Eagle Thunder hung his head as he shuffled through the grasses. His braid dangled down his back in scattered strands, and a few white ones that had escaped wisped about his face.

Many from the broken band followed behind him. Now and then, a sob escaped one of the children, but was quickly stifled. As Father Sun rose higher, others from the shattered band joined those who traveled.

How is it I now lead so many people? Another curve, another stumble in the broken path of all our lives. Perhaps there is something beyond the broken, jagged edges that I cannot see. Life gives us many chances to look beyond what our human eyes can see. We must open our minds and our hearts to what the Great Mystery wishes to show us.

Eagle called.

Eagle Thunder raised his head to watch Eagle soar and circle above the people who followed. Guide us, my Brother. Warn us of dangers that hide. Father Sun takes away his light. Everyone walks the heavy walk of sorrow, except the children. Perhaps, it is better to be young and not know things.

Sky Bird caught up to him. Her red eyes and downturned mouth spoke much, but she would never complain. Medicine plants she had picked the last three sunrises filled the pouch she carried strapped over her shoulder. She kept tossing the plants in the pouch to keep them from going bad, and laid them out whenever they stopped. The yellow-orange sun painted on the pouch had only suffered minor burns from the lodge fire.

An animal path followed the shallow river. Children waded in the cold waters as their elders spread out along the narrow path. Though several of the young people were Golden Fox’s age, she refused their calls to join them.

His granddaughter’s aloneness did not escape Eagle Thunder’s watchful eyes. “Good thing our women carry their own bows,” he said to Sky Bird. “Golden Fox wanders out of sight much. She must worry for Running Girl.”

He bent and picked up a good piece of thick flint. He could knap such flint and make them into arrowheads. He would make another bow for Golden Fox, as the fire had eaten hers, and now she carried an old one. This was a good time for Golden Fox and some of the other young ones to learn to make their own arrowheads.

Sky Bird interrupted his thoughts. “Father, we all tire. The water will cool our feet. Allow us to rest. Come sit beside me, and I will rebraid your hair and mine. The sick must rest, and we must all eat and sleep. A good time to stop, you think? I do.”

Surrendering to her wisdom, he nodded, raised his hand, and called for the others to stop. With motions of his hands, he signaled that they would make camp in the meadow that spread beside the river.

Eagle Thunder and Sky Bird set their footwear back from the edge of the water. Eagle Thunder let his tired, sore feet hang in the slow moving river while his daughter fixed his star-dusted hair.

With his hair done, she re-braided her own hair. After a short while, she glanced over to where Golden Fox stood some distance away. A worried frown tightened the skin around her eyes as she pushed to her feet. “Father, I will go help Golden Fox gather wood before the darkness takes the light. I must hurry. She has only picked up three pieces, and now stares without seeing.”

Eagle Thunder’s granddaughter stood in stillness, not natural for one so young. “Daughter, I have concern, too. I had hoped her mind and heart would heal as we walked.”

“After what she saw in camp, her mind wanders. I will walk with her after we make camp and eat. We can speak and share this experience together. I, too, have spent much of the last three sunrises thinking about what happened, living through it again.”

He rubbed his chin. “I cannot help but worry she may try to turn back and get Running Girl.”

***

Golden Fox hurried to clean up after eating, and carried her robe away from the fire to prepare her bed.

Sky Bird stopped her. “Daughter, I need to walk to take care of my needs. Please, come with me.”

She stood with her robe in hand. “Mother, there is little to fear with the warriors so close. Some may have star dust in their hair, but they have the power of many cycles of seasons.” She dropped the robe to the ground. “You wish to speak of something.”

Sky Bird extended her hand. “Please? Besides, it is always safer for two to wander than for one to do so in a strange land.”

“We have been out on the grasses for three sunrises, and now you have fear?”

“Even more so, my little one. We walk in lands unknown to most of us, except the hunters.” She heaved a deep breath and let it rush out. “It is time, Golden Fox, to speak of what we....”

“Mother, I do not wish to speak of what happened. It is best left deep in my mind.” She started to turn away when her mother hooked her arm.

“You have avoided your grandfather and me since we have been out here. Why not sit close to us when we rest, instead of moving away? Even in sleep, you lay your robe away from others. I have seen how you stare out at nothing for long spans. You do not see where we walk, but walk as if asleep. If you will not speak to me, speak to Flying Turtle. He is two-spirit and can see both as a woman and as a man.”

Her mother brushed a stray strand of hair from Golden Fox’s cheek. “There is no shame in seeking Flying Turtle’s counsel, for even your grandfather and I have sought his counsel in time of need and sorrow. He is wise in ways that others, who are not two-spirit, cannot be.”

Golden Fox kept her eyes on the grass at her feet. “I have much anger, and wish to go back to camp and bring Running Girl to be with us.”

Her mother gripped her arm. “You will not do such a thing! Do you wish to die before you see fifteen winters?”

“She is the sister of my heart. Without her, I no longer care.”