Destiny Mine by Janelle Taylor Read Free Book Online

Dance Dolls, they will lose spirit and weaken. They believe they will live and prosper only as long as they perform their tobacco ceremonies when the seed is planted and when it is harvested and have seeds for the next season—and as long as they have the power of their dolls and the power of those before them who had them.”
    Kionee recalled that Stalking Wolf kept tobacco-seed pouches of the men who attacked them in the forest. She knew that to take one of the Crow’s holiest objects was a great coup; even as children the Crow wore a tiny bag of it around their necks for protection and to show unity to that cult and its beliefs.
    “Night Walker’s words are strong with hate and with hunger for bad food,” another hunter said. “Do you forget that bad food kills and hate dulls wits?”
    “Does Runs Fast forget we did not begin this conflict?” Night Walker scoffed. “Does Runs Fast not knowit will grow worse if we do nothing? They care not for our words and ways of peace. Does Runs Fast desire even a life of fear more than holding on to our land and honor for our people?”
    “We do not hide, Night Walker, but we must not gallop into the arms of death to seek glory as our enemies do. If they come in war, I will fight them at your side, but I will not chase or challenge them first. They are strong and many, and such action is foolish.”
    “They have come to raid and to seek war, Runs Fast. Did Kionee not find them on our land, near our camp, weapons ready and eager to kill?”
    “The Crow attacked a Cheyenne band they found in their scouting path; they are fierce enemies,” Strong Rock pointed out. “We do not know if they came to raid our camp and slay our people.”
    “Did they not attack Kionee to slay a tiva?” Night Walker refuted.
    “Kionee was with a Cheyenne when they saw my son.”
    “Kionee’s mask told them he is Hanueva. Still, they attacked. I say, if Kionee had been alone, Kionee would be dead by a Crow arrow. I say, Crow no longer fear or flee from what they believe is tiva magic, for their hunger to capture such powerful medicine makes them daring.”
    Spotted Owl reasoned in a soft tone, “We cannot know if your words are true, Night Walker, so to act on them is unwise.”
    “We will place guards each sun and moon to watch for Crow raids,” Chief Bear’s Head ordered. “We must wait to see if trouble strikes before we move to the grasslands. Do not go looking for sly death, my son; wait until it stalks you to lay a trap for it.”
    “Why do we not send peacemakers to Red Plume,Long Hair, and Swift Crane to see why they allow their warriors to attack us?”
    “Your thought is good, Strong Rock; we will think on it until the council meets in ten suns and votes. Search your hearts, my people, for the path we choose to take will paint our destinies on our family hides.”
    Night Walker’s heart pounded in excitement as he realized he had ten days to convince others to join his side against the weakling peacemakers. Somehow, he plotted, he and Little Weasel would provoke a conflict in which they could use their prowess to obtain glory. Never, he resolved, would he allow the Crow—or any others—to push him off this land or to make him cower in fear and ultimate defeat, no matter what he must do to prevent it.
    “Where is my mate?” Martay asked Kionee upon her return.
    “Father stayed behind to speak with friends. I grow weary, for there were many tasks to do this sun. I must sleep soon.”
    “Will the Crow come to attack us, Brother?” Blue Bird asked.
    “I do not know, Sister, but I worry over them sneaking near our camp. The one who died last did not fear us or tiva magic.”
    “Will Runs Fast be called into battle?”
    Kionee considered her sister’s expression and tone. “You fear for his safety and survival?”
    “Yes, my brother, though I should not when he is skilled in fighting.”
    “He has captured your eye and heart?”
    “Yes.”
    “If war comes, Blue Bird, I