet her. “What happened to her, Fire?”
“I not knows. She look like her leggy hurt.”
“Trin did this woman have any other belongings or just what she wears?” Chief asked me.
“I don’t believe she does... Eagle, do you know? Eagle was talking with her longer than I was..”
“I came upon her as she is now,” Eagle said. “Carrying nothing with her.”
Ahawi continued to clean the woman’s wounds as the chief nodded. “How far from here was she found?”
“Maybe we should let the doggy rest, Fire. She has Manipi to keep her company,” I suggested to Fire.
“She does,” the child agreed.
“I met them in Kansas, just outside the entrance to Colorado East,” I answered the chief.
“Chief, this bruise on her head is very big,” Ahawi told him.
“I left my meager belongs in the cave, I had no idea I meet him, we meet on the road,” the woman said.
“Ahwai, what do you recommend to treat it?” Chief asked. “Is she bleeding?”
“She will need rest,” Ahawi said.
“Then we will prepare an asi for her to rest in this night.”
“How long since you woke?” Ahawi asked the girl.
“Thank you, you have been so kind to me,” the woman reached for a cup as it was given to her.
“I will build a fire there so she will be warm,” Chief nodded.
“Can you get me two small sticks and some fabric?” I asked Fire.
“Sister, have you been sick to your stomach?” Ahawi asked her.
“A bit and my head would hurt too,” the woman said. “Not a good sign, you will need to stay awake.”
I looked over and saw Thunder coming over. “I need to make a splint... There is a wound in Imita’s lower leg...” I said to him. Fire looked around and grabbed some sticks and handed it to me, ripping off a bottom piece of her dress and giving it to me too. “Thank you sweetie,” I smiled at her and took them. I put the sticks on either side of Imita’s leg and tied it around in three spots - the top, middle and bottom.
“You be okays Imta,” Fire assured the dog, kneeling down to stroke the jaw and neck.
“Fire.. Make sure she doesn’t lick the wound on her leg,” I told her.
“How long has she been awake?” Ahawi turned to me and asked of the woman, but I didn’t know and looked over to Eagle for the answer as I checked around the dog’s leg to find any open wounds.
“She has been awake since I found her,” Eagle answered. “We only found her within the last hour”
“Not long enough then, you stay awake,” Ahawi ordered.
“Yes he found me not far from the cave I had been in. My horse threw me not far from there,” the woman said and I wondered what made the horse throw the woman.
“Lonely Eagle did you go inside the cave where she says she was sleeping?” Chief asked.
“It seems as if her memory may have started to return. She can remember what caused her wound,” Eagle said. “Now is the first I heard of the cave.”
“Can you find this cave again Brother?”
“Is a good sign that she is remembering more,” Ahawi said.
“I will try,” Eagle nodded.
Fire kept cupping water in her hand and feeding it to Imita and I smiled. “Good girl, Fire. Keep feeding her water.”
“Can you see if you can find it and see if perhaps she has left anything in it that might help us learn more about her?” Chief asked.
“I can go with him and help him,” I smiled and looked over at the chief. “There is not much I can do here for the dog... I’ve tied up a splint around her wound.”
“Perhaps her horse may be wandering around as well.”
“I know that you are probably sore sister, but you must stay awake until next moon,” Ahawi said to the woman.
“We must try to find something that will help us learn who she is,” Chief nodded.
“I’m sorry Fire, that’s all I know how to do... You’ll have to get Ahawi or Dark Rain to help more,” I looked to Fire and then walked back over to Eagle.
“Ahawi, is there anything I can get for you?” Chief asked.
“She needs strong brew to keep her awake, I will go make some in asi,” Ahawi answered.
“Fankies Trin, dis shud work till someone can look at its,” Fire smiled at me and I nodded.
“Let us go look for the cave and her horse,” Eagle looked to me.
“We’ll be back soon if we find anything, Chief. Wado for your help,” I said to him.
“I will keep her awake,” Chief nodded.
“Perhaps we will find something that will teach us of her past,” Eagle aid.
“I can follow you,” Betty said then. “Six eyes see more than four.”
“Manipi... Perhaps he could come and get a scent?” I suggested then.
“Safe path. Look good in cave,” Chief nodded to me.
“Manipi want to come help, boy?” I asked the dog and then told him, “Smell the woman, Manipi. Get a scent.”
“Dark Rain, do you think her dress and moccs bear a resemblance to Cherokee?” Chief asked then.
“No all I recall is waking up on the ground and seeing my horse was gone. I figured he got spooked, and threw mw for the lump on the back of my head,” the woman said then as Manipi sniffed the woman’s leg.
“Good boy, Manipi... Remember that scent,” I smiled and looked at Eagle and Betty. “I think we’re ready to go.”
“Yes Chief it does look Cherokee,” Dark Rain nodded to Chief.
“Oh you’re so cute,” the woman giggled and pet Manipi.
“I believe she may be Cherokee,” Chief said then.
“Lead the way Eagle. We’ll be back when we find something, Chief,” I smiled and headed out with the others.
Kansas.
“Follow here,” Eagle indicated over the shallow water. “Here is where I found her.”
“Where’s the cave she spoke of?” I looked around.
“Can Manipi get a scent from here?” Eagle asked and I watched Manipi sniff around.
“I’ve found a small cave,” Betty said then.
“Where?” I asked.
“Behind the house here,” she indicated. “It may be here?”
Memories flooded from my mind about the cave with Bill’s gang and I felt the panic start to set in. “You guys... go on ahead...” I said shakily. I watched as they went in to explore the cave and traced my forearm idly, remembering that night like it was yesterday.
“I don’t think it was this cave. Perhaps further into Colorado,” Eagle said then.
“Eagle? I do not. Think more a fox cave,” Betty agreed.
I looked at Eagle curiously, wondering why I had agreed to come on this search involving caves. Eagle looked at me and asked, “Are you okay?”
“Wonder if it fine there,” Betty said, looking up above the cave.
“I ... I shouldn’t have come along... Maybe I should go back home...” I said, trying to get a grip, but the memories stuck in my head too vividly.
“It will be alright,” Eagle said, taking me by the hand as Manipi walked over at me and sniffed my hand, then started trekking purposefully east. “Come we will travel together.”
“Thank you...” I whispered to Eagle, squeezing his hand.
“Where is Manipi going?” Eagle asked, hearing Manipi bark.
“Don’t know but he seems to be on the trail of something. Where you goin, Manipi?” I asked the dog as if it could answer.
“Did you find something?” Eagle asked Manipi too. I squeezed Eagle’s hand tighter and reached down for Manipi to smell my other hand again to pick up the scent. We walked after him and saw a big cave. I turned my face away and Eagle held my hand tighter.
I shook my head, stopping at the entrance. “I can’t...”
“We’ll go together. I won’t let go.”
I looked at him desperately and lifted my sleeve up to show him the scar from where Bill had cut me with a knife a few months ago. He looked back at me and asked, “What happened?”
“Not here...” I shook my head, tearing up. I looked back and saw Betty coming out of the cave.
“Anything?” I asked hopefully.
“I must have a lantern. It’s dark in there.”
“Take this,” I said, taking a light off the post standing outside the cave and handing it to her.
Manipi barked again and ran out of the cave, tugging at my hand. “Find something, boy?” I asked, then looked at Eagle. “Go on ahead. I’ll wait here.”
Betty came out soon with supplies in her hands. “We find medicine bag, blanket, water.” “You did! Oh good!”
“Little straw and this looks like a bed. Good work dog,” Betty said and gave Manipi some dried meat.
I looked from the entrance of the cave back to Eagle. “We should all head home before it gets too dark and head to the village in the morning. We can bring these things to the chief then.”
“That sounds like a good plan,” he nodded.
“Yes, it gets cold,” Betty agreed.
“Betty, thank you for your help,” I told her.
“I have to go home to my village. Thank you.”
“And Manipi, thanks for your help,” I pet the dog. “We could just take Manipi home for the night... bring him back in the morning too?”
“Okay,” Betty nodded. “Be careful.”
“You as well, Betty. Safe paths and sweet dreams,” I told her.
“I’ll see you again,” she said and headed for her village.
“Of course we can,” Eagle nodded and then looked at Betty. “Safe paths. Let’s return home then,” he said to me and we headed back home.
Nebraska.
We headed home and Manipi followed us inside. “What could it mean,” Eagle asked himself then and I looked over at him, curious.
“You okay Eagle?” I asked. “Come on inside... It’s cold and we should eat and drink something...”
“I am fine. Just thinking,” he shook his head.
We went upstairs with Manipi close behind and watched Manipi jump up on my bed. We laughed as he made himself comfortable. Eagle sat down and leaned back and I looked over at him. “You seem to be deep in thought.”
“I’ve had a lot on my mind,” he looked at me. “I keep seeing Eagle in the sky circling as I approach here.”
I smiled, remembering his spirit journey. “What do you think it means?”
“When I have followed him before, circling has meant that I’m supposed to stop somewhere.”
“Where was the eagle circling over exactly?” I asked curiously.
“Right outside here, actually.”
“Really...” I smiled at him and he put his hand on mine. I felt the reaction to his touch, not having felt it since my last ‘roommate’, Kale, had mysteriously disappeared.
“I do not know why, but I am beginning to feel more and more that this may be where my spirit guide wants me to be.”
I smiled and squeezed his hand. “Well who are we to go against what your spirit guide says?”
“He brought me to you, so that must mean something.”
I smiled, leaning my head against his his shoulder, relaxing after the evening that had brought back so many memories. I looked over at Manipi curled up and sleeping and then at Eagle. “I don’t think we can call you Lonely Eagle anymore...” I thought that I could get used to this image of the three of us.
“Lonely Eagle is from my vision quest,” he said.
Manipi stood up then and looked around anxiously. He barked at the door and I watched Eagle go to let the dog out.
“I suppose we should call it a night and sleep soon...” I smiled as he came back over and leaned down to kiss me on my cheek. “What would your spirit guide say about you sharing the bed with me... even just to sleep...?”
“It may actually help me figure out what he is saying.”
I stood, taking his hand, and lay down on the bed with him as he did so cautiously beside me. “Goodnight, Eagle. Sweet dreams.”
“Goodnight Trin. Sweet dreams,” he held me tightly and I drifted off comfortably to sleep, dreaming about eagles soaring over us.
