Golden Fox sat cross-legged in front of her lodge, on the prickly grass of late warm season. She tipped her head back, closed her eyes, and let Father Sun bathe her face. Her second child, a daughter with grey eyes and hair black as a raven’s wing, lay asleep in her lap. Her four-winters-old son screamed, and her eyes popped open. She spotted him leading several other children as they darted around lodges and ran through the middle of camp.

Dances In Storms’ daughter, at six winters old, sat in front of a small group of children, telling the stories her mother and second mother had told her.

The strong scent of pine needles and old leaves traveled on Sister Wind’s light breeze. Not too far from where Golden Fox sat, Sun Snow wrestled with White Elk.

“Even though this is not the Land of Tall Trees, this is a magic place my mother’s dreams led us to. I only wish Deer Woman and she would have built their lodge here, as well.”

Dances In Storms nodded. “They feel they have much healing work to do among the bands that live close to the whites. Perhaps, someday, they will return to meet their grandchildren and decide to stay.” She stared at her daughter with much love in her eyes.

Golden Fox chuckled. “Blue Spirit Dog is a healer, too. Without her, I am not sure how I would have healed after my father traveled to the campfires in the sky. It seemed that I had him for such a small time.”

“She is truly a healer, like your two mothers, Sky Bird and Deer Woman. I am certain this is why your dog chose to go with them. She is very good with children who have been hurt inside—where we cannot see their wounds.”

Golden Fox watched the children play. “Sister Wolf Band has become a very colorful band. The color of skin matters not, only the Spirit within.” She smiled toward the children—some with skin so black that it shone in Father Sun’s light, playing with others whose brown skin glowed with warmth. They all played with children of pale skin, though none as pale as White Elk’s. They possessed grey eyes, or green eyes, or dark, dark brown eyes, but the children saw no differences between themselves.

Wolf pups tumbled around with dog pups, and they all chased after the children.

Dances In Storms pointed with her chin. “Man Of Night will join with Woman Who Does Not Speak before Sister Moon hides her face again.”

“Woman Who Does Not Speak has helped our mustangs when their babies try to come out backward. Ever since White Elk chose her to care for his mustang that day long ago, her gifts with the animals have grown. We are blessed to have Girl Who Does Not Speak become Woman Who Does Not Speak.”

“She is a true healer of the four-legged.” Dances In Storms chuckled. “And the winged ones. The hawk she healed circles above her even now. I have never seen a hawk who loved a human so much.”

Dances In Storms reached over and hugged Golden Fox. Her eyes filled with tears. “Who would know that the Great Mystery would give me not only a child and a man of my own, but also a sister-friend to walk with me on our Mother?”

“We are both blessed. Not only do we have each other, but not one child in our band has tasted the poisoned water. The minds of their parents and grandparents are healed. The only way we know that our people suffered so much from it, is in the stories we tell around the fire circle during the cold season.”

“Between you and me, Golden Fox, we will teach these stories to the young so they will pass them to their children. Perhaps, in this way, if some of our peoples should find themselves on that broken path, they will know how to find their way back home.”

“Ha!” Golden Fox dispelled the sadness that lingered whenever she remembered how the poisoned water had broken the Sun People’s Band, and blackened the Spirit of Yellow Moon.

When Sky Bird had led them here, she said Yellow Moon showed her the trail. Maybe Yellow Moon’s Spirit had finally found a way to sit at the campfires in the sky. Perhaps, Grandmother had finally welcomed her.

“Look at Grandfather and Many Walks. See how they laugh and stare at one another, as if they love for the first time.” She shot a sideways look at Dances In Storms. “Do you think we will ever find the Land of Tall Trees? I love these mountains. They are full of beauty, even if they are not blue and purple! How could I have not known that distance changes the colors we see?”

Dances In Storms shook her head with a smile. “We do not often think about how things change with the passing of moons and the distance we walk.”

Golden Fox stretched her neck, and then rose. “Ho! A stranger comes.”

Dances In Storms stood beside her sister-friend.

The Elder stopped a short ways from them, his face split in a big smile. “You are Golden Fox.” He turned toward Dances In Storms. “And you are the Holy Woman, Dances In Storms, a relative of Shining Light.”

“This is true, Elder.” Dances In Storms greeted him politely. “And what do we call you?”

Her question appeared to delight him, and his smile grew even wider. “I am One Who Wanders, and I have come to lead your people away.”

Golden Fox and Dances In Storms exchanged bewildered glances, and returned their gazes to One Who Wanders.

He glanced behind him as if he expected someone to appear. “Sky Bird and Deer Woman should be here within two sunrises. That will give me time to tell you the story of your new home—the Land of Tall Trees.”

—-THE END—-

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