Daughter of Shale and Eyes High
Prologue
Skywise stared at the cub she had just saved from a snake. She felt strange. It was as if she was somehow bound to the newborn Blood of Ten Chiefs. She had never felt so close to anyone in her young life. Not even her mother, of whom she had but as hazy memory. Not any of the tribe, who had all been like parents to her.
Joyleaf noticed the girl staring at her and the cub.
"Would you like to hold him, Skywise?"
"Yes. Thank you." And she held him in her arms, and her heart sang of love. He was a tiny little creature, eyes closed, tiny hands fisted. And he lay there so content, not crying for his mother. Joyleaf seemed to notice that.
"You're holding him just right, exactly as I was going to tell you to. You will be a good mother someday."
A mother? She? Not yet.
"I would rather be – a sister."
Later the cub was welcomed to the tribe, and Bearclaw told tribe name would be Cutter. And they all howled for the Blood of Ten Chiefs.