Sun Rising and his woman walked up leading their packed mustangs. Here and there around the camp, empty spaces showed where lodges had been pulled down and packed. People waited.

Among the gathered people, many held tight to leather flasks, or weaved as they stood in front of lodges still standing. Some staggered with stomachs full of poisoned water, though Father Sun had been awake for only a short span. A brother and a sister argued over a leather flask. All of a sudden, the brother pulled his fist back and hit his sister, knocking her to the ground.

Eagle Thunder called out, “Our people—the once-great Sun People—are sick. Where is our Holy Man? Why does he not come and stand with me? Why does he hide while his people tear themselves apart?”

The gathered people parted as the Holy Man wove his way to Eagle Thunder with a leather flask dangling from his hand. “Do not tell me what to do for the Sun People!” Red splotched his cheeks, and red veins ran through his eyes. “You are not the Holy Man. Fire water opens our inside eyes to the Spirit Land. There is no wrong in this firewater. The wrong lies within your heart. You fear these visions. Go! You are no longer welcome here. You are not of the Sun People!” He spat on the ground at Eagle Thunder’s feet, then turned and stalked away.

***

Some of the hunters came in the early sunrise, and helped their families gather their belongings. Dogs would pull the smaller drags, mustangs the larger ones. Warriors would ride the strongest mustangs, constantly searching the land ahead and behind for enemies. A few elders, whose legs could not journey so far, would ride mustangs, and sometimes, small children would sit in front of them.

Sky Bird tied the last bundle of robes on their drag. “Where is Golden Fox?”

Eagle Thunder nodded toward Running Girl and her little brother. “She begs her friend to come. Running Girl’s grandfather is mean when he drinks. When I am no longer here, he will drink much poisoned water and will not hold his temper tight. My heart hurts for those who stay behind, and it hurts even more for the children.”

***

Running Girl cried hard tears and held onto Golden Fox. “I will come when my brother, Strong Knife, returns from hunting. Someone has to stay with my little brother, and Father will not let me take him. I fear, too, for Grandmother. She drinks so much, it comes back up in her mouth. She might choke if I am not here. My parents drink as much poisoned water as Grandmother, and cannot help her. I must stay, Golden Fox, until my brother comes.”

“I worry for you, Running Girl.” Golden Fox swallowed the painful lump in her throat. “What if your father refuses to let you leave even after Strong Knife returns?”

“Father has much fear of Strong Knife’s anger. He will let my elder brother leave with my little brother and me.”

Golden Fox grasped her friend’s hands. “Please, come. You cannot stay! We have been friends since we shared a cradleboard. Please, please, come with your little brother. Grandfather can talk to your father and make him say yes.”

“Father will not agree. Eagle Thunder makes him angry. He says your grandfather thinks he is too good to share firewater at our campfire.”

“I feel as if my heart will shatter like a cold spear of ice in the winter!” Golden Fox sniffed back tears. “Your father becomes crazy when the poisoned water is in him. I fear that the next time he beats you, if Grandfather is not here to stop him, he may not stop beating you until it is too late.” She reached over with her fingers and gently wiped her friend’s tears. “If you stay, I fear I may never see you again.”

Running Girl wrung her hands together. “When the hunters return, I must help Mother make meat, or she will have none for the cold season. While we work, Strong Knife will speak with our father. Maybe Mother will come with us. Do not worry, Golden Fox. The Spirit of Grandfather will watch over me until I see you again.”

Mouth turned down, Golden Fox lifted her chin in stubborn defiance. “I will stay with you, Running Girl, until Strong Knife can talk to your father.”

Sadness filled Running Girl’s eyes. “Your presence will only anger Father, and he may harm you. You go. Now!” She scooped up her little brother and settled him on her hip, and his chubby legs partly wrapped around her thin waist. With her back straight and her head held high, she marched toward her family’s lodge.

Tears ran down Golden Fox’s cheeks as she helplessly watched her friend walk away.