Passion's Series by Mary Adair Read Free Book Online Page A

Sparrow? There are many ways to judge a man's heart. This is my advice to you, young one. Do not judge a warrior's strength by the number of men he kills in battle. Judge him by the love you see in the children's eyes, for in our children's eyes will you know the destiny of our people."
    New Moon and Old Woman watched in silence as James taught Sparrow a new game of guessing which hand held a stone. Cloud and Buffalo played along as well, sometimes calling it right, sometimes not. James leaned forward and whispered something into Sparrow's ear. After that she chose correctly every time. The two women could easily hear Sparrow's laughter.
    Finally Cloud stood and led Sparrow away. New Moon and Old Woman saw the child's disappointment and resistance to leave.
    "Ha!" Old Woman cheered. "See, this is a. good white man."
    New Moon shrugged, she was tired of Old Woman's riddles. "What about French men, Old Woman? You said not all white men are alike, not all of them bad. I have never seen a French man that you liked."
    Old Woman's aged face tightened into a pucker and she snorted loudly, "French men are all alike. They all have skinny legs!
    James stood and stepped from the light of the fire. Old Woman poked New Moon in the ribs with her bony elbow, "Blue Eye looks for you."
    "He does not look for me, Old Woman. You should not tell such stories."
    James took no more than two steps, spotted New Moon and Old Woman standing in the shadows and stopped. "I do not tell stories that are untrue," quipped Old Woman. "I have things that need doing." She patted New Moon gently on the arm and disappeared into the darkness.
    ***
    James was surprised to see New Moon standing so close to his position in the circle. The only explanation he could come up with was that she was watching...again. A grin touched his lips. Curious little minx .
    He took a step in her direction. When he saw her stiffen, he stopped. The look of approval he'd first seen on her face was gone. Her features shifted to a guise of boredom and disinterest. Disinterest? Not likely, he thought with delight.
    New Moon let her gaze travel over him and he gritted his teeth as he worked to retain control over his body. She stood at least ten feet away from him, yet it felt as if she physically touched him. It didn't matter that she tried to intimidate him with her appraisal. He knew she saw nothing to displease her.
    Her eyes lingered just below his waist and he gritted his teeth harder. She pointedly cocked her head as if assessing his wounded member. Flashing him an exaggerated look of pity she turned to disappear into the darkness.
    James threw back his head and laughed with sheer pleasure. New Moon was no dainty miss. He gingerly lifted the bone vest from his stinging chest for the hundredth time. He wondered what the blood thirsty little creature would think when she saw his chest.
    Late into the celebration many of the young people paired off and disappeared into the night to continue their celebrations in each other's arms. James, Thomas, and a few of the more curious warriors sat casually around the dying embers of the fire exchanging stories of bravery until sunrise.
    As the first rays of morning brightened the eastern sky, they rose to their feet and headed for the stream to greet the dawning of a new day.
    A cry for entrance sounded at the gate and all turned around. A young Indian brave sprinted up to Dancing Cloud. According to tradition, he waited respectfully for the Chief to address him.
    "Welcome," Chief Dancing Cloud's tone was solemn. "I am here," the runner announced.
    "Yes, you are. It is good," the chief answered in the ritual of generations.
    The boy fixed his gaze over Cloud's left shoulder, "The warriors of Tellico challenge the warriors of Chota to the Little War."
    Cloud nodded. "We will be ready when they arrive."
    The boy turned and sprinted out through the gate.
    The moment he disappeared, the village seemed to burst with excitement. James watched in