By the second week of January, I was eager for warm weather. The constant attention demanded by the hearths to keep the house a decent temperature was tiring. I was also longing for a good bath. There were no tubs here. The only way I had to wash was with a bucket of water I heated over the fire. It wasn't thorough enough for me. I wanted to submerge myself. The only way to do that was in the streams nearby. But it would be months before they were comfortable enough to preform such a feat. I made plans to rig something up in the spare space off of my bedroom, but that would take time to set up and a lot of effort to fill. It would have to wait until spring. As would repairing the back door. I'd looked at it and thought I had the problem identified. The hinges were bent, but to fix them meant removing the door from the frame. Something I wasn't going to do in the bitter cold of winter.

I found many things around the house to keep me busy. I washed windows, swept all the rugs, cleaned the floors and wiped down all the surfaces once a week. I'd gotten brave enough to start cleaning the men's rooms as well. I made the beds, tidied up and washed clothes daily.

As for my own attire, Achilles had given me a couple shirts, but the only pants I had were my own jeans. I preferred them because of the way they fit me just right. But they were becoming worn and stained. I was also dismayed by the lack of clean underwear. I had to go commando sometimes, which I hated. My bra was still in decent shape and for that I was very thankful.

The first bit of money Achilles gave me went to Lance for the cane. I had to argue with him for ten minutes and finally pretend to start crying before he took his pay, but I felt better once he did. The rest of the money I saved. I really didn't know how much it was or what I could buy with it. So I asked Connor for his advice after supper one night. He was sitting in the library pouring over books as he did every evening. I carried the small drawstring bag with my coins in there to him and sat it on the desk in front of him, atop the document he was interested in. He glanced up at me with that annoyed half glare of his.

"How much is that?" I asked him.

After eyeing me for a few seconds, he opened the purse and counted the coins. When he was done, he tied the string and handed the pouch to me.

"Sixteen pounds," he stated and went back to viewing the papers.

I watched him. It shamed me that I had no idea what he was saying. I did not understand the currency used here. I knew it was British, but not the value of it's total. It roughly translated to about twenty American dollars, but I had no clue how much things costed these days. Much less than what I was used to, I was sure. But items were different, too. I doubted I'd be able to find the clothes I wanted, but I definitely needed some new ones.

"What can I buy with it?" I asked.

Connor looked back at me, his brow wrinkled in confusion. "That depends on what you are wanting to buy," he said.

I knelt down at the desk next to him. "Clothes," I said.

"Then you have plenty."

I nodded. "Will you take me shopping?"

Connor frowned at me. "The closest store is a two day ride, Faith. Why do you not use the skins we have to make your clothes?"

That was the logical choice and what anyone in my position would have done. But I did not come from a world that taught tailoring for necessity. The way I had grown up, everything you wanted had to be bought. Self sufficiency was a dying art. I didn't know how to live here.

"I don't know how," I told him quietly.

Connor looked at me. I don't understand how it had taken him this long to realize that I was different. He was often taken aback by the way I spoke and acted, as thought it wasn't normal. But I guess he'd always held the belief that, deep down, I was like him. I wasn't.

"Okay," he said. "But it is a long trip. We will have to spend at least one night in the cold. There are no refuges along the way."

I nodded at him. The thought of camping in the wilderness didn't bother me. But I didn't really know what I was agreeing to yet.

It was early the next morning when we left. The bitter cold of the late January air made me wish I had a warmer jacket. Achilles had given me a pair of gloves to use, so at least my hands would not freeze. But my face was exposed, and the hood of my jacket did little ward off the chill.

Though I liked Akohsa:tens, she was Connor's horse. So I had to choose one of the other three to ride. I picked the white stallion. He was gentle and friendly. A bit playful, too. It took me bit to get used to the precarious way he liked to trot. But, once I did, I loved him. I decided he would be my horse and named him Valcor.

My breath caught as we passed the boundary dividing Achilles' property and the undomesticated frontier. I found myself atop a hill. The valley below was expansive and covered in a blanket of snow. There were mountains and bare trees all around me. It was a sight I'd never beheld before. A wondrous sight. I paused, tugging Valcor's reigns, so that I could take it all in.

"Oh, my God," I breathed.

"What is it?" Connor asked.

I looked at him. I noticed he'd stopped as well and was glancing over his shoulder at me as he sat astride Akohsa:tens. He had a furrow in his brow, as if irritated by my amazement. I supposed it was childish. He'd grown up to views like this. To him, it was nothing special.

"I-I've just never seen anything so beautiful," I said. "It's like a Thomas Kinkade painting."

From his expression I knew he didn't know who I was talking about, but thought it wasn't important. He understood that I like the scenery.

"Wait until you see it in the spring," he stated softly.

I smiled. I couldn't imagine what it would look like in bloom and green. I didn't think it could get any more breathtaking.

"Shall we continue?" he asked.

I nodded and led Valcor along the path behind Connor and his mare. Their hoofs were leaving long, deepening tracks in the foot high snow. I hated to disturb the serenity of the unmarked mounds, but we had no choice. I could not sit there and stare forever.

My wonder with the landscape never ceased, but it became only the backdrop for the unpleasantness of the cold ride. By lunch time I was shivering and wishing I'd stayed home. Connor called a halt to let the horses rest and drink from a creek nearby that wasn't completely iced over. We'd brought food and ate a little while standing beneath a large hickory tree. Connor leaned with his back against the trunk, staring out over the land while munching on deer jerky. I ate my bread quickly then hugged myself.

"Are you cold?" Connor asked.

I looked at him. "No," I said sarcastically.

He eyed with with derision. "Why did you not just answer honestly?"

"If you're going to ask a stupid question, expect a stupid answer."

Connor's jaw clinched. "Stupid?" he repeated. "This coming from the woman who does not even know how to count money."

I glared at him, but looked away when I felt my eyes sting. That had hurt. It had hurt so much because it was true. I was stupid, compared to him and Achilles. As well as everyone else here. The ignorance was not a feeling I was used to. I'd always been intelligent. When it came to studies, anyhow. Now I was learning how little I really knew about life.

"I did not mean that," Connor muttered.

"Me, either," I told him. "Yeah. I'm cold."

Connor whistled and the horses looked up. He made a noise and called to Akohsa:tens. Valcor followed her over to where we were standing. I petted his mane and he nuzzled against me, making me grin. The warmth of his breath was welcome, if not pleasant, on my face.

"Come on," Connor said as he mounted his horse.

I got on Valcor and we continued our journey. I glanced at Connor as we rode. His hood was covering his face, and I couldn't see his eyes.

"Can I ask you a stupid question?"

I saw his mouth go from the strait line it was into a slight curve that could be considered a grin. "I suppose," he said.

"Where are we?"

"John's Town," he answered.

I was surprised he hadn't hesitated before answering. He obviously knew the land well. Or he was pretending to. I was inclined to believe the former. The answer really meant nothing to me. The territory was foreign. I couldn't be sure about what state we were in. All I was certain of was that it was somewhere around New England. I began to wish I'd paid more attention in my early American history class. Maybe then I'd be a bit more knowledgeable about the land and life.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"Lexington," Connor answered.

"Massachusetts," I realized aloud.

Connor nodded. "Have you been there before?"

I shook my head. I only knew that Lexington was not far from Boston. I had been to Boston. Though, I doubted I would be able to recognize it now. It would only be a shadow of the city I knew. I was struck with the revelation that I was seeing the nation at it's birth. It was incredibly humbling. This was all a part of a history I'd never thought mattered. Lessons were so trivial and unimportant. I had never given them the attention they deserved.

I felt sad to know how the states would shape themselves, so far from the intended ideals of the minds that founded them. The cynical recollections of the future made me glad I wasn't there anymore.

I tightened my grip on Valcor's reigns and smiled at the landscape. I was freezing cold, hungry and all around miserable. Yet I had a stronger sense of contentment even with these discomforts than I'd ever felt in my life.

I glanced at Connor, the strange young man that had led me here. "Thanks," I muttered.

He eyed me with confusion, not knowing what he'd done to earn my gratitude. His mouth worked for a moment before he formed a response.

"You are welcome."

I chuckled at the amount of insecurity in his voice. It was funny when he was thrown off his guard.

The store was not what I expected. But I should have anticipated that. So many things confounded me. It was only one room and had very little selection. There were skins, bolts of fabric, food and some other items that the owner had acquired through trade and wanted to sale. Some of them were of native design; beaded jewelry, blankets and and clothes.

The store was more populated than I would have imagined. Apparently it served as a hang out spot for the citizens of Lexington. Most of them were hunters, gathered around the hearth to converse and keep warm. Everyone looked at Connor and me when we entered. I wasn't sure which one of us they were staring at. Both of us were dressed odd compared to everyone else, not to mention Connor was carrying enough weapons to qualify as a mobile armory. We stood by the fire for a moment to warm up before shopping. The heat was welcome after spending the night huddled in a fur blanket next to a small campfire. Connor was shivering slightly as he stood next to me, rubbing his hands together. I moved to the other side of him so that he could be closer to the flames. He gave me small grin of gratitude.

I heard one of the men behind us let out a loud huff and mumble something derogatory about natives under his breath. I didn't catch all of what he said, but I got the meaning. He was basically implying that Connor was my pet and not deserving of kindness. I saw my companion's jaw clinch, but he said nothing. I turned to the man and glared at him.

"What did you say?"

He smiled at me, but didn't repeat the words. "Sorry, sweetheart," he slurred. "Didn't realize you wanted to be a squaw."

I narrowed my eyes at him. I started to retort, but Connor put his hand on my shoulder. "Ignore him, Faith," he said. "His words are not deserving of a response."

I looked at Connor. He was clearly angry, but I didn't understand why he was being so calm. It occurred to me that he might be used to such insults. That possibility only made me more angry.

"I guess you're right," I said. I made sure to speak loud enough so that everyone could hear me. "If I valued the opinions of arrogant pricks like that, I'd be just as dissatisfied as every other woman who was unfortunate enough to give him attention."

I didn't turn enough to see what effect my words had on the man, but I saw Connor's reaction. It was almost funny how I was able to pinpoint the exact moment his confusion became slightly amused embarrassment as he understood what I had meant.

"Okay," he murmured, unsure of how to respond.

I felt warm enough to start browsing. I left Connor standing by the fireplace and wandered around looking at everything. Nothing was priced. I found a few things I was interested in. I was actually drawn to the tribal items. I found a pair of boot that I loved and was sure would fit me. I asked the proprietor how much they were.

"How will you be paying?" he asked.

"Money," I stated.

He seemed to find the answer satisfactory. "Twelve shillings."

Using estimates and a quick calculation of how much I was willing to spend, I decided what all I would buy. I got the boots, a jacket, a few yards of material, scissors, soap, and a razor for less than what I had figured. With still so much money left over, I began to look at the jewelry. I noticed a necklace sort of like the one Connor was wearing. The claws on it were smaller and darker in color. The leather strap held five of them, whereas Connor's only had three. I wondered what they were from. So I asked Connor if he knew.

"A wolf," he told me.

"Oh," I said. As I put the necklace back where I'd gotten it from, I couldn't help but notice the size difference between it and Connor's. For some strange reason, I'd always thought his necklace was made from the claws of a wolf. Obviously, I was wrong.

"What are those?" I asked him, gesturing to the bones around his neck.

"The claws of the first bear I killed," he said.

I stared at him, thinking he was kidding. He looked serious. "Really?" I mused.

"Yes," he said.

"Why only three?"

"Because the others were damaged," he told me.

"Oh," I muttered again.

We left without me buying anything else. As we exited, I noticed a stray cat taking refuge from the snow on the railing of the store porch. I paused to rub it. It began to purr as I did. I looked at Connor.

"Can we keep it?"

He frowned at me. "I do not think E:rhar would enjoy having a cat around."

I knew he was talking about the dog that hung around the house. I always fed it, but I thought it was just a community pet. I didn't know it belonged to Connor or that he'd given it a name. I stood up and looked at him.

"Is his name Mohawk for dog?" I asked.

"Yes," he said.

I laughed. "You're not very creative. I'm surprised you even call me by my name."

I put my stuff in my saddlebags and petted Valcor before climbing into the saddle. He whinnied happily at me.

"What else would I call you?" Connor asked as he mounted Akohsa:tens.

"The Mohawk word for girl," I stated.

Connor watched me as we began to ride back toward home. It was still early in the day and I was hoping we could make it most of the way before sunset. I was not looking forward to spending another night outside. It was beginning to flurry and the clouds were dark and thick with the promise of more snow.

"If I were to call you anything, it would be aonha."

I glanced at him. "What does that mean?"

"It is the word used to describe a woman you are familiar with," Connor told me. "Such as a sister or friend. Or one you do not respect."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "What's the Mohawk word for ass?"

Connor grinned, but remained silent.