Passion's Series (26 page)

It was James Fitzgerald that spoke now.  Raven knew Panther hardly thought of himself in that role anymore, and truly felt that Red Panther was his “true” name.  James was his alter ego, the other version of himself.  For the first time Raven considered Panther should have at least a small understanding of his own feeling of battling dualities.

Panther spoke now in stern English rather than with the fluidity of their beloved tongue, “However, perhaps it is time for you to learn more of your other half's ways and lifestyle.  I am going to send you away for a while.”

Raven started to respond, but James did not let him interrupt.

“I am going to send you to a school of reading and writing, tactics and strategy.  It will be in England.  You can come back once you graduate from their course for young men.  Hopefully, there you will learn to control yourself better.  Perhaps you will find yourself along the way.

“The school’s breaks are too short for you to travel home.  The Ladies Gaylord and Montgomery have always loved your visits.  I have no doubt they will have your room ready and waiting for you to visit on breaks.  William as well will look forward to spending time with you.”

Raven only nodded, actually feeling somewhat relieved.  Panther had taken him to England several times before, fully taking on the role of James Fitzgerald and dressing the other up as Raven Cloud for lessons and business meetings. 

In some ways, he looked forward to the trip and spending time with the grandmothers, as he always called them.  He enjoyed spending time with William as well.  They were very near the same age and as different as night and day, but they shared similar losses.  Will’s mother, Lady Gaylord’s daughter, died in
childbirth and Will’s father, Lady Montgomery’s son, was killed in an accident around the same time Raven lost his mother.  Panther had taken Raven to England at that time, not wanting to leave him behind so soon after his mother’s death.  On this visit, he and William had shared memories, he of his mother and William of his father.  Through their time of mourning, they had developed a strong friendship. 

He actually looked forward to this trip.  Perhaps he would be gone long enough for the others to forget his foolishness, remembering only his strength and ability.  His face twisted with a faint scowl as his thoughts took a turn, “
Red Panther wishes to be rid of me.  I am an embarrassment to him!
”  The anger from before flared up, and he hung his head to hide his face.

Panther stood, speaking in Cherokee again to announce his decision to the group.  The village would all know now, and would see this for what it was.  A punishment seen as a temporary banishment.  The nods of others showed their acceptance of the idea, and many spoke of Red Panther's continued wisdom.

Raven glanced toward the lodge and saw Golden Dawn gripping her mother's waist, and holding back tears he knew she so dearly wanted to set free.  He could almost hear her thoughts;
her most beloved companion was leaving her.
  His own eyes threatened to shame him further.

Chapter One

Five years later.  Appalachian Mountains, Upper South Carolina.

Raven Cloud scratched idly at the side of his horse's ear as they moved slowly along the well-worn trail toward Chota Town.  His mind was a flurry of thoughts as the distance to the Cherokee village shrank.

Beside him, Derek Smith rode quietly as well, the other young man's thoughts on the wife, Nancy, he'd left back at the trading post.  Derek was a good traveling companion.  He had attended school with Raven back in England.  The fellow student had completed his classes a year before, and the half-breed’s stories of Chota Town drew him to the area.  They had corresponded, and when Raven came back, Derek insisted that they go to the village together.

Derek was a trader now, and thought the visit would be a good opportunity to expand his routes.  Behind him, a team of mules towed a small wagon of goods, with just a bit of Derek's specialties inside as well as some of their traveling gear. 

Derek glanced over at Raven, “Cheer up, mate.  You're going home.  You're supposed to be happy about that sort of thing.”

Raven tried to decide if he was coming home, or if he still had to find his own place after all.  He gave a faint smile, “Oh, I'm happy to be going home, I just wonder if they'll even recognize me after all this time.”  His appearance would make most deny that he should be a part of the Cherokee town.  He wore a tricorn hat, a long-sleeved shirt with a vest, and pants tucked into some well-worn boots.

His horse, Wind, waded through a full creek as his thoughts busied him.  He wanted to feel ready when entering the village, yet the closer he came, the more uneasy he felt.  Though still a young man, he considered himself mostly grown, and very capable at taking care of himself.  School in England had been good for him, and he had excelled at his studies.

Yet, being back in the village would be a different kind of test, and writing an essay would not convince any warriors of his worth.  Truly, if not for the mission, he might never have returned.

Of course, he did want to see his Funny Face again.  He smiled at the thought of Golden Dawn.  Leaving her behind had been his one regret.  She was a little sister to him, and Raven wanted to protect her from those of the village that didn't fully accept her.  It still made his blood boil to think that something as stupid as blonde hair and blue eyes could affect their perception.  He reminded himself she had been in the village without him for several years and by her letters, she was fairing just fine.

He drew his horse to a stop as the tall timber walls rose into view.  It was a strong place, with well-constructed defenses surrounded by tree-covered hills.  A vast mix of flora peppered the landscape so that it was never any one color; green, gold, brown, and bright flower hues made the view majestic.  Returning had been difficult with only the thought of fulfilling a task, but returning for the land and half-forgotten friends suddenly made it seem more worthwhile.  He felt his expression soften and he smiled as he took a deep breath.  The air was cool, clean, and incredibly refreshing.

He tensed again as the same thought that had tortured him flashed into his mind for the hundredth time that day.  What was he going to say to James Fitzgerald?  More importantly, what would he say to Red Panther?  They were the same person, and yet, it seemed as if Raven would be addressing them separately for events from the past.

Derek slowed to a stop beside his musing friend, “It's just as you described it, quite a wonder for the sight.”  He looked back toward Raven, giving a smile, “Well, Mr. Cloud, are you ready?”

Raven Cloud took another deep breath, letting his face relax as he exhaled.  The half-truths of social life in England had taught him to mask his true feelings better than any stoic-faced brave.  He straightened his back, bracing as if expecting an attack.  He nodded, “Let's go inside.”

The trader raised his eyebrows, as if taken aback by the dramatic change brought on by something subtle and hard to place.  Shrugging, he beckoned his horse forward, and soon the two were at the gate.

Raven called out his request to enter the village, addressing the warriors standing along the tall wall.  After their response, the two travelers entered one at a time through the narrow gateway.  The mules and their load stood to the side where Derek tied them off before entering.

Once both were in the village, they halted the horses and dismounted with reins held loosely in hand.  It seemed as if the entire village headed toward them.  Without doubt, they were all curious about the strange looking newcomers and the rumor of one who had returned.  Soon, a large group crowded around them, asking questions in a mix of Cherokee and English.

Surprising all except Raven, Derek answered back in the beloved language, “I am honored to be allowed into your town, and look forward to meeting with many of you.  I have brought goods from the trading post, and will be happy to trade whatever you are willing to offer.” 

The two friends had spoken Cherokee while in school, Derek showing patient dedication to learn the language.  Raven was pleased to hear how well he spoke and to see his easy acceptance into the village.

Soon enough, Raven's identity was confirmed as word got around that he had returned.  Several recognized him the moment they saw him, and some joked about his Englishman's outfit.  Chief Dancing Cloud stepped from his lodge, watching from the distance as he spoke to a warrior.

Raven noticed some of the crowd parting as if to make a way.  Derek looked up as a tall red-haired brave strode toward them.  Raven heard his friend make an appreciative grunt.  Beside the tall brave walked a beautiful woman with ebony hair, strong features, and a fine form.  Between the two a young boy, which Raven knew to be about four summers, swung by lifting his feet and letting his parents carry him by his hands.  This was the first time he’d seen Little Fox, though letters from Panther were filled with pride about their new son.  Next to New Moon stood a slightly shorter girl, hair practically glowing for it seemed spun from gold.

“Funny Face…you have grown much.  What has become of my little near-sister?”  The beautiful tongue passed from his lips like a fond memory, and he welcomed its returned use, “Come, let me see you.”  He passed off control of his horse to Derek and began sprinting toward a family he missed more than he had realized.

The girl stopped in her tracks, expression confused, “Raven Who Flies... you're back!”  She broke into a grin that was pure exuberance.  Hurrying forward, she practically leapt at Raven while fighting back tears of happiness.

Raven took her up in his arms, lifting Golden Dawn into a tight hug as he spoke to her softly, “I am sorry for being gone for so long.  I missed you, my little Funny Face.”

Dawn put her hands over his ears.  She pulled his head forward as she bumped heads with the young man, her forehead hitting his playfully as memories flooded back about the one she had adored since before memory, “You had to go, I know that now.”  Then, her expression went quizzical as she slipped back to the ground, “I hear that you call yourself Raven Cloud,” she placed a hand to his cheek, “your skin is pale and…” she brought her hand down to feel the fabric of his shirt. “  You wear white man’s cloths.”  She looked back up at Raven and grinned.  “I don’t care if you no longer know how to dress.  Are you really returning?  Promise me you will not leave again.”

“Must you question him so,” Panther spoke up from behind his daughter, arm slipped about New Moon's waist, “before he's even had chance to have a proper welcome to the village?”

Raven took control of his expression as his figure stiffened.  He gave a small, controlled nod at the one who was practically his father; the man had given him his entire life, as far as Raven was concerned.  Yet, there was still anger living in his heart toward the red-haired brave.  The voyage to England had been instructive, and had allowed him to leave behind mistakes.  It had also been against his will.

However, his time away had trained his emotions in addition to training his mind, and he kept a neutral expression as he looked over the other man's shoulder, “Red Panther.  I return after completion of the teachings from England.  I return after having learned much, and suffered often for being away from this land.  I ask your permission to stay a while again, but will do as you ask of me wherever that may lead.”

Panther moved directly in front of Raven.  He clasped a firm grip on his near-son's shoulder, “You may stay if the Chief allows it.  I have no quarrel with you, Raven Who Flies To Meet The Clouds.  You have done well.”  He smiled, dropping his hand down and clasping Raven's own hand in a more English form of greeting.  They shared a strong handshake, “Now, we must get you unpacked and comfortable, and perhaps into some proper clothing.”

Raven gave a small smile, releasing the handshake.

Little Fox, who had watched the newcomer with an angry squint, squalled in excitement.

Raven turned his attention to the child who was now dancing in place waving his arms about excitedly and jabbering in a muddled mixture of the beloved tongue and English.

Fox’s parents laughed and New Moon gave Little Fox a push toward Raven.  “Go say hello to Raven, Little Fox.”

Raven couldn’t hide the grin that crept across his face as the child turned his attention back to Raven.  His childish eyes grew wide as he stepped back and peeped out from behind his mother.

“Hello, Little Fox.”  Not to seem so intimidating, Raven squatted down.  “I am glad to finally meet you.”  The little boy blinked but made no other move.

“What have you been telling our little brother about me, Funny Face?  I think he is frightened of me.”

“Oh, don’t be silly, Little Buffalo.  He is looking at you with awe and wonder.”

“I see.”  Raven rose and turned back to Panther, “I am ready to change clothes, but there is something I must do.  Derek will take our horses to the visitor's lodge.  I would have a word with Dancing Cloud.”  He gave a glance back at Golden Dawn, “And, little Funny Face, who is not so little any longer, we shall soon laugh together again.”

Panther bid Golden Dawn to lead Raven’s friend to the visitor's lodge before turning again to Raven, “Come, we will now speak with the Chief.”  He smiled at New Moon, giving her a wave, “We have business to deal with.  When we return to our place, let us have a good meal of welcome.”

New Moon smiled back, “Do not take too long, my husband.  If the food begins to cool, your daughter and I might eat it all ourselves.”

Red Panther chuckled and then Raven followed him into Dancing Cloud's lodge.

The Chief was already situated as they entered, gesturing to the two men so that they might take seats in the large room.  He waited until both had found cane backrests to sit upon, watching with an even gaze and thoughtful quiet, “So, Raven Who Flies To Meet The Clouds.  You have come back to Chota Town, and are asking to see me with a tone that suggests great importance.  Your reasons for returning are not entirely your own.”

Raven Cloud glanced at Panther, then back to the Chief, “What you say is true, I do not return only for my own longing.”  He raised his hand to gesture at Red Panther, “I come bearing news of this one's old life.  Fitzgerald Shipping is being threatened, and James Fitzgerald as a result.”

Panther's eyebrows rose as he took in this new information, “Yet, you bring this up to the chief, when it sounds as if it is only a matter for me to consider.  How do the evil acts of those across the sea affect the interests of the village?”

Dancing Cloud nodded, “I agree, though I am glad to know of information relating to a cherished friend.  Do you ask to take Red Panther away over the waters?”

Raven shook his head, peering up at the ceiling as he thought, “Unfortunately, the evil has come to us.  I warn the both of you now because the plot was discovered to involve mercenaries that may attack directly.”

Panther's jaw clenched, eyes narrowing, “How did you learn of this?”

“The head of shipping in England approached me, Douglas Snyder,” Raven stared at the ground, “I had not known they were aware of me.  I suppose I should have known that your people would be tracking me.”

“You are still my responsibility, and I simply asked for them to take care of you.”

Raven shrugged, glancing into Panther's eyes with a grim face.  His gaze slid away from those blue eyes and over the owner's shoulder, “Whatever the reason, it seems they trusted me enough to ask that I deliver a message.  According to them, anything written…’
could be intercepted’
.  They had rooted out a disloyal worker from the shipyards.  The man's belongings included small notes, messages carried by bird.”

“What did they say?”  Panther thought he knew where this was going.  It was not the first time this kind of problem had arisen.

“There are plans to kill you, here in the colonies.  Renegade warriors are going to attack you for one reason or another.  At least, the reports will say so.  The notes mentioned that the plan was being carried out, and the worker should expect to be promoted soon.”  Raven smirked, eyes flicking back to Panther's, “They'll find your Will over here, apparently, and it will direct your entire company to be sold off to Allan Radcliffe.”

Raven could easily see that Red Panther fought the urge to stand and pace, fought the urge to jump up and take action.