By: K. Fox

“Tanager! Tanager!” cried Kelp as she ran into her older cousin’s lodge. She nearly tripped over her own two feet and barely missed colliding with Tanager. The woman of sixteen summers looked up from shaping a clay pot and whiped her brow. Her raven black hair was pulled into a bun; stray strands were glued to her high cheeks and forehead. “What has gotten you so excited?” she asked, flashing straight white teeth. “Red Flint wants to see you. I bet his bedding is getting cold!” Kelp added, giggling. Tanager stood and ruffled Kelp’s mop of tangled dark brown hair. “You little tree snail!” she said lightheartedly, “Why don’t you go find your little man, Nettle?” “Nettle?! You must be missing half your mind!” yelled Kelp. She then darted out of the shelter, her dirty skirt flying behind her, moccasin feet kicking up the dry dirt of the early summer months. Tanager laughed softly. “Ah, to be ten again,” she said to herself. She briskly washed her long and narrow boned hands in a bowl of water which she always kept, the soaked a piece of cloth in it and whipped the clay from her work dress before it formed a hard, impermeable shell on the usually soft doeskin.

Just as Tanager was two steps from her shelter, a strong hand pulled her into the shadows. She tried to scream but another hand was clasped over her gaping mouth. Her ‘attacker’ turned to face her, his handsome features drawn up to form and almost evil looking mischievous grin. He removed his tanned hand, whispering softly, “You better not scream.” Tanager smiled and exclaimed breathlessly, “Blessed Spirits! You nearly scared my soul from my body!” Red Flint continued to grin and picked her up into his muscular arms, clad in a white buckskin shirt to match the leggings he wore.

Red Flint continued to beam down at her and said in a rich deep voice, obviously not is own, “I am High Fox, I have come to capture the pearl of the village. You belong to me now!” Tanager laughed and decided to go along with his little play, since he was enjoying it so much, and she was beginning to as well. “Oh, what shall I do? I have been captured! Surely the brave, handsome, warrior Red Flint will come save me!” Red Flint broke into a slow run towards the forest, doing his best to impersonate an evil, deep-throated laugh.

“War?” cried Nine Killer. “Yes, war,’ confirmed their runner, Thorny Boy. “It’s a good thing we sent you then. Quick Dart, Black Urchin, track down Red Flint and the other warriors. We must have a council as soon as possible.” The two men nodded and sprinted out the door, whispering excitedly to each other. The war chief turned to his trusted runner. “You have done well Thorny Boy. Return to your wife and rest.” “Thank you war leader,” murmured Thorny Boy, bowing low and exiting the shelter. Nine Killer massaged his temples through graying hair. “I’m getting too old for this,” he sighed.

Tanager sighed with contentment, holding Red Flint’s hand and watching the Star People dance overhead. They lay on the forest floor, her head rested on his chest comfortably. Red Flint stroked her hair with his free hand as a star broke free from its dance and streaked a crossed the sky. . Suddenly, the peace of the night was broken by heavy footfall. Red Flint sat up swiftly; Tanager’s head fell off his chest and onto the fox fur blanket with a dull thud. Red Flint looked down at her, smiling apologetically. She sat up and nodded to him, signaling that she was fine, and he turned in the direction of the noise. He pulled his dagger from his belt before he even stood, then crab walked away from her. Red Flint’s form disappeared into the shadows and a moment later, Tanager heard familiar male shouts.

Tanager rose to her feet and ran to the spot where Red Flint had vanished into, then crashed through the brush to find him standing over Quick Dart (who was trembling like an unsettled child), Red Flint’s dagger a hair’s width from his manhood where he cowered on the ground. Red Flint’s handsome face split into a grin as he pulled his dagger from the ground, cleaned it on his brother’s leggings and then sheathed it before offering Quick Dart a hand. “Never sneak up on a trained warrior,” he advised while helping the other man to his feet. Quick Dart did not return the smile. “I regret to inform you of this, but we need you at the war council. Thorny Boy returned moments ago with the news that Sharpwood clan plans a surprise attack.”

Red Flint’s smile vanished instantly and he looked solemnly at Tanager. Her heart sank as it always did when he had to leave on a battle walk. She inhaled deeply and flashed him her best smile, trying to display that she wasn’t dreadfully concerned, even though she was. Red Flint nodded to his brother. “Let’s get to the council.”

“We need to discuss an attack plan,” stated Nine Killer to the impressive selection of the Red Buck clan’s ten hands of warriors. “Any thoughts Red Flint?” The highly respected warrior stood and began to pace, scratching his chin thoughtfully. “We need to ambush them while they’re approaching the village.” Several nods went around the council circle. A short, stocky warrior named Badgertail stood and asked in his shrill voice, “How do you propose we go about that?” Red Flint stopped his pacing and looked at him curiously. “Well, we could lie in wait on their own lands, then attack their village before they get a chance to leave their own shores.” More nods went around the circle and Badgertail sat down, satisfied. Nine Killer spoke. “We shall leave the moment Sun Mother’s rays strike the earth tomorrow. Rest warriors, you’ll need all your strength.” The men rose and bowed to Nine Killer before leaving the lodge. Red Flint walked directly to Tanager’s shelter, he frantically needed to speak with her and he feared he would have no time the next day.

As he entered, Tanager looked up from the fire she had been staring into, large, depthless brown eyes looked at Red Flint solemnly. He wrapped his arms around her as she began to sob, desperately wanting to comfort her. He knew very well why she was so disturbed, her father, Silver Hawk, had been killed on the last battle walk, and she feared he would face the same fate tomorrow. Kissing her repeatedly as she tried to protest against him leaving, he murmured, “Everything will be fine, we have the advantage. It will be quick.” Seeing how his words did not ease Tanager’s pain, he switched positions, clasped her hands in his, and stared into her eyes.

“Tanager,” he began, “you are the most beautiful thing in my life. You are the light that strengthens my heart while I battle and so I ask you to complete me and become my wife.” She ceased her crying and a brilliant smile spread over her attractive face. “Red Flint…of course I will!” He grasped her in a crushing hug. “We will be married as soon as I return, I swear upon my soul, I will not make you a widow before we can be unified.” Ref Flint kissed her deeply and passionately. She returned it, almost overpoweringly. “Go now,” she said, face aglow, “Sleep my handsome warrior.” He grinned and kissed her once more before walking into the chill night air, barely noticed by he as his heart warmed him as much as any fire.

As he entered his lodge, he was surprised to find his mother there. She smiled warmly at him and commented with a half grin, “For someone who’s going to battle tomorrow, you seem to be in an awfully good mood.” Red Flint only beamed at her and slid comfortably into his sleeping hides. Green Ash tended the fire as he dropped into a contented slumber.

Red Flint awoke a hand of time before dawn as he had trained himself to do. He was greeted by the sweet smell of elderberries, wild pig jerky, pine nut patties and mint tea, all laid out beside a blazing fire. As he stared in wonder at the breakfast, he felt soft lips brush his cheek. “I figured you would like to be sent off with a proper meal,” whispered Tanager. Red Flint smiled and greeted her lips with his. “You didn’t need to do this,” “But I wanted to,” she replied, smiling. Tanager stood and tended the fire while Red Flint dressed himself and rolled up his bedding. As he attached the blankets to his pack, he noticed that Tanager had spoiled him with preserved food and the rest of the items he would need.

Quick Dart poked his head in the door flap, and smiled when he saw the lavish breakfast laid out for his brother. “She behaves like a wife already,” he commented. Tanager looked up from the fire, grinning. “Jealous are we?” Quick Dart laughed. “No, no, Clover out does herself to spoil me.” He turned to Red Flint. “The warriors are ready to leave.” Red Flint nodded and finished his last bite of jerky. He grabbed his pack and a heavy mink coat. Tanager grasped his arm. “I want to walk with you until the river,” she said earnestly. “Of course my darling,” Red Flint smiled. Tanager rose and pulled a shall over her shoulders, and then wrapped an arm around his waist.

They walked through the village, arm-in-arm, with Quick Dart following behind. When they reached the riverbank where the slick war canoes were being loaded, Red Flint turned to look at Tanager. He took in every curve of her body against her doeskin dress that was belted at her slim waist. He marveled at her long, slender legs and tall beaded moccasins. The wind teased her long, shining black hair and made the copper and shell pieces on the fringe of her dress rattle softly. Red Flint drew Tanager close and took in the scent of her; she smelled pleasantly of smoked meat, pine, and the water. They kissed for endless moments, but then Nine Killer called for the warriors to climb into their canoes.

Red Flint slipped from her arms and waded out to the canoe he shared with three other warriors. He flung his packs behind him and collected the paddle. He took one last glance at Tanager, arms crossed, shall pulled tight against the chill, a single tear sliding down her cheek. Nine Killer whooped a war cry and the canoes began to slide forward. Red Flint waved to Tanager and his mother, and then focused on driving the craft ahead, sending his bubbling emotions into his paddle and down to the rippling river. I will return, he silently promised them both.

Quick Dart stood crouched beside his brother, Badgertail, and Nine Killer just a few paces from the Sharpwood village. Nine Killer waved the warriors forward, and they advanced through the brush silently. All at once, the air was full of bird and animal calls. The Red Buck warriors lifted their heads as something in their minds screamed that this was wrong and something bad was about to happen. A stick cracked behind Quick Dart. He turned just in time to see the war club swing down towards him.

One of the Sharpwood warriors roughly jabbed Red Flint I the back, shouting at him in a sluggish tongue that the Red Buck warrior could never hope to understand. The enemy had captured him two nights ago, but it seemed like eternity. He was the only captive they had managed to take, and he was at least glad at that. It had turned out that Sharpwood had followed them since they beached their canoes at the edge of the forest; the forest in which they had planned to ambush their enemies. The battle had gone the other way; many Red Buck warriors had died. Quick Dart had survived at least, and as Red Flint had been dragged away, he had yelled to him to tell Tanager he loved her, and for Quick Dart to take her as a second wife if he did not return to the village. Just thinking of Tanager brought tears to Red Flint’s eyes, but he choked them back, not wanting to show weakness.

His captors had treated him with as much respect as a piece of their own waste. While they ate and slept, they stripped him of his clothing and tied him to a tree, facing away from the campfire. They hadn’t posted any guards around him; he could have easily escaped if they hadn’t destroyed all of his weapons. They didn’t place any guards around him because they wanted to be sure that any hungry coyote or bobcat would have easy access to his flesh. The only time they checked to make sure he was still alive or still there, he couldn’t be sure which, was when they left the fire to relieve themselves. They made a point of doing it on him.

Red Flint reeked like a decaying carcass, but one ugly warrior, Screech Owl, who could speak his language, assured him that this was but a fragment of the torture he would receive once they got to Sharpwood and handed him over to Snaps Horn, the chief. Screech Owl kicked him in the knees, causing Red Flint to topple over with a muffled cry as the warriors laughed around him.

Tanager dipped her fingers into the rich burgundy paint and created the center of a circle, which would become Sun Mother on the pot she had made earlier. She could hardly stop herself from painting Red Flint’s handsome face instead. The war party had been gone for five days now, and Red Flint had been haunting her in her dreams. He cried out to her in anguish, but his deep voice did not rise from his throat to tell her what he wailed about when she asked. The dreams disturbed her, but she suspected it was nothing but her grief over the loss of her father come back to bother her once more.

Suddenly, happy shouts split the air and excitement crackled through it. Clover poked her head through the door flap of Tanager’s lodge, round face beaming. “The warriors have returned!” she exclaimed breathlessly; then she disappeared again. Tanager leaped to her feet and snatched a scrap of hide from an old pile by the door, wiped her hands on it briskly, then bolted out of the lodge.

Tanager ran, loose hair flying behind her like a black wave, to the riverbank. She stopped abruptly, heart pounding in her chest. Seven canoes. There had been triple that number! She sprinted again, faster, scanning the faces and mentally taking note of them. Quick Dart, Nine Killer, Thorny Boy, Black Urchin, Badgertail, Little Hummer…no Red Flint! Tanager felt as if her heart had been ripped from her chest and thrown into the deep water before her. She collapses on her knees, sobbing into her hands, her hair veiling her face from those around her. She felt strong arms enclose her; she looked up and whispered, “Red Flint?” “No, I’m sorry,” answered Quick Dart. Tanager wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and stood. “Where is he?” she asked desperately. “Captured.” “Oh no…” she murmured, tears welling before the others had dried. She turned her back to Red Flint’s brother and ran to her lodge, collapsing in a weeping heap on the floor as soon as she entered.

Sweet Water quietly entered Tanager’s lodge and sat down beside her grieving daughter. Two identical pools of tears were on either side of Tanager’s head; her face was hidden in a pile of paint-splattered hides. She lifted her head to identify Sweet Water; her beautiful face was streaked with multicoloured tears from the paint on the furs. Sweet Water smiled gently at her daughter, relishing the fact that she got her beauty from her deceased father’s clan and wiped a line of blue off Tanager’s soft skin with her thumb. “Hush child, it’s alright,” she said in a soothing voice. “He promised me Mother! He promised he’d return to me!” the girl of sixteen summers sobbed. “I know baby, and I’m sure he meant it. Red Flint couldn’t have known what would happen.” Tanager nodded solemnly, fingering one of the shells on her dress. Sweet Water looked into her eyes. “My child, do not give up hope. I’m sure the warriors will go after him.” Tanager met her gaze and a hard look came over her face. “No Mother. I cannot trust the warriors with his life again. I will go after him myself.”

This is a work-in-progress posting of my story; I'm writing it in Suite 8 (so it'll be spell checked) and then posting it up here in bits in peices. Stay tuned, I think this story is worth the wait!

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