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Keme and his three friends prepared to leave the camp, gathering their supplies, bows and arrows. Enola paced about, nervously fussing with everything. He hated leaving her and the others behind. The stress of the decision to get the muskets felt like a rock around his neck. He tried to stop worrying if it might be making a mistake and ducked into his shelter. The musket lay on the ground under a piece of cloth. If anything happened, the sound of it might scare someone off.
He took the gun, came out of the shelter and over to Enola. “While I'm gone, you’ll be in charge. Make sure scouts are posted and be on the alert.” He handed her the musket. “Be careful, it’s loaded.”
She took the musket and her arm lowered from the weight. “But don’t you need it?”
“No, I’ll soon have more muskets.” He held back that it made him feel better for her to have it.
Enola eyed the weapon hesitantly, yet she looked brave enough to fire it. An odd desire to kiss her cheek welled up. He wasn’t sure if it was only in a friendly way or something more, but it wasn’t right. Leotie was out there. If only she hadn’t run off.
He checked over his gear. “One thing that I don’t understand is that if Leotie can change forms, why didn’t she?”
“Maybe she had no need to change, and it was faster to run as a wolf,” Enola suggested.
“Perhaps, but I also wonder why would a skin walker bring one of us back to life?”
Enola looked up in thought. “A simple reason would be to make more of their kind.”
“I suppose.” He grabbed his canteen and turned around.
“If only you didn’t have to do this.” Enola took off a beaded necklace and put it over his head. “This is for luck.”
“Thank you.” Keme thought through the plan. He would get the muskets and cut off Chapa before he had a chance to even reach the new camp. All he needed was one lucky shot to take him down and the others would give up. “When I get the muskets, we can defend ourselves from not only Chapa, but also the soldiers. With the muskets we have a better chance of reuniting the tribe. Don’t worry. If I get there and it’s too risky, I’ll turn back.”
Enola's eyes narrowed. “You better.”
Sakoya, Hinto and Lusio waited with their bows and packs. Keme turned and started to leave with them. That same lump of guilt in his stomach tightened. If only I was smart enough to find a way to help Leotie. If only I could tell her how much I love her and that nothing happened with Enola.
Dena and a group of others came running out to him. They stopped and turned around.
Tears welled up in Dena’s eyes. “You have no respect for my family, and now you leave us to get a few muskets despite having a bad sign. This is foolishness.”
Everyone looked at him with disappointment and accusing eyes. Anxiety welled up and felt about to spill over. He had to keep calm and make good decisions – these people were looking to him for answers. Keme felt a new appreciation for Takoda and Paytah, who had often had to make difficult decisions. They’d been strong over the years to a point Keme never thought he’d achieve. It felt as if a horse was sitting on his chest.
“Maybe you think I'm not good enough to be your chief.” He looked at the woods, and that feeling of wanting to run away welled up.
“Keme, don’t listen to them. They’re being ridiculous,” Sakoya said. “We came all this way and we’re so close. You need to be our chief and get us those weapons.”
He had to admit Sakoya was a voice of reason.
“Look who’s all brave,” Dena said, frowning at Sakoya. “You almost got killed once for being too bold. Next time you might not be so lucky.”
Sakoya made a face and waved his hands at her.
“No more arguing. Everyone to work,” Keme said. He joined the other young men and headed off, taking one last look at Enola, who watched them until they were out of view.
