Into the Unknown Pt. 2

Grizzly Mountains, February 1897

Runs with the Wind spent the early morning rummaging through the mining camp. He was heading into the Grizzlies with a stolen horse and only the supplies he was able to grab quickly before he escaped, he needed more supplies. The cold mountain air whipped through the holes in the rotting wood of the buildings as he searched through them. The camp had long been abandoned; the rotting planks of wood now home to small creatures desperate to seek shelter from the biting wind. Runs with the Wind imagined the camp was once a thriving place full of activity. Men hauling carts of rock and mineral out of the mine, cooks preparing the evening’s supper, the sound of dynamite ringing through the air. But now, all that was left was the deteriorating silhouettes of the buildings they had once been. Among the buildings there were remnants of supplies and provisions strewn about, most likely left behind by gangs and degenerates that had taken refuge in the rubble just as he had.

Runs with the Wind searched the large building at the front of the camp which had been a storage building for dynamite and ammunition. He was able to find a few sticks of dynamite in an old crate, as well as some rifle ammunition, a couple bottles of half-drank bourbon and some cigarettes. He opened one of the bottles of bourbon and took a large swig. The dark liquid burned as it went down, giving him a small sense of warmth against the cold air. He stashed the rest of the bourbon and cigarettes in the saddle bag on his horse and continued searching the camp.

As he moved through the other buildings, Runs with the Wind was able to pick up a few rations scattered about; a box of biscuits here, a can of peaches there, etc. There wasn’t much, but he hoped it would be enough to at least get by until he could set up camp and hunt. He stopped for a moment to watch as a small family of rabbits climbed out from under one of the buildings into the morning air. There was something calming about watching them work together to find food. They all moved freely about the camp, calling to each other softly as they found something to eat, stopping only briefly to look at Runs with the Wind as they went about their morning. Runs with the Wind then looked up to see a chickadee flying overhead. He watched as the bird carried small twigs to a nearby tree to build her nest for the coming spring.

His life for the past year had been chaos. Everything he had known had been flipped upside down and he had no one left to turn to. But up here in the mountains of Ambarino, life continued as normal; blissfully unaware of the world changing down below. Strangely enough, in the last few years Runs with the Wind had never felt more at home than he did in this moment. The rabbits, the birds, the elks, he felt connected to them. They truly felt like his brothers and sisters, just as he had been taught by the tribal elders.

His moment of peace was then interrupted by the sound of a gunshot and men shouting in the distance. A moment of panic quickly washed over him as he feared they were Samuel Wyatt’s men out looking for him. His peace would have to wait, he needed to disappear. He worked quickly to gather up his findings and store them in the saddle bags, trying to fit as many items as he could. Once everything was packed up, he ran over to the shack he had slept in and used the abundance of snow to put out the remaining fire in the stove. He was trying as best he could to erase the evidence of his stay at the camp. Once the fire was out, he untied his horse from the hitching post and headed northeast over the hill that overlooked the camp.

He watched behind him as he crested the hill to make sure he wasn’t being followed. He didn’t have time to cover the tracks he left behind, but he hoped to be far enough north by the time anyone caught up to him that any incoming snow would cover his tracks.  The thick layer of fresh powder made it hard to move, but he pressed his horse further up the mountain.

Runs with the Wind wasn’t sure where he was headed. He had been up in the mountains a few times when he was younger on hunting trips, but never this far west. It was unfamiliar territory, but he knew the further north he went, the less likely it was that he would be followed. He had no choice but to head into the unknown.

As he pressed forward, his surroundings were an endless sea of white and he found himself getting lost in its beauty. The way the rising sun reflected like crystals on the snow-covered path made him feel as though he were riding through a crystal palace. He breathed in the fresh smell of pine from the trees that surrounded him and listened as woodpeckers bore holes into their trunks. The mountains seemed to tower over him like a giant trying to touch the sky. The cold stone of the mountains were scattered with freshly fallen snow, perfectly placed into the pockets and crevasses of rock. The further he pressed on, the colder the biting wind became. The wind whipped through the air around him and sounded as if it were trying to whisper to him. He pulled the fur collar of his coat tighter around his neck to keep the wind from creeping in and pulled his bandana up around his face.

As Runs with the Wind crested a small hill, he was met by a large clearing of land created by a mostly frozen lake. The bright sun and blue sky reflected perfectly like a mirror on the uncovered patches of ice as he moved closer. At the far end of the lake stood a deer on the edge drinking in the icy water. It looked up for a moment as it heard the faint whinnies of Runs with the Wind’s horse as they came to the edge, but no sooner went back to drinking once it felt it was safe. Patches of snow danced upon the lake, propelled by the occasional gust of wind that escaped into the basin.

Runs with the Wind dismounted from his horse and lead him to the edge to drink. His new mount had worked hard in the little time they had been together, and he deserved to rest a while. Runs with the Wind reached into the saddle bag and found an apple that he had taken from the ranch and fed it to his horse, who happily took the apple from his hand. Runs with the Wind then grabbed a box of biscuits and a cigarette for himself and sat down on the edge of the lake. He leaned forward to take a drink, the icy water shocking his senses as he drank. He lit the cigarette and took a long drag as he looked out over the lake.

If he wasn’t running for his life, Runs with the Wind would have stayed in that moment forever. The calm serenity of the lake, the wildlife it drew, the evergreens reaching up toward the sky -  it was all breathtaking. He wanted to stop and pitch camp here, but he feared he wasn’t quite far enough north. Anyone who knew this area well enough would know of this place and would most likely think of it as the perfect hiding spot for someone on the run.

Runs with the Wind sat for a little while, taking in the scenery around him. After some time, he noticed clouds rolling in over the mountains; snow would be arriving soon. He stood up from his spot along the water and shook the snow off his clothes. The incoming cloud cover was also bringing in a stronger wind that felt cold against his snow-covered clothes. He stepped into the saddle and led his horse around the west side of the lake. As he rounded the corner, he could see a small stream coming from the north that fed into the lake. He thought it might be a good idea to follow the stream for a little while to find a place secluded enough that was close to a water source.

When the stream split in two a little ways north of the lake, he followed the smaller of the two streams, hoping anyone that might follow would think to follow the larger stream. The sky was growing darker and snow was beginning to fall. He knew he needed to pitch camp soon. Runs with the Wind followed the stream to its head at the base of a waterfall that had been long frozen over on the outer surface. Large icicles stood like pillars along the cliff, protecting the freely flowing water held beneath the ice. As Runs with the Wind drew closer, he could see something at the base of the waterfall.

When he reached the waterfall, he was taken back by what he saw. A horse and its rider long forgotten, flesh torn apart and rotting away. The rider’s belongings were strewn about along the ice and had remained untouched. Runs with the Wind bent down to examine the remains. The horse - both rotting flesh and bone showing – looked like something out of a scary story the older children in his tribe would tell the younger ones. The rider was curled up a few feet away, his appearance similar to that of the horse. Runs with the Wind bowed his head and prayed for the stranger and his horse, who met their demise with no one there to help them. The snowy mountains of Ambarino can be a cold and unforgiving place, tucked away and different from the rest of the world. In the states down below the enemy was man and greed, while up here the enemy was nature itself – the cold, biting wind and the creatures that roamed the mountainside.

Runs with the Wind stood up and walked back over to his horse, not touching any of the stranger’s belongings. He headed west over a hill that led to a small clearing. At the bottom of the hill he was surprised to find a small cabin hidden away among the trees.

Runs with the Wind dismounted and grabbed his rifle from the saddle and cautiously walked toward the front of the cabin. The cabin was covered in snow with cloths and paper covering the open windows. As far as he could see the cabin seemed empty – no smoke coming from the chimney or lights coming from inside. Still, his heart beat fast as he approached the front of the cabin. Runs with the Wind pulled back the fabric from one of the window coverings and peered inside and was relieved to find that the room was empty. He worked to remove the snow that had built up at the base of the door, which was a good sign that the cabin had been unoccupied for some time. He stopped for a moment to wonder if the stranger he found by the waterfall had been the one living here. He pushed the thought aside as he broke through the build up of snow and ice and opened the door.

In the diminishing light, he could see there was a lantern suspended from the ceiling in the middle of the room. He went out to retrieve a set of matches from his saddle bags and returned to light the lantern. The cabin was small with only one room. A stone fireplace stood along the back wall of the cabin.

As he moved about, he kicked up dust from the dirt floor that sat undisturbed for so long. Beside the fireplace was a table and chairs, with letters and posters hung on the wall behind it. In the corner by the doorway was a stash of hunting and survival gear – traps, snowshoes, and axe. The cabin must have been used as a hunting cabin. Runs with the Wind rummaged through the shelves at the foot of the bed but didn’t find much worth taking.

Runs with the Wind had just been searching for some place to rest for the night until he could regroup and keep moving forward, but he found much more than that. This cabin had all the essentials he needed to survive in the Grizzlies: a cabin, tucked away in the solitude of the mountains, a means to keep warm, and a means to hunt for food. He thought this place to be as good as any to take refuge for a while. No one would find him up here just by stumbling upon it.

Runs with the Wind began to breathe a little easier knowing he would be safe for a while. He went outside to the back of the cabin and found a small stash of firewood. It wasn’t much, but it would keep him warm through the night until he could chop more wood in the morning. He brought the firewood in and lit a fire in the fireplace. Once the fire was lit, he went out to retrieve the items from his saddle bags to bring them inside. He hitched his horse along the front of the cabin to keep him from the wind at least for the night.  

Runs with the Wind carefully placed his belongings on the shelves at the foot of the bed and grabbed for a bottle of bourbon once he was finished. The fire was providing much-needed warmth to the cabin, giving the items inside a chance to defrost. It had been some time since Runs with the Wind had felt the true warmth of a fire. The stove from the previous night’s stay at the mining camp had been the first time in months that he had felt warm, but the shack’s dilapidated walls did little to keep the heat in. When he was held captive, he was never permitted to sit by the fire at the Wyatts’ camps. The only tools he was given to keep warm was the raggedy old coat they had given him, which he was surprised to even receive. But now, with four solid walls around him, the warmth from the fire worked to fill the room, reaching every corner of the small cabin. As the fire grew Runs with the Wind could feel his limbs begin to defrost, slowly regaining all their feelings.

Runs with the Wind sat by the fire for a long while, mesmerized by the flames dancing about the logs and the cracking sounds they made. After a while his eyes grew tired, exhausted from the journey up the mountain. He placed another log on the fire to last through the night and he crawled into the rickety bed on the opposite side of the cabin. As he laid there for a moment, he realized that for the first time in several months, he wasn’t afraid to go to sleep. Before, he had always been worried that one of Samuel’s men would grow tired of him and kill him in his sleep. He had feared going to sleep and always tried to fight the sleep in order to stay alive. Even the night before he had been afraid that Samuel’s men would catch up to him and kill him before he got the chance to run. But now, tucked away in the wild mountains of Amabino away from the rest of the world, he finally felt at ease, that he would be able to sleep peacefully and not be in constant fear for his life. As he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep, he breathed a sigh of relief; now he was finally free at last.

Into the Unknown Pt. 1

Cumberland Forest, June 1895

  “Runs with the Wind! Hurry up or I’m leaving without you!” Runs with the Wind’s brother, Barking Fox yelled as he mounted his horse and started forward.

“Don’t be so impatient, we’ve got plenty of time!” Runs with the wind yelled back as he loaded his bag of furs onto the back of his horse.

Runs with the Wind stepped into the stirrup and swung his other leg over to the other side. He waited a moment to catch his breath, then raced forward to catch up with his brother.

Runs with the Wind and Barking Fox were headed to Dewberry Creek at the boarder between New Hannover and Lemoyne to collect a wagon of provisions for their tribe. Some time ago a group of hunters from their tribe saved a man from Lemoyne from a pack of hungry wolves. In exchange for saving him, he promised them provisions from the general store in Rhodes where his friend was a clerk. This expression of gratitude prompted a business between the tribe and the men from Lemoyne. Every few months, they would trade animal furs and skins for a wagon of provisions ranging from food to ammunition to medicine. These provisions helped the tribe tremendously, giving them much-needed items in exchange for a little extra hunting.

“What’s the rush?” Runs with the Wind asked once he finally caught up with Barking Fox. “Peter and Jeremiah aren’t going to pack up and leave if we’re a little late. He needs these furs as much as we need the wagon.”

“Yellow Bird is very sick and she needs medicine soon. The faster we get to Dewberry Creek, the faster we can make it back here.”  

Barking Fox had a somber tone in his voice. Their people were constantly plagued by illness and they had lost too many members to count. It was up to the two of them to retrieve the wagon and bring back much-needed medicine.

“Don’t worry, we will make it back in plenty of time. We have run this route a hundred times.” Runs with the Wind replied, trying to look on the positive side of things.

Members of the tribe often took turns meeting Peter and Jeremiah to make the trade, but Barking Fox and Runs with the Wind had made the trip the most. Since their father had died of an illness when they were young, the two brothers stuck together and remained very close into adulthood.

There was a long pause that followed the conversation. Their people had faced many hardships and it 

was getting more and more difficult to remain in good spirits.

Runs with the Wind spoke to try and lighten the mood.

“We have a lot of nice pelts to trade this time around, the spring months were good to us. Peter and Jeremiah better give us something good for these. The wolf pelt Iron Wings collected could fetch a high price.” Runs with the Wind smirked as if he knew what he was about to say would get him smacked. “And that cougar that I killed in Roanoke Ridge will fetch an even higher one.”

“What do you mean the cougar that you killed?!” Barking Fox shot back, taken back by the audacity of his younger brother. “I’m the one that killed him, not you!”

“Sure, sure, you pulled the trigger. But I distracted him for you so you could get the clean shot. I risked my life so you could take the prize! What if you had missed?! I could have been dead somewhere in Roanoke Ridge if you hadn’t taken the shot in time!”

Barking Fox began to laugh and pushed his horse to pick up the pace.

“I don’t miss my shots!” Barking Fox said confidently as he sped past Runs with the Wind.

The two brothers laughed and joked with each other the rest of the way to Dewberry Creek. After so many hardships and setbacks, it was good to laugh and enjoy each other’s company again.

When they reached Dewberry Creek, they were met by their friend Peter Steinbrook and Jeremiah Thompson, the clerk from the Rhodes general store.

"Ah, boys it’s good to see you! It’s been some time since you’ve been the ones to make the trade.” Peter, the older of the two men said enthusiastically.

“We’ve been busy, old man.” Barking Fox said as he laughed.

“I get it, I get it. Too busy to visit with an old man like me.”

“Now that ain’t fair, Pete.” Runs with the Wind chimed in. “We lead very busy lives, we can’t sit on our ass all day like you do!”

The three men, Runs with the Wind, Barking Fox, and Peter all let out a good laugh at the remark, but were soon interrupted by Jeremiah.

“Alright, enough with the jabs. Let’s get this trade moving.”

Jeremiah seemed nervous, Runs with the Wind noticed. His interruption was uncharacteristic of him. He would normally be one to joke right along with the others, but today he seemed different.

“Jeremiah is right, we should get things moving. We’ve got a sick child back at camp that needs this medicine as soon as possible.” Barking Fox said. He must not have noticed Jeremiah’s change in character.

“We’ve got a nice collection of pelts for you, as promised.” Runs with the Wind said as he turned to face Jeremiah. “There better be something good in it for us.”

Runs with the Wind looked at Jeremiah as he spoke, trying to read Jeremiah’s expression. Something 

was different, and it made Runs with the Wind nervous.

“Don’t you worry, there are plenty of nice goods packed on the wagon for you.” Peter reassured them. “Plenty of medicine for the little one, fresh fruits and vegetables, and enough ammunition to supply a small army.”

“Very good! Thank you both.” Barking Fox replied, shaking Peter’s hand.

Barking Fox and Runs with the Wind hitched the wagon up onto Barking Fox’s horse and loaded the furs onto Peter and Jeremiah’s horses and were on their way. The first part of the ride back was quiet, but Runs with the Wind hadn’t noticed.

“You’ve been awfully quiet since we left Dewberry Creek, brother.” Barking Fox finally said to break the silence.

“Did Jeremiah seem different to you?” Runs with the Wind asked.

“Different how?” Barking Fox replied.

“Jeremiah is usually one to joke along with us and he’s usually much more talkative. Today, he was quiet and kept looking around nervously. Almost as if he didn’t want to be seen with us.”

“You’re looking into it too much. Maybe he just had somewhere else to be?” Barking Fox replied. He didn’t seem too overly concerned about Jeremiah’s behavior.

“I don’t think you’re looking into it enough.” Runs with the Wind snapped back. “I’m telling you something seemed off about him today.”

Barking Fox was quiet for a moment, as if he was trying to decide if he would side with his brother or against him.

“Well it doesn’t seem to matter now.” He said finally. “We have the wagon and provisions, don’t we? All that matters is that we get this wagon back to camp as soon as possible.”

“I guess you’re right.” Runs with the Wind replied. He didn’t really think so, but he didn’t want to press further and upset his brother.

The ride was quiet again until they neared Heartland Oil Fields.

“What’s that up ahead?” Runs with the Wind asked, seeing a group of men and horses ahead of them on the road.

“It looks like a roadblock.” Barking Fox replied. “Should we go around them?”

“No, I think that would look suspicious. We’d have to stray off the path to avoid them. Maybe they’re looking for someone?”

“I’m not sure, but keep your gun ready just in case.”

As the two men neared the roadblock, they saw a familiar face.

 “Now hold it right there, boys.” Samuel Wyatt commanded as he stepped down from his horse.

Barking Fox brought the wagon to a halt and Runs with the Wind followed suit. A sense of panic and nervousness washed over him. He had only met Samuel Wyatt once and that was almost ten years ago when Samuel helped move his people off their land in the Heartlands. What was he doing here? Was he after them?

“Mr. Wyatt, it’s been some time since we’ve seen you. Too busy running other people off their land?” 

There was anger and tension in Barking Fox’s voice, Runs with the Wind noticed. It was something Runs with the Wind didn't usually see/ His brother was normally calm and collected, but now he seemed hostile. Barking Fox must be just as nervous as he was.

“No need for the hostility, son. A mouth like that will only get you into trouble. We just need to check somethin’ then we’ll be on our way.” Samuel Wyatt replied. He spoke like his words carried importance.  

“What is it you need to check?” Barking Fox asked, his voice shaking. He was nervous, but he wasn’t sure why. They had done nothing wrong.

“We received word that the wagon you’re runnin’ might be stolen. We just want to check to see if that’s true.”  

“That’s absurd! We obtained this wagon in a fair trade, as we always do. This wagon is rightfully ours!” Barking Fox snapped back.  

“Well then! We won’t have nothin’ to worry about, then. Right?” The corners of Samuel’s lips curved up into a conniving smirk. Samuel moved around to the back of the wagon and began to lift up some of the supplies.

“Ah-ha! What do we have here?” Samuel lifted up a box of vegetables to reveal what was underneath, the Wyatt family logo brandished into the floorboards of the wagon.

They had been set up.

Barking Fox was furious. “That can’t be right! We acquired this wagon fair and square from the clerk at the Rhodes General Store.”

“And what proof of that do you have, my boy? All I see here is a pair of savages and a wagon that belongs to me.”

Barking Fox stepped down from the wagon and walked toward Samuel. “You’ll regret saying that.”

“Barking Fox don’t-“ Runs with the Wind tried to interrupt before Barking Fox’s temper got the best of him.

“Is that a threat, boy?” Samuel said, staring down Barking Fox. If looks could kill this would be the look that could surely kill them both.

“You set us up!” Runs with the Wind interrupted, hoping to keep the attention off Barking Fox.

“Men like Mr. Thompson are simple folk.” Samuel began. “All you have to do is wave a little money in front of them and they’ll do just about anythin’ you want.”

“So you paid Jeremiah to load the supplies in to one of your wagons. Why?” Barking Fox asked, inching closer to Samuel.

“You see, I have a business partner who dabbles a little in the fur trade business. The quality of his furs are really somethin’. They are quite are unmatched…well that was until he started sellin’ his furs in Lemoyne. It seems your trade is hurtin’ his business, which in turn is hurtin’ my business.”

“So you framed us for stealing? To help a friend sell some more furs?” Runs with the Wind asked confusedly. He tried to process what was happening, but nothing made sense to him. Why go through all this trouble just to sell a few more furs?

Samuel walked around to the side of the wagon and laid his arm on the wagon to rest. “Here you are, caught with a stolen wagon. Now I could do what any other man would do and take this to the authorities where you’ll be hanged within a week.”

Now things were starting to make sense. Samuel Wyatt was just as cunning and slimy as he had heard. He was spinning their misfortune into profit for himself.

“But, being the generous man I am, I propose a deal instead. You give me the collection of furs you would normally give Mr. Thompson and Mr. Steinbrook, and in return I won’t turn you in to the authorities. How does that sound?”

Barking Fox’s anger got the best of him and he snapped. He drew his weapon and began to close the gap between him and Samuel. “To hell with your deal!”

-BANG-

--------------------------------------------------

Runs with the Wind woke up in the early hours of the morning in a cold sweat on the floor of the dingy shack in the mountains. He had been dreaming about that horrible day again, just as he had many nights before. It wasn’t really a dream; it was a nightmare. Runs with the Wind picked himself off the floor and went over to the stove to re-light the fire. Once the fire was lit, he sat down in front of the stove and lit a cigarette. He took a long drag of the cigarette as his mind wandered back to that day.

It seemed like everything had happened in a blur.  He remembered seeing his brother’s body fall to the ground in pain, a bullet wound in his chest. Barking Fox’s painful yelp is a sound he’ll never forget. Runs with the Wind had jumped off his horse and rushed over to his brother, but Samuel stepped in front of him and aimed his gun at Runs with the Wind.

He had begged Samuel to let him go to help his brother. “You can take the wagon a-and we won’t trade furs in Rhode anymore! P-p-please! Let me save my brother!” Fear, sadness, and anger had welled up inside him and he had stuttered trying to get the words out of his mouth.

Runs with the Wind shuttered as he remembered Samuel’s response.

“I’ll do you one better.” Samuel had said as he let Runs with the Wind by to reach his brother. “I’ll let you go, if you get out.”

Runs with the Wind had been confused by the remark. “Wh-what?”

It was a threat. Samuel wanted Runs with the Wind and his people out of New Hannover, out of West Elizabeth, out of anywhere the Wyatts controlled.

Runs with the Wind agreed to everything, he didn’t care. He just needed to get his brother home. He was still alive, but barely. He couldn’t waste any more time.  

Runs with the Wind put out his cigarette and went over to sit on the edge of the rickety bed. He 

couldn’t help them, but tears began to flow as he remembered the moments that followed.

Runs with the Wind had helped his brother up on to the back of Taima, Runs with the Wind’s horse. 

“Hold on, brother! We’ll get you home.” He had said as he forced Taima into motion. He pushed his trusty mount as hard as he could go back to their camp in Cumberland Forest. The trees became a blur as he passed them, and the road seemed to be getting longer and longer the further he pressed on. 

The trip from Heatland Oil Fields to camp wasn’t normally long, but that day it had seemed like it 

was ages before he made it back to camp. The closer they got to camp, the more he could feel Barking Fox’s grip slipping around his waist. He was losing him.

“Almost there! Stay with me! Please, I’m not losing you!” Tears had begun to flow, clouding his vision.

“Brother…” Barking Fox had managed to muster up enough strength to speak, taking long breaths between words. “Flowering Moon…my children…take care of them for me.”

“No, don’t say that! We’re almost there, we can save you! Please…stay with me!” Runs with the Wind could barely see the road ahead of him through the tears. Through his clouded vision he could see smoke ahead of them just up the hill. They were almost there. He put his full faith into Taima to lead them the rest of the way home.

When they finally reached camp Runs with the Wind yelled for help as he pulled Barking Fox from 

the horse. But it was too late.

“Brother…take care of them.”

Runs with the Wind stood up from the bed and walked over to the doorway, warm tears flowing freely down his cheeks. His brother’s last words played in his head over and over, just like they had for the past year and a half. Thinking about it, he can’t help but feel a pang of guilt. His brother had asked Runs with the Wind to take care of his wife, Flowering Moon and their two children when he died. They were Barking Fox’s last words to him. Instead, Runs with the Wind had run off on a revenge mission. The rest of his tribe feared retaliation from the Wyatts and packed up camp to head north shortly after Barking Fox was buried. But Runs with the Wind didn’t want to run, he wanted to fight. The Wyatt family had wreaked havoc on his people for far too long and he wanted to put an end to it.

Runs with the Wind recalled the words their Chief had said to him as they were packing up.

“You are wise beyond your years, my son. But now I fear the need for revenge is clouding your judgement. This fight is ours no longer, we will not survive if we continue on. But if this is truly the path you have chosen to take, then may the Great Spirit be with you on your journey.”

Runs with the Wind wiped the tears from his eyes and went over to stoke the fire. This was no time to be sad, he thought. Runs with the Wind had endured six months of torture under the direction of Samuel Wyatt. He remained strong through constant prayer and spiritual guidance and that strength carried him through until he could make his escape. The world had seemed so bleak and so cold for a time. But now he was a free man once again, and though he did not look like it physically, he felt stronger than ever.   

Eye for an Eye

Big Valley, February 1897

Runs with the Wind sat in the back of the lead wagon on the way to Hanging Dog Ranch in Big Valley, West Elizabeth. As usual, he was tied at the wrists and was accompanied by Abe, one of the Wyatts’ guards assigned to keep tabs on him. Bruises adorned his wrists where a rope was always tied to keep him from running away in between meetings, and he worked to try to loosen the ropes to give him some relief.

They were headed there to meet up with one of Samuel’s brothers, James, who owned the ranch. In the morning, Runs with the Wind would go with James, Samuel, and their men to meet up with a tribe of natives at Blackbone Forest. It would be the usual meeting; Samuel would try to convince them to give up their land and if they refused, Runs with the Wind would step in and work with them to strike a deal.

It had been six months since Samuel Wyatt had captured him, and six months of hell he endured working for him. Runs with the Wind was weak. For six months he was fed just enough to stay alive. He longed for something substantial; for food that would make him full instead of leaving him hungry. He was getting thinner by the day and had no strength left in him.

In the first couple months Runs with the Wind fought back any chance he could; charging at the guardsmen, trying to escape, trying to ruin deals. Anything to cause hell for the Wyatt family in hopes that they would either let him go or kill him. At that point he hadn’t really cared which outcome he would see. Anything would be better than being a slave to the Wyatts. Even death. They had broken him down and now he was just a shell of the man he once was.

Runs with the Wind learned, however, that neither of those two options were available. When he would disobey or defy the Wyatts, he would be beaten just to the brink of death. But they always made sure he lived. They needed him to carry out their plans and weren’t going to give up so easily.

Eventually, Runs with the Wind stopped pushing back. His body couldn’t take another beating, he was already bruised enough. As much as it pained him, he knew his only option was to obey their commands and ride it out until they either grew tired of him or he could make a clean escape.

As the wagon train approached Hanging Dog Ranch, they were met at the gate by James Wyatt. James had dark hair just like his brother, but sported thick side burns instead of a mustache.  He was dressed smartly, more like he was a banker instead of a ranch owner.

They pulled the wagons over next to the barn and Runs with the Wind was released from his ties. He was ushered out to help unpack the wagons as Samuel and James barked orders.  Once the wagons were unloaded, Abe grabbed Runs with the Wind and led him into the barn. Once they were inside, he was shoved into one of the stalls and his hands were once again tied. They went to great lengths to make sure Runs with the Wind was uncomfortable every step of the way and they did their job well. It had been months since Runs with the Wind had slept on anything other than a dirt floor and just as long since he had slept without his hands bound together.

At suppertime Samuel brought Runs with the Wind a small bowl of stew, just enough to slow his hunger. He was untied just long enough to eat the stew as Samuel watched him.

“You’ve become our greatest asset, my boy.” Samuel said as Runs with the Wind finished his stew. "You’ve made my family very wealthy, and that wealth will only grow larger. Once we’ve moved this tribe off their lands we’re heading west to New Austin. That state has been run by outlaws and bandits for far too long. Full of uncivilized folk like yourself ruining great lands.”

Runs with the Wind scoffed at the sound of Samuel calling him uncivilized.

“Don’t you get smart with me, boy!” Samuel said, raising his voice.

Runs with the Wind hated being called “boy,” now more than ever. Six months he had been held by Samuel Wyatt in all that time Samuel had never learned his name. He only referred to Runs with the Wind as “boy.” It was dehumanizing.

“Now you’ll do your job tomorrow and you’ll do it well. These people won’t be so easy to crack, they’re a resilient bunch. But once we crack them, it’s smooth sailing from here on out. And if you do this well, who knows. Maybe you’ll be upgraded to something other than a dirt floor to sleep on.”

Samuel smirked as he said it. It was an empty promise and Runs with the Wind knew that. Just an incentive to ensure that things go well tomorrow, Samuel had no real intentions of giving him upgraded sleeping quarters.

“Now get your rest, boy. Can’t have you looking so disheveled for our meeting tomorrow.”

--------------------------------------------------------------

Runs with the Wind was suddenly woken up by the sound of gunfire and shouting. The guard that was assigned to watch Runs with the Wind ran over to the barn door and opened it slightly to see outside.

“It’s an ambush, we’re under attack!”

The guard and the other men who had been sleeping in the loft of the barn quickly grabbed their guns and rushed outside into the hail of gunfire, leaving Runs with the Wind tied up in one of the stalls. Runs with the Wind worked hastily to try and free himself. He wasn’t sure if the people attacking the ranch were friend or foe and he didn’t want to be a sitting duck.

As he tried to free himself, a group of men burst through the door. They were a mix of white men and natives, presumably men who had all had their land taken from them by the Wyatts.  The men split up to check the barn for anyone who might be hiding, when one of them came across Runs with the Wind.

“Hey Black Elk, you better come see this.” One of the white men said, gesturing to a young, native man.

Black Elk came over to Runs with the Wind and he let out a small chuckle.

“You must be the man we’ve been hearing so much about. Samuel Wyatt’s Native ally.”

“I’m no ally, I’m a prisoner. Runs with the Wind barked back. “If I were a true ally, do you think they would have me chained up in the barn?” He pleaded with the men, hoping they’d free him. “Samuel Wyatt has held me captive for months for making an attempt on his life. I’m no threat to you, but of no use either if you keep me tied up here.”

Black Elk thought for a moment then gestured to one of the other men to cut Runs with the Wind loose. When he was freed, Black Elk tossed him a rifle.

“Don’t make me regret this.”

Runs with the Wind rushed outside to see the chaos unfolding. He saw many of the Wyatts’ men laying lifeless on the ground, while the others feverishly tried to fight off their attackers. Runs with the Wind knew that this was his moment to escape, to get far away from the Wyatts. He looked around to quickly figure out an escape route. He looked around him to see some of Wyatt’s men fleeing into the valley, that wouldn’t work. Then he looked behind him toward the mountains.

“There.” He thought. It was the perfect route, no one would be crazy enough to follow him into the mountains in the middle of winter.

Runs with the Wind made his way to the main house, dodging bullets and guards and shooting anyone who got in his way. If he was going to run to the mountains, he needed supplies. He frantically rummaged through the house picking up provisions and ammunition and putting them into a satchel he found in the bedroom. Once he felt he was stocked enough he made his way out the front door.

As he exited the house and was headed to the hitching posts to fetch a horse, he tripped over something and fell to the ground.

“Oh no you don’t!” He heard a man shout.

Stunned, Runs with the Wind looked up to see the face of James Wyatt staring down at him.

“You’re not getting away from us that easily.” James said as he walked closer to Runs with the Wind.

The next few moments seemed to happen in slow-motion. Without giving it much thought, Runs with the Wind reached for his rifle and aimed it at James. He hesitated for a moment but pulled the trigger before James could react. In a flash, he watched as James fell backwards. Runs with the Wind shouldered his rifle and ran over to see James’ lifeless body laying in the mud, a bullet hole in his face.

As he stood over James Wyatt, he heard a man shout from across the ranch. It was Samuel.

“Shit.” He thought as he bent down to pick up James’ revolver from its holster and began firing. Samuel frantically tried to make his way over to James while shouting at his men to go after Runs with the Wind. Black Elk had seen what happened and he and the others provided cover fire for Runs with the Wind to make an escape.

“Go on, brother!” Black Elk shouted at Runs with the Wind as he made his way over to a chestnut and white horse. “We’ll take it from here, enjoy your newfound freedom.”

Runs with the Wind nodded at Black Elk as he grabbed a lantern and mounted the horse. He turned to look at Samuel, who was standing over his brother’s body.

“Now he knows my pain.” Runs with the Wind thought to himself. James wasn’t his intended target, but it still hurt Samuel all the same and he figured this would slow Samuel down.

“Hyah!” Runs with the Wind shouted as he pushed his new mount into motion. He jumped the fence and headed for the path that led up the mountain.

Runs with the Wind was soon followed by a group of men who began shouting and firing at him. Runs with the Wind pushed his horse to go faster and began weaving in and out of the trees to make him a harder target to hit. As he moved further up the mountain snow began to fall and he began to distance himself from his pursuers. Eventually, the men gave up.

“Leave him, he’ll die up there in the cold anyway.” One of the men had said.

Runs with the Wind didn’t look back, he only kept pushing further north. It wasn’t long before he came across a series of old buildings hidden among the trees and cliffs. Runs with the Wind slowed his horse as the buildings came into better view and he saw that it was an old mining camp.

When he reached the buildings Runs with the Wind dismounted and grabbed his lantern and rifle. He searched the buildings for signs of life but found none. He hitched his horse to the side of one of the buildings and took refuge in a small dilapidated shack. He decided this place was as good as any to rest for a while. He so desperately needed rest if he was going to survive up here. The shack had a small stove and a bed, two luxuries he hadn’t had in a long time. He found some firewood and matches in one of the other buildings and brought them over to the shack and lit a fire in the stove.

He sat close to the stove and pulled out a small box of biscuits from the satchel he had stolen. It had been a long time since he had felt the warmth of a fire. He could feel the fires slowly breathing life back into him, relieving his fingers and toes from the numbness he had felt from the cold. After sitting by the stove for some time, Runs with the Wind began to feel the exhaustion creeping in. For six months he had barely slept. Between the uncomfortableness of sleeping on the dirt with his hands tied and not knowing if or when they would beat him next, it was enough to make him restless. He could feel the heaviness in his eyelids more and more and moved over to the bed to lie down.

He had endured hell for six months, wishing each day that they would grow tired of him and end his life. But now, he no longer wished for that. Now, he was free at last. He closed is eyes and soon drifted off into a deep sleep.

Meeting at Citadel Rock Pt. 2

Meeting at Citadel Rock Pt. 2

Heartlands, 1896

When the wagon train pulled up to the meeting place near Citadel Rock, they were met by a group of tribal men and women. Everyone in the group looked either solemn or angry and Runs with the Wind’s heart ached for them. He knew these people would be losing their land today with the help of him. He was there to make the deal seem sweeter, but Runs with the Wind had never felt more bitter. He wanted to run; to tell these people to keep strong and fight for the land that was rightfully theirs. But it was too late. The wagons slowed to a stop and Samuel once again turned around to Runs with the Wind.

“I want you to listen to me very carefully, boy. The only things you are allowed to tell these…kind people are that they’d be better off findin’ land elsewhere. We’ll be payin’ them a generous sum which will be more than enough money. If they express any doubts, you are to reassure them that this is what’s best for them. Tell ‘em anything you can to get them to agree to this deal. Remember, your life…and now their lives are depending on you.”

Samuel laughed as he stepped down from the wagon and came around to the back. He knew what he was doing was wrong and he loved every minute of it. Runs with the Wind felt the sting of the words Samuel said. The lives of these poor people were in his hands now. If they didn’t hand over their land they’d surely be killed.

“Alright now we’re gonna untie you. Can’t have you lookin’ like a hostage in front of them.” Samuel and the man that had been with him in the back of the wagon both snickered at the remark. “You try to make a run for it and rest assured you’ll be sorry.”

Runs with the Wind was led out of the wagon and untied. It was the first time in almost 3 days he had been free of his ties.

As Runs with the Wind was led over to the tribal members, Samuel’s brother Thomas and his men arrived. Thomas was younger than Samuel, with shoulder-length hair and a clean-shaven face. He dressed differently than Samuel as well. Samuel dressed in suits while Thomas dressed like a rancher. He wore a pair of worn-out blue jeans and his boots had seen better days.

“Thomas, good to see you.” Samuel said as he shook Thomas’ hand. “Ready to get on with it?”

“No time like the present, Sam.” Thomas replied.

Thomas went over and greeted one of the older tribal men of the group.

“Sam, this is Chief Standing Bear, the leader of this tribe.” Thomas said as Samuel walked over to greet them.

“Thomas has told me a lot about you, chief.” Samuel said, shaking Standing Bear’s hand.

“Just as he has told me a lot about you, sir.” Standing Bear replied.

“Good good. Well I hope we can reach an agreement today.” Samuel remarked. “The sooner we get things moving along, the better.”

“Right, well…my people and I have talked things over and while your offer is generous, we just can’t give up our land. Our ancestors lived on this land and some are buried on this ground. While the land we own here is small, it means a great deal to us.” Standing Bear insisted.

Standing Bear spoke like a true leader of his people. He spoke calmly and with authority and made it very clear what his intentions were. Standing Bear reminded Runs with the Wind of Charging Bull, the chief of his own tribe. He cared greatly for his people and would do whatever he could to protect them.

“I was afraid you might say that.” Samuel replied, sounding disappointed and slightly irritated. “The money we have offered you is more than what this land is worth. It should be more than enough to help your tribe find new land and get back on your feet.”

“The money you have offered us matters little! Money cannot replace the memories, the stories, or the life this land holds. It’s not your land to take!” One of the other members charged back.

“That’s enough, Blue Feather.” Standing Bear replied to the young woman. “We must not let our tempers get the best of us.” Standing Bear then turned his attention back to Samuel. “I’m sorry sir, but you will have to purchase land elsewhere.”

Samuel was growing visibly frustrated. He knew the Indians would be insistent on keeping their land, but he wasn’t expecting them to refuse all their offers, no matter how much money he threw at them.

“I understand your concerns, I really do.” Samuel replied, trying to think of anything he can to get them to consider his offer.

“We have a young man with us that might be able to help you see our side of things.” He said as he motioned for Runs with the Wind to come forward. “This young man is a great ally to us. He understands what you are goin’ through. His people struck a deal with us a long time ago and now he works for us.”

Runs with the Wind fought to control his urge to laugh at Samuel’s remark. He had expected Samuel to tell some lies to make a sale, but he had never expected Samuel to use his own people as a pawn. To make it seem like his tribe had willingly given their land to the Wyatts was absurd and it made him sick. The longer he was in Samuel’s presence, the more he hated the man.

Samuel must have known what he was thinking, as he gave Runs with the Wind a cold, stern look.

“Now boy, don’t be shy.” Samuel said as he patted Runs with the Wind on the back. There was a forcefulness in the pat that warned Runs with the Wind he was on thin ice. “Why don’t you tell these fine people why they should sell us their land.”

Runs with the Wind walked up to Standing Bear and shook his hand. He was nervous. He was afraid that Samuel would turn on him and kill them all right there where they stood. He was afraid that he might accidentally say something Samuel didn’t like and be killed for that too. He knew he had to talk to the tribal members in private, where Samuel couldn’t hear.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Chief.” Runs with the Wind said as he nervously shook hands with the other members of the tribe.

“So…you work for the Wyatts?” Standing Bear asked, understandably confused by the concept.

Runs with the Wind briefly turned back to look at Samuel, who looked him dead in the eye with a cold expression. He turned back to Standing Bear and mustered up a reply.

“Yes, Chief.”

“Interesting, indeed.” Standing Bear replied, a questioning air about his voice. “Well then, do you agree that we should sell you our land?”

Runs with the Wind hesitated for a moment, trying to carefully compose his words. He wanted to appease the Wyatts without disappointing the chief. After a few moments, he turned back to Samuel.

“If I may, could I speak with the tribal members in private?”

He knew it was a bold question to ask, but he wanted to be able to talk to Standing Bear and tell him the real reason he should sell the Wyatts his land.

Samuel stood up straight, clearly taken back by the bold request. He seemed to ponder the question for a few moments which made Runs with the Wind nervous, but he wasn’t expecting his reply.

“I’ll allow it.” Samuel replied, much to everyone’s surprise. “But you stay within our sights, and no funny business you hear?”

“Yes, sir.” Runs with the Wind replied as he led the tribe a little ways away to keep out of earshot. He couldn’t believe Samuel had been so trusting. He hoped his plan would work.

As Runs with the Wind lead Standing Bear and the rest of the tribe away, the men that were with the Wyatts began to grab for their guns, assuming Runs with the Wind was trying to make an escape.

“Hold on, now.” Samuel replied, motioning the men to halt. “He can’t really be that stupid as to lead these people to their deaths. I want to see how this plays out.”

Once Runs with the Wind was far enough away from Samuel, he turned to Standing Bear.

“Listen to me, you need to give the Wyatts your land. I know its an absurd request and I don’t agree with it myself, but you have no other choice.” Runs with the Wind pleaded with them, the desperation clearly visible in his voice.

“Now son, you’re asking us to leave everything we’ve ever known behind and let the Wyatts turn this land into an oil field. You of all people should know what a ridiculous-“

“They took my people’s land too.” Runs with the Wind interrupted. “They took our land right out from under us and sold it to Leviticus Cornwall, just like they’ll do to your land.”

“Then why are you-“ Standing Bear tried to cut in again but Runs with the Wind was insistent on making his point.

“They killed my brother. They’re ruthless, evil men who have no problem with murdering innocent people. I don’t work for them - they captured me and are holding me hostage to use me as a pawn. If this deal doesn’t work out for them, they’ll kill me. Just like they killed my brother. And they’ll probably kill you too if you don’t surrender your land. Please. I beg you to consider their offer.”

Tears were starting to form in Runs with the Wind’s eyes as he pleaded with them to take the offer. He needed them to see how important this deal was, even if it meant reopening old wounds.

“Don’t put your people through unnecessary turmoil. Take their offer and move far away from here, away from the Wyatts. My people left these lands and headed north; you could do the same.”

Standing Bear pondered for a moment, visibly moved by the testimony Runs with the Wind had given him. These lands were sacred to him and he hated to see them defiled by white men and their lust for money, but he knew he had no other choice.

“It appears that you are right, my son. I fear we have no other choice. Though we are strong, my people are few. We cannot fight for our land like we once could. It seems as though it is time for us to move on.”

Runs with the Wind wiped the tears from his eyes and reached out to shake Standing Bear’s hand.

“Thank you, Chief. And I’m sorry.”

“I am sorry too, son. But this world is changing, and our time is drawing short.”

Runs with the Wind led the group back to Samuel, where Standing Bear reached out to shake Samuel’s hand.

“It appears as though we have no other choice. We will accept your offer.”

“Wonderful news!” Samuel replied enthusiastically. He was surprised his plan had worked so well.

“Thomas has the papers and your money right over here for you.” He said as he gestured over to one of Thomas’ wagons. “We’re very happy we could come to an agreement.”

Once the papers were signed and everything was squared away, the men loaded back into the wagons. Runs with the Wind was led back into Samuel’s wagon, much to his surprise. He had expected them to let him go once the deal was done.

“You did well today, boy.” Samuel said to him, patting him on the shoulder. “You’re gonna make me a lot of money.”

“What do you mean ‘going to’? I did what you asked, now let me go.” Runs with the Wind demanded.

Samuel and the other men began to laugh.

“Did you really think we would just let you go once we were finished, boy? Do you think we’re stupid enough to just let you walk free and give you another chance to try to kill me again?”

Runs with the Wind was confused and angered. He had been taken for a fool.

“I thought you only needed me to help you with this deal, what more do you need me for?” Runs with the Wind asked.

“My boy, there are many other Indians out there just like these folks who are sitting’ on gold mines. There’s land all over this country to be bought and sold for profit; this is only the beginning!” Samuel smirked as he leaned closer to Runs with the Wind. “I don’t intend on stopping until every last Indian is off this land.”

Runs with the Wind felt his anger from the other night resurfacing. Without thinking, he lunged at Samuel and struck him, knocking Samuel to the ground. One of Samuel’s men picked up Runs with the Wind and threw him against the side of the wagon and held his gun to Runs with the Wind’s head.

“Don’t shoot him, we need him!” Samuel said as he picked himself up and brushed the dirt off his coat. He caught his breath and moved closer to Runs with the Wind until he was in his face. “Don’t you ever lay a hand on me again, boy!” He said raising his voice. “I won’t kill you, but you can be damn sure I’ll make your life miserable while you’re in my custody.”

“What makes you think I would ever continue to work for you?” Runs with the Wind replied through gritted teeth. Being thrown against the wagon had knocked the wind out of him, and that paired with his growing anxiety were making it hard to breathe.

“Funny you should ask. You see, I had a backup plan in mind in case things went sour. I’ve got a cousin who owns some ranches up north on the other side of the Grizzlies. When your tribe fled north last year, they passed through my cousin’s land and settled not far from him.”

A lump began to form in Runs with the Wind’s throat. After he was captured, he had figured that Samuel had been keeping tabs on him, but he hadn’t expected Samuel to be following the rest of his tribe.

“You do anythin’ to defy me and I’ll send word to him. Now he’s a bit of a wild man, not as civilized as us folk down here. At my command, he’ll slaughter your entire family and not think twice about it.”

Runs with the Wind couldn’t tell if Samuel was telling the truth or if he was just spinning lies to get Runs with the Wind to comply, but he didn’t want to take the chance. His people had found somewhere safe to settle and he didn’t want to be the one to ruin that.

“Alright, alright.” Runs with the Wind desperately replied. “I’ll do what you ask, just don’t hurt my family.” His breaths were drawing shorter and heavier and the sound of desperation was heavy in his voice.

“Good boy.” Samuel said, knowing he had won.

“Now, Clyde.” He said, speaking to the man who had accompanied Runs with the Wind in the back of the wagon. “Why don’t you men take this wagon and head over to Emerald Ranch. Thomas and I have got some business to attend to with Leviticus Cornwall. Once we’re finished, we’ll meet you there.”

“Yes, sir.” Clyde replied as he shoved Runs with the Wind into the wagon.

“And make sure that one is good and tied up. Can’t have our greatest asset escapin’ on us.”

“Don’t worry, sir. He won’t get away from us.” Clyde replied, grabbing a length of rope.

“Good. Now, get used to this boy, you’ll become very familiar with the back of that wagon.”

Samuel laughed as he climbed into Thomas’ wagon and they rode off toward Cornwall Kerosene and Tar.

Runs with the Wind was so angry he felt like his blood was boiling. The past three days had been hell, and from the sound of it this was only the beginning. He had worked so hard and come so close only to live out the rest of his days as a slave to the Wyatt family. He needed to find a way out somehow. He wanted now more than ever for every member of the Wyatt family and everyone associated with them to pay for the crimes they committed. He wanted every last one of them to suffer the way he and his people had. He knew he would do whatever it took to taste freedom once again. He just needed to be patient.