Chapter 12: The Ballad Of Iris And Matto

Matto focused all of his attention on Iris's face as he silently sprinted towards them. His eyebrows lifted as he saw her smile. A faint wisp of a smile. A smile that told him that she knew he was here. She knew he was coming for her. She knew that she was not alone any longer. Matto helplessly watched from a distance as a man he had never seen before lifted Iris off of her feet and tossed her aside, as though she was less than nothing, into a patch of rough rocky terrain. He took a deep inhale of air as he heard Iris's body crack against the jagged stones and let out a war cry, the sound of which he was certain has never been uttered before. Matto hurled his body through the thick summer air. Balling both empty fists as he steeled himself for what was to come.

Matto threw himself empty handed into Linus and another young man, hitting them both in the back of their heads and sending them lurching forward. Matto wasted no time in facing the man who had thrown Iris to her possible demise. He lunged forward and grabbed ahold of the man's neck with his left hand. Using his strength for all it was worth, he squeezed tightly to the man's throat, just as was done to Iris. Each finger pressing hard into the man's soft flesh.

The man's demeanor quickly switched from that of confidence too that of panic as he reached up with his knife and stabbed Matto in his left arm, his stronger arm. Matto grunted in pain but continued his hold on the man's throat, bringing his right arm up to add more pressure. The man flipped the knife in his hand and readily stabbed Matto in the left side of abdomen. The searing pain causing Matto to release his throat and stumble backwards a few steps. The man bent forward desperate to catch his own breath and began rubbing gently against the skin of his neck. He smirked at Matto knowing he had injured him and put his hand up to the fourth man stopping him in his tracks, indicating that Matto was his to finish off. The man began to openly laugh at Matto, until he watched in wonder as Matto pulled the blade from his own body and in a motion so swift and elegant, slashed him across the throat. Matto watched as the man fell to his knees before him, making the briefest of eye contact before he tumbled backwards dead into the dirt.

Matto could hear the crunching of leaves to his right and quickly turned as the fourth man made to rush him but who was swiftly thwarted by Keme. His little brother came flying through the air towards them, a ferocious war cry roaring from his lips. Keme crashed into both the fourth man and Matto knocking them both to the earth below. Matto winced as his body hit against the rocks, right at the feet of where Iris laid unmoving. He gripped tightly to his side, as blood began flowing freely from his wound. He turned his attention towards Keme and watched as his little brother rolled wildly around the cool earth, battling fiercely with the unknown youth. Matto tried to move, tried to do anything to help his brother but found himself to be completely incapable as the searing pain began radiating through his abdomen and into his chest. He lifted his head once more in a futile attempt to move his body into action, finding quickly the effort to be too overwhelming for him. Matto could see that the man he hit early on was beginning to recover himself and so flipped the knife around in his palm. Thinking he would throw the knife, in an attempt to keep this man away from Keme. As the man began to rise to his feet, Matto hurled the blade, striking him in the shoulder. It was a bad throw, but with his hands covered in blood, it was the best he could have hoped for. The man pulled the knife out of his shoulder and began charging towards Matto. Matto pushed his body further into the rocks bracing himself for an impact that never came. Robin had flown through the bushes, a wild cry sounding from his lungs. He jumped on top of the the man from behind and ended his life with a quick stab to the neck. The two men falling forward into the dirt. Matto then watched with relief as Robin leapt from his position on top of the now dead man and onto the back of the unknown youth that was assaulting Keme.

Matto rolled his head across the rocky surface and back towards Iris. He shifted his weight, still gripping tightly to his now gushing wound and reached out to touch Iris's exposed leg. He trailed his fingers gently across her soft skin as he tried desperately to move closer towards her. Matto dragged his hand upwards towards her thigh, leaving a trail of bloody fingerprints as he went. He was desperate to see her face, to be certain that she was merely unconscious and not worse. Matto had almost reached her well concealed face when he felt a scorching pain radiate through his back, causing him fall forward into the dirt. His fingers just shy of being able to brush aside Iris's hair and gaze upon her face.

He tried to recover himself from the burn in his back but was swiftly plunged forward again has the blade of the knife entered his back once more, forcing Matto's weak body face down in the dirt next to Iris. Matto could feel the warm coating of his own blood begin to flow from yet another open wound and as the pain of defeat crept into his heart he tried reaching once more for Iris.

Linus raised the blood covered knife high into the air. The first two stab wounds were meant for the Indian to suffer, were meant for him to know that he had been bested. The final blow was too definitively end his life. Linus stood over top of Matto, shifting his eyes between the fallen lovers. He tilted his head as he watched the Indian stretch his blood covered arm out towards the once beautiful Iris. His long fingers almost touching her upper arm. In a fit of rage over this last act of undying love, Linus kicked the Indian's arm away from Iris and leaned down grabbing Matto by the hair.

A soft moan of pain escaped Matto's lips. He knew he was seriously wounded. He could feel the warmth from his blood smearing itself across his abdomen and back. With the departure of his earlier adrenaline, Matto found himself feeling weak and tired. Sensations he was completely unfamiliar with, as he had always felt strong both inside and out. Always felt invincible, until this very moment. Matto could feel his head being pulled upward towards the sky. Yet, his eyes were doing their best to stay focused on Iris, as he looked upon her still unmoving body. Her face was completely obscured by her dark golden locks, locks that were now satined with the same crimson red that he so often admired in her cheeks after they made love. His heart ached to see her sweet face once more and Matto found himself faintly struggling against Linus's tight grasp on his hair, so that he might touch her one last time.

Linus laughed wickedly at the Indian's attempt to reach Iris, kneeing Matto hard in his lower back and once again watching as the Indian fell face first into the dirt. The kick accidentally pushing Matto closer to Iris and as he feel forward his palm landed directly atop her clothed thigh leaving a small blood covered hand print on Iris's pale yellow dress.

Linus's hatred was coursing through his veins with such force that he spat on Matto's back as he laid helpless in the pool of blood that his own body had created beneath him. Linus crouched down over top of Matto and said, "She is no longer your beautiful girl. As she is surely dead." Matto found himself too weak to struggle and so gripped tightly to Iris's dress in his palm, wishing at that moment that if she was no longer of this world so would he be. Just as Linus was about to run the knife through the flesh of Matto's neck, he was stuck with the smooth end of a heavy metal object and instantly knocked off his footing. His body falling sideways and landing partially atop Iris and Matto.

After smacking Linus in the head, Elijah quickly turned his attention to Keme and Robin and upon seeing that both boys were well in tact, rushed swiftly over to his father who was peeling Linus off of Iris and Matto. Elijah grabbed ahold of Linus's upper body and easily tossed him to the side, letting his limp form fall with a thud against the ground. Martin had turned a, still somewhat conscious, Matto over and began shouting for Robin and Keme to come over to him and apply pressure to Matto's multiple stab wounds. Both boys leapt to their feet and quickly rushed towards Matto.

"Their is so much blood uncle." Robin stated as he pressed down hard on Matto's abdomen.

Keme quickly ripped his shirt from his body and began wrapping it around his brothers stomach to help slow the bleeding and revealing that he too had several superficial knife wounds to shoulder and chest. He looked up at Martin who was now cradling the seemingly lifeless body of Iris tightly within his arms.

"Oh my sweet girl. What have they done to you?" Martin said as he carefully brushed the red satined hair away from Iris's face, only to see that across the side of her forehead was a huge gash where the skin had been burst open and was now dangling from her head.

"Papa, is she…" Elijah began in a terrified tone but was unable to finish his question as he felt a soft grip on his ankle. He looked down to see Matto desperately trying to lift his head up to look at Iris. He knelt down and grabbed ahold of Matto's arm. "No, don't move Matto. Your wound will tear further."

"Mënëkòn?" Was all Matto was able to verbalize before his breath caught in his throat from the searing pain that was pulsing throughout his entire body. He let his head fall back against the soft earth, turning it in her direction, as tears flowed freely from his eyes at the sight of his beloved.

Martin turned his head to face Matto and said, "She lives son. But we have to move you both right now." And he quickly hoisted Iris further up into his arms.

Elijah saw Matto's discarded shirt on the ground a hastily picked it up and rushed over to Iris, gently wrapping the shirt around her still bleeding head. Making the briefest of eye contact with his father, before he backed up to where Linus had begun to softly moan from atop the ground.

Martin turned to face Robin and Keme "You will both have to help support Matto. Quickly now boys. We must get them back to Pru and Cora as fast as possible." Both boys began carefully lifting Matto up from the ground. "Run as fast as your feet will take you." And with that the boys sprinted off towards the farm, Matto's limp body dangling helplessly between them.

Martin was about to follow the boys when he paused abruptly to look at Elijah. "Stay with him. Your brother will be here soon." Elijah nodded in response to his father's words, silently praying to God and The Great Spirit that he would find the strength to not kill the filth that had begun to wake at his feet. Elijah took one last look towards his father and little sister, just before they disappeared completely into the dense forest.

"No!" Uncas yelled as the distinct sound of his son's voice echoed through the dense trees of the forest. He pushed himself to move faster, as a quake of fear trickled down his spine. His old legs trailing just behind Ash as both men quickened their pursuit. Having no doubt in their minds that they must reach Matto quickly, for only the Great Spirit knew what his precious son was about to face.

Uncas and Ash pushed on harder and faster than they have ever before. Their bodies sprinting agilely over the forests rough terrain. Both of their minds were spinning at what was happening and what they might find when they reached their beloved family. When suddenly from a distance, Uncas and Ash could hear a similar war cry sound through the trees. Different voices igniting the forest with the same fierce sound. The sound of family, their family and instantly Uncas and Ash wailed at the top of their lungs. All of their breath leaving them and with it sending the promise of hope to those in need and vengeance to those deserving of it.

When finally Uncas and Ash could see the back of a tall man come into their sights. Both men began preparing themselves to strike, until they saw the man's profile and instantly lowered their weapons, as Elijah's face came into view.

Uncas immediately scanned the scene before him. Taking note quickly that Matto and Iris were both missing from the area. "Where is my son and daughter?"

Elijah's brows furrowed and he said, "Matto has suffered multiple stab wounds to his stomach, arm and back. He is still conscious though and Keme and Robin are carrying him back the the farm."

"And Iris?" Ash quickly asked.

"She was thrown head first against the rocks." Elijah briefly downcast his eyes before continuing, "Her head was split open just past her right eye and she was completely unconscious when we found her. Papa is carrying her back."

Upon hearing the fate of his children, Uncas stared in a daze at the bodies that laid sprawled out around them. He saw one lying flat on his back, a long deep gash running across his neck. Another to his left had a stab wound in his neck just under his right ear. The third and youngest looking man was slashed several times across his chest and the back of his legs, but Uncas could see that the final blow had come from a tomahawk to the back of his head. His weary eyes finally falling on the fourth and final man. He could see that he was still moving slightly, his belly flat against the earth and the soft moan of pain slipping past his lips. Uncas walked over to him and pushed him onto his back with his foot, revealing it to be Linus.

Uncas and Ash could not believe their eyes as they stared down at him. Uncas could feel his rage beginning to bubble to the surface when Ash quickly grabbed ahold of him and guided him back several paces, putting a bit of distance between his uncle and his son and daughter's assailant.

"We will save him for Matto." Ash plainly said, addressing the moment head on.

Uncas tore his eyes away from the animal before him, meeting the intense gaze of his nephew and said, "I will go to them now. You two know what to do." It took all of his will power not to slit the foul creatures throat, gutting him as he had many animals before. But the health and safety of his children came before the vengeance in his heart. And without another word, Uncas raced through the forest towards the farm, raced towards his suffering children. The lingering image of Linus in his mind and how he will be made to pay for such a trespass against their family.

Linus had finally regained full consciousness and was leaning back against the same rock formation that their little sister had been tossed away into. Ash could see the large blood stain where her head had hit against the rocks and silently prayed that she was going to be alright. He let his head fall back and he briefly shut his eyes, pushing away the idea that he may never talk with her again or share another silent secret with her. Ash wordlessly cursed himself for ever bringing Linus to his family's farm. He cursed himself for giving him chance after chance to redeem himself and his wicked thoughts about Matto and his lustful thoughts about Iris. This was his fault, he could feel it in his very core. Ash could feel warm tears beginning to well up in his eyes and just as they were threatening to spill he heard Linus's hoarse voice firing back at his brother.

"What is it you plan to do with me?" Linus demanded from his cornered position against the rocks.

Elijah merely stared at him. Though his face appeared calm and impassive, his eyes were that of steel, frosted over with an edge the likes of which Linus had never seen in anyones eyes before. Not even the Indians' when his hands were around his neck threatening to end his own life and instantly thought of Iris's last words to him. They were saving him for last. They planned to make him suffer, not just for his actions but for the actions of every man that he had brought with him.

Linus looked up as Ash began to walk over towards them, his old friend dropping down into the same crouch like position as his bother and calmly began speaking, "Do you know what your fatal flaw was Linus?" Ash paused giving Linus a moment to think and answer accordingly. When Linus remained silent Ash tilted his head, smiled softly and continued with, "It was not that you looked down upon Matto but rather that you looked so highly upon the rest of us. AS WE ARE ALL MOHICAN!" Ash screamed into Linus's face, swiftly drawing his knife and stabbing Linus through his left knee cap.

Linus wailed in pain, watching as Ash released his grip on the knife only to have Elijah twist it further down into his flesh. He threw his head back against the rocks and began reaching desperately for his knee. Elijah swatted away his hand and leaned in closely, softly whispering into his ear. "You have not yet begun to understand pain." And with Elijah's ominous words ringing through his ears, Linus could feel all the blood flow from his face as his heart dropped into his belly and a primal fear began to overtake all of his senses.

Prudence and Martin had been in the cabin together when they had heard the blood curdling shriek echo from within the forest. A chill as cold as ice radiated down their spines, as they realized the voice belonged to Iris. Martin had leapt to his feet, flying out the door with a speed Pru had not seen in many years. She followed quickly behind him, to see that Elijah was already running into the forest. The old ax gripped tightly in his steadfast palm.

As Pru stood helpless in the glade she could see Cora and Alice racing towards her, desperate to understand what was happening. After a brief exchange of words, Alice wrapped her arms tightly around Pru. Knowing full well that her son was most likely with Iris and whatever would make her scream like that, surely meant that Matto was in dire straights as well. Both women stood clinging to the others body, desperate to comfort the other. Understanding Alice and Pru's paralyzing reaction, Cora instinctively ran to the cabin and swiftly began to gather medical supplies. She laid them out across the old wooden table, not knowing what she might need or how much. Cora closed her eyes to the thought, briefly tilting her head to the heavens. She said a silent prayer, in the hopes that her efforts would be in vein and that the supplies would not be needed at all. Though, all of her instincts told her otherwise. After taking a quick moment to get her own bearings as to what was about to come, Cora raced outside to rejoin Alice and Pru. The two women having broken apart, with only their hands still tightly clutched as they stared into the forest for any sign of their loved ones.

Minutes seemed like hours as the three women stood helplessly in the glade. Each of their eyes scanning the tree line again waiting, waiting for what they did not know. When Alice turned to her left at the sound of the creaky wagon coming to a halt just in front of her cabin.

Alice and Cora began rushing over to Nathaniel as he and Rebekah exited the wagon. Leaving Pru behind alone to keep a watchful eye on the forest.

"What's happening?" Nathaniel asked, waisting no time on pleasantries.

"We heard Iris scream from within the forest." Cora answered matter of factly.

"Where is Uncas?" Alice asked upon realizing that he was absent from the wagon.

"We heard the scream as well. Ash jumped out and Uncas followed. We were too far off to know who it was, only that it was human." Nathaniel said as he instinctively searched for Prudence with his eyes.

Cora followed his gaze and said, "No one should suffer the way she has been made to suffer in her life."

Nathaniel turned back to face Cora, an indescribable pain tinting his eyes and said, "No, they should not."

Not understanding her parents odd exchange, Rebekah began scanning the area only to find that it was absent of most of their family. "Mama, where is the rest of the family?"

"Sampson wanted to visit some friends. Jack, along with the other's, chose to accompany him. They took the other wagon." Cora plainly stated as she took note of the ever growing panic in Alice's eyes. Shortly after Iris's horrific scream was heard echoing through the forest, a rapid fire response was given in the form of multiple war cries. The distant sound only fueling their family's growing unease. Cora moved closer to Alice and clasped her hand tightly in her own. She met her sisters soft blue eyes, and knowing that there was nothing that could be said decided to remain silent. Instead choosing the small and quiet gesture of rubbing Alice's palm with her thumb, much like she did when Alice was still but a wee girl and in desperate need of comfort.

Martin tore past the tree line and into the glade, almost colliding with Pru. Who after shaking off her initial shock of the sight of Martin carrying an unconscious Iris, rushed over and began examining her daughter the best she could from within Martin's protective arms. She took note of her blood soaked and tightly wrapped head. Knowing based off what she could see that this was the wound to worry about. Pru quickly scanned the rest of Iris's body to see a trail of bloody fingerprints running up her leg and a splotchy blood covered hand print cast around the middle of her dress. Pru's eyes widened and her breathing began to grow ragged. Martin starred into his wife's frightened eyes, suddenly fearing the same thought.

"You must get her inside the house Martin. Quickly now!" Came Cora's steady voice from behind them, breaking them away from their terrified thoughts. Martin stared into his wife's panicked filled eyes and reluctantly began running towards the cabin, with Cora following swiftly behind him.

Prudence stood paralyzed by her still churning thoughts as Keme and Robin broke the tree line, a still conscious Matto dangling between their arms.

"Aunt Pru! Help us!" Robin begged as all three boys fell forward into the grass. Pru, along with Alice and Nathaniel rushed over to them. All three dropping to their knees before them.

"No!" Alice screamed as she dropped to her knees before Matto, her tears staining both her dress and Matto's blood covered skin. She put her hands against the blood soaked shirt that was wrapped around his waist, desperate to help stop the bleeding. Alice could see that his skin had paled and his eyes were fluttering between open and closed, in a pained attempt to stay conscious. "My boy." Alice said as almost a whisper. She placed her forehead against his own and continued, "Mama is here." Just then Uncas burst through the same trees and without any words needing to be exchanged, quickly lifted Matto up into his arms and began running into the cabin. Alice following swiftly behind him.

Pru turned her head and watched in slow motion as they ran into the cabin. She knew she should get up, she knew she should be in there with them and providing much needed aid, though as her heart pumped harder within her chest she found she could not move. Her mind was spinning with horrible thoughts and so grabbed ahold of Robin's face and desperately asked, "Was she raped?" Robin stared wide eyed into his aunt's eyes not knowing how to answer. He dropped his mouth to speak but no words came out. Prudence searched his eyes, her fear ever growing and said once more, "There is blood on her dress Robin."

Robin stared up at her, having no idea why his aunt was acting almost crazed like a wild animal and said, "That was from her head."

Prudence squeezed his head in her hands and screamed, "Was she raped?"

Nathaniel, who along with Rebekah, was seeing to several superficial cut marks on Keme's chest and shoulder, quickly took ahold of Prudence, lifting her up onto her feet and pulled her tightly against him. He held her close to his chest and began rubbing her head. "Shhh." He whispered over and over again into her ear, until he could feel her breathing relax. "Your daughter and son are in the cabin and they need you now. All of you sister. Can you do that?" He asked in his calmest most soothing voice, knowing full well for a fleeting moment he held in his arms a frightened thirteen year old girl.

Pru pulled her head away from him, just far enough so Nathaniel could place his forehead against hers. His way of reassuring her that she was there with him and not in the forest, cold and alone in the dark.

Astonished at what he was understanding, Robin could feel several tears stream down from his eyes. He reached out and grabbed his aunt's wrist, gently rubbing his thumb against her palm and said, "I do not think so Aunt Pru. I think the blood on her leg and dress was from Matto."

Prudence's eyes fell shut and releasing Nathaniel, pulled Robin into her arms and said, "Oh sweet boy, I am so very sorry." Robin kissed her on the cheek and she released him, briefly glancing at Keme.

"Go. I will bring him in." Nathaniel said and Prudence turned quickly on her heel and began running towards the cabin.

Cora carefully unwrapped the shirt that had been hastily tied around Iris's head, exposing the full extent of the wound and gasping slightly at the sight of it. The skin was indeed hanging off the length of the wound, which was several inches long and though it was a jagged cut, Cora was certain it could be stitched well. It worried her more that Iris remained unconscious and with no immediate signs that she might regain consciousness soon. Cora began methodically pulling away strands of blood stained hair from Iris's wound. Gently placing each one over to the other side of her delicate face, until she heard the thunder of heavy footfalls as Prudence ran quickly into the room.

Cora turned as Pru made to enter Iris's bedroom and quickly hopped to her feet pushing Pru backwards, past the doorway and into the small hall. Cora's now blood tinted fingers gripping tightly to Pru's shoulders. "No mother should ever have to see her child this way. I have already removed Alice from Matto's bedside. I need you present and clear. Do you hear me Pru?" Cora rapidly spit out, knowing that time was of the essence. When Cora saw that Pru was lost in her own mind, staring past her at Iris's still form, she shook her shoulders and raised her voice saying, "Pru! I need you to snap out of it. Sampson is not here and Matto is in the next room losing more blood then his body can stand to lose. Snap out of it right now!" She hollered into Pru's face.

Hearing Cora's desperate words immediately shook Pru from her semi hysterical haze and back into the doctor she was trained to be. She grabbed tightly to Cora's arms and said, "Keep her safe." And without waiting for Cora to answer, swiftly entered the room where Matto laid motionless upon the bed.

She rushed to his bedside and began examining the depth of his wounds. The stab to his arm, though deep, was easily treatable. She moved Martin's hands from where he was applying pressure to Matto's abdomen and saw that the stab wound seemed to luckily have missed his vital organs. She sighed briefly, thankful that whoever did this was thoroughly untrained in where to inflict the most damage.

"I need you to roll him over." She said to Uncas, who quickly did as directed. Upon inspection of his back, Pru could see that once again the wounds, though deep, again seemed to miss his lungs. As they had been driven into his upper back closer to his shoulder, similar in their position as to where she herself had been shot, those many years ago.

"Is Nathaniel making the medicinal paste?" She asked curtly.

"Yes." Martin stated.

"We must work quickly." She said staring into Uncas and Martin's concerned eyes. "The placement of his wounds are survivable, it is his blood loss that concerns me. Uncas lay him flat and keep the clean cloth underneath his back with your hands, push upwards gently to apply a bit more pressure. As we need to clean his abdomen first and start there with that wound." Prudence said with absolute focus.

All that could be heard in the moments that followed was the pounding of foot steps crossing to and fro against the cabin's old wooden planks and the rushed voices of Prudence and Cora as the two women fought against time to save their precious Iris and Matto.

"I am frightened Matto." Iris said in a whispered tone.

"I am here with you." Matto said as he placed his hand atop her shoulder.

Iris smiled softly through her nervousness and took ahold of the hand he rested on top of her shoulder, lacing her fingers with his and squeezing them tightly with her own. "Are you sure we are going to be alright?" she asked.

"I am certain of it." He said making sure he smiled wide enough for her to see through the darkness. "Let us walk just a bit further."

They walked hand in hand through the thick blackness, until they came upon a thick fallen tree branch that was blocking their way. Matto gently released his hand from Iris' and bent down, gripping the heavy branch with both hands as he lifted it off the ground and tossed it far away from their path. Satisfied with himself, Matto turned back to Iris and reached for her hand once more. Though all he found was blackness and empty air. His panic grew and he began to spin in circles, trying to find her again. He reached out further with his arms, swatting desperately at the empty air. Until finally, unable to see through the blackness, Matto fell to his knees weeping and screamed, "MËNËKÒN!"

Matto's eyes flew open with a start. The room was dim, with only one well burned candle placed upon the night table. He lifted his head slightly and instantly felt a scorching pain radiate throughout his entire body. His back burned and he could see the bandages around his arm and torso. As his eyes acclimated to the darkness Matto could see that his mother was asleep with her arms folded atop his bed and her head nestled neatly within it. Matto could also see an empty chair to his left and upon further inspection, saw that his father was standing at the window peering out it.

"Father?" Matto said, his voice sounding hoarse and cracked. Very unlike its normal smooth soothing tone.

Uncas turned, quickly crossing the room to his son and rubbing his large palm across Matto's head. "How do you feel son?"

"Water?" Matto asked, trying to reach for the mug on top of the night table.

"No Matto, do not move." And Uncas took the mug, placing it against Matto's parched lips and helped him drink down several large gulps.

Having finally felt some relief against his rough throat Matto said, "Where is Iris?"

"She is in the next room."

Matto instantly began to slowly rise to his feet, doing his best not to wake his mother as he went.

"No Matto. You need to rest. You are in no position to be moving about."

Matto paused mid motion and said, "I will have no rest until I see her. You can help me or I will do it alone, but either way father, I am going to see her now." And he continued to slowly pull himself into a sitting position, softly wincing as he went.

Uncas knew that should the situation be reversed he would be doing the exact same thing so he grabbed ahold of his sons upper body and began to help him from the bed.

"Thank you father."

"Just a moment, then back to bed."

Matto nodded his head and let his father help him from his room, down the short hallway and into Iris's bedroom. Uncas pushed the partially cracked door fully open, exposing his son to the sight of Iris in her bed.

As Matto stared upon her, he could feel his legs begin to give out from beneath him and grabbed tightly to his father's body for support. Uncas began crossing the room to the nearest chair as he could feel Matto going limp in his arms. He placed Matto in the rocking chair right next to the head of Iris's bed and watched as his son placed his head down upon her arm and began to silently weep against her bare skin.

"Has she awoken yet father?" Matto asked between sobs.

"No son. No, she has not."

Author's Note: Phew there was a lot to get through with this chapter! Firstly, I know many of you thought it was going to Uncas, Martin and Ash who would save the day, but something seemed right about it being Keme, Robin and Elijah. I feel like they are more understated, yet just as fearsome, in their fighting skills and so I decided to ultimately make it them, which is why Keme and Robin were the closest in the forest.

The scene where Uncas and Ash come upon Elijah and the dead men, happens very quickly. It may seem longer reading it but overall it takes place in less a than minute. I didn't want anyone thinking that Uncas was just hanging out there while his son and daughter were bleeding to death. And yes you will see that I refer to both Iris and Matto as Uncas and Alice and Pru and Martin's son and daughter, as they are viewed as married by their family.

The scene with Pru was something I was certain needed to be included, especially after her seeing the bloody finger prints on Iris's legs and I wrote the scene with Matto leaving the trail of blood on her leg and dress I hadn't thought about how it would be viewed until I wrote Pru standing on the edge of the glade waiting for someone to return. Then it just hit me and I knew exactly what Pru would be thinking when she saw it. Despite her moving forward from it, the idea that that could have happened to her daughter as well completely freaked her out and it was very similar to those who suffer from PTSD. She just felt like she was reliving it all over again. Thankfully Nathaniel was there to help see her through it and fast, as her medical skills were needed within the cabin.

The scene with Cora, I personally really liked. I know it's small but I saw it as mighty! This was a very intense moment and someone needed to take charge of the situation and honestly I thought no one would be better than Cora.

I know Alice and even Uncas did not have as much screen time as others, but don't you worry... they will in the next chapter :)

As always I wanted to thank, AsterLaurel, Conbird, Evermore22, ELY72, MohawkWoman, Eilan21, BlueSaffire, for your incredible reviews! Your support is AMAZING and truly does help keep me moving along!

Thanks for reading :)