Chapter 2 - Some Space

Cole angrily rushed into the boys' bedroom, thankful that Daniel still was talking to his dad. They shared the biggest room upstairs on the rooftop since they had built the ranch house. Another problem why Cole had not a single minute of privacy.

The teen hurried to pack his saddlebags for a few days. The last thing he needed was to be caught preparing a runaway. He would not need many things. The Absarokee always had a place for their friends. Cole had to get out of here. Shewa would know what to do. She was always one with good advice for him.

He had asked Wade earlier this week but his uncle wanted them to help the settlers with their little community. The new arrivals had named the place Canaan. The teen was not sure if it would be the promised land they hoped for, but he didn't care about them right now anyway.

The seventeen-year-old had done enough. Tanner would rest on the seventh day like God told mankind and take care of his mental health. If he stayed his family would drive him insane.

Pushing a spare shirt inside his bag, he hid it under his bed and slumped to his mattress, pretending to sleep when Sam and Daniel came in to get into their beds as well.

Cole didn't find much sleep. When he woke, it was still dark outside, though the horizon was already showing a purple shine. He listened once more to the silence of his still asleep roommates.

Silently grabbing his bag he sneaked out of the room with his boots in his arms. Cole had written a note for his family. He would never leave them without letting them know where he was. It was one of the main rules Wade had drilled into their heads.

'Never leave without letting someone know where you are.'

His uncle would guess anyway where that place was. But just to be on the safe side, he placed the note on the table and fixed it with a leftover cup.

Nobody stopped him as he rode only a little while later through the ranch gate, passing the metal "W" fixed with a chain between two poles.

The fresh morning air felt good to his skin. He loved to ride fast with the wind in his hair. Cole was hoping his uncle would accept his need to have a little bit of space. Already planning what he would do in the Absarokee camp he let his horse carry him safely to the camp.

Shewa and her brother Little Crow used to go fishing with him at the small creek near the camp. Though she was at the same age as Cole, he knew she had a thing for Daniel and she had always been like a sister to Cole. He was sure she wouldn't laugh over him like Sam.

Cole was also looking forward to going hunting some deer. He would have enough time to think while that.

*** The Wild West Triad - Prequel ***

Samuel Colt was up early, wondering that Cole was already downstairs. Soon the teen noticed he hadn't been up early enough for he found a note by his friend on the table that said:

I'm with Grey Feather for a few days. I'm back on Wednesday evening. Cole

Shit! Sam hadn't meant to cause this. Frustrated, he ruffled his blonde hair and started to make breakfast for the other two, thinking about a way to make it up to Cole again. He wanted to be a friend like they had been as he'd spent the first night with the Wilmingtons.

Cole had welcomed him with open arms as his Brother. What had gotten into him to drag Cole's trust through the mud?

A voice startled him and he whirled around. "Good morning Sam, where is Cole? I need him to help me with the outer fence today."

"Morning Wade, I'm sorry, he is gone. He left a note on the table. It is all my fault. I mocked him yesterday about Carolyn. I'm gonna help you with the fence instead," Sam offered excusing.

Grumpily sighing, Wade read the note and let it slide back on the table. "Don't blame it all on you, I should have seen this comin'. He kept asking me to let him go the whole week. But I will take your offer with your help. We should let him a little bit time and space to think. Grey Feather has to know anyway that more settlers have arrived."

*** Prequel - The Wild West Triad ***

Working with Sam on the fence for the cattle which had grown to a small herd over the last years, Wade brooded about Cole's actions and got even more convinced that it was time to call his Triad in. He could really use his Brothers' help here.

When Cole was back he would get into contact with his Triad. Bastian, Mike, and George had visited only a few times. Wade missed his Brothers every day more. But it had been important that the boys grew up in peace and quiet. They were the future of the Brotherhood and the Lady of the Lake had been more direct than ever when she told Wade to settle here with the whole future Triad. He knew about the lines of force that spread over this land like a spider net. George Harris was not only their Advisor, but a skilled Crafter and had explained it - even had colored a map - for them. The witch coven of Harris' mother confirmed it too. The few women had settled south from Fort William not long ago, so Harris was planning to move over soon anyway.

The change of light got unnoticed by The Guardian until Sam spoke to him. "Wade, a storm is on the horizon, we should get ready to head home."

Wade looked up at the darkening clouds. Samuel was right they should leave.

The storm didn't come but heavy rainfalls set in and left muddy slippery trails instead of the meanwhile good visible way to Canaan as well as the Wilmington Ranch.

*** The Wild West Triad - Prequel ***

Cole arrived at the Absarokee-camp in the late morning hours. He got off his horse at the sight of the teepees and walked the rest of the way. He spotted Bahena, the Medicine Man who was about to collect herbs. The boy stopped in front of the small man. Like always he wore black feathers in his grey hair and he had never seen him without the soft fox fur around his shoulders. Cole addressed to him in the Absarokee tongue. "Hello Bahena, how are you?"

The man looked up at the arriver and his face lit up. "Ah, young Cole, welcome, welcome. You are sent by the Little People. I need some help to bring all the herbs to the camp. Rain is coming and these must be brought in dry."

Cole was happy to offer some help to the man. He still had old guilt to pay. Watching up to the bright blue sky it was a mystery to him why it should start to rain anytime soon. Though he would do what Bahena asked for. "Sure."

Soon the two as well as Cole's black Mustang were packed with bundles of herbs and walked into the camp.

After they had brought the precious load inside, Cole strolled over to Grey Feather who was busy fixing a hole in his tent and didn't hear the boy nearing. "Greetings Grey Feather, hope everyone is well."

The tall man turned surprised. "Cole! Welcome, son. What brings you by."

Cole didn't answer instantly what made Grey Feather stare at him with prying eyes. Concerned, the man asked, "Is everything alright?"

"Yes, we're all fine. No worries," Cole added quickly.

"I can hear a 'but' in your answer, son." It seemed impossible to hide something from the man.

"New settlers arrived six days ago. They are planning to stay here. They already have a name for the village they are about to build." Cole made a pause and looked at the man to find out what he thought about that.

"Hmm. Maybe we should ride over to get to know them?"

"I – no, I think this is not a good idea. They are afraid of you … they heard rumors ..."

Grey Feather held his hand up to stop Cole from further explanations. "No, no, no. That is, even more, a reason to ride over. They will get the chance to meet us in person. Are they your concern?"

"No, not really." Cole turned his gaze and stared at the ground.

"You know, the eyes of man speak words the tongue cannot speak."

Though Cole rolled his eyes, he started talking. "There is this girl from the first settler family ..."

TBC

A/N: Let me know your thoughts about this story. Even when you thought it so horrible that you would not read on. Let me know. Every review is so very important to a writer.