Chapter 4 - Welcome To The Men Conversation

Wednesday morning presented itself as a bright sunny day. The rainfalls had stopped on Tuesday and the land had already been dried by the spring sun.

The boys took care of the animals and Wade had a little bit of time to think about what to do with his nephew. He couldn't let him get away with that disappearing act, though he had left a note, he should have asked. Well, the boy had asked and Wade had said 'no'. The Guardian had to accept that Cole was no longer a kid which can be ordered without good reason. But that led him to the fact that Cole would be a hunter and the future Knight. The boy had to learn to accept the order of The Guardian. Well, Cole didn't know about his plans right now. The boy only rebelled against his uncle. As Wade got to this realization, he finally knew what to do. Cole had become a young man and his uncle hadn't noticed it. He would treat him like a man from now on, as a Brother, and in counteraction to this Cole would have to follow his orders. Now it was time to call The Triad to a new home. Wade had maybe even waited too long.

Pulling out his journal from the secretary he dipped the quill into the black ink and started writing.

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

"Dad! Cole is back!" Daniel rushed into his dad's office. Startled, his father dropped the quill, leaving a black dot on the freshly written page. "Daniel! What the heck is so extraordinary about Cole being back that you have to scare the shit out of me?"

"Sorry, Dad. But Grey Feather and Shewa are with him."

That was in fact something extraordinary. And bad timing as well. Wade had had enough time to get to know the other settlers. He had realized quickly that they all were afraid of the tribes. One wrong move now could lead to trouble no matter from which side.

Wade stepped out of the ranch house happy to see Grey Feather though he hoped his nephew's early arrival in the company of the two Absarokee didn't mean something bad had happened. He noticed Cole's averted eyes. At least the boy - no young man - knew, he had acted against his order and felt bad now.

"Grey Feather, good to see you, dear friend!" Wade greeted the older man and welcomed him with open arms. The men hugged each other and patted on their shoulders.

"Wade, yes it's been a while. Cole told us about the settlers and we took the opportunity to meet them in person," Grey Feather announced.

Shewa was already talking to Daniel who beamed at her as if it was Christmas. Wade had to smile a little. He was an attentive observer and also noticed the eye-roll of Cole as Grey Feather told about his reason to come over.

"Come inside so we can talk." Wade looked at Cole who still tried to avoid his gaze. "Cole, I want you and Sam to join the conversation. Would you go and get him?" He saw his nephew's surprised look as he now dared to look at his uncle.

"Yes, Uncle," Cole said following the men into the house.

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

Cole had been afraid his uncle would be angry about his disappearing against his direct order. He hadn't counted on an invitation to join the men's conversation instead. Though he was glad how his homecoming had turned out, he was still convinced Grey Feather's plan to visit the settlers was a stupid idea.

He hurried upstairs to the big room the three of them shared. He found Sam right where he had pictured him bent over a book at his desk. "Sam, come downstairs. Wade wants us to join his conversation with Grey Feather."

Sam turned to his friend. "Cole, you are back?" The teen got up, turning to his friend. "Cole, I'm so sorry about what I said in the barn. It was so mean and stupid of me. I don't know, what had gotten into me."

Cole looked stern with crossed arms at him but soon couldn't control his lopsided smile any longer. "You know I'm not one to bear a grudge for long. Apology accepted."

Smiling relieved, his friend asked while coming closer. "So we're good?"

Cole placed an arm on Sam's shoulder when he was close enough. "Yeah, we're good. Come, let's go to the adults. I'm curious to know, why we are allowed to join the conversation."

The two boys hurried downstairs where Grey Feather and Wade were already talking. They were assigned to take a seat at the oval walnut table with the triad symbol engraved, Wade had brought the piece of furniture with them from Connecticut.

All eyes were on Wade who was silent for a while like ordering his thoughts. "When Cole left and I only found that note of him, I was angry at first. Then I started to think and I began to realize that I fell asleep on my watch. I missed the right time when you two began to be no longer kids but young men. I'm sorry for that." Sighing, Wade ran a hand along his mustache.

"Sam, I know you don't like it much to be around other people and I don't know if the time for you is right as well. What I'm trying to say is … you all know about the Brotherhood and I believe it is time to bring the Triad home - to us. I built this place not only to have a new home but to protect this place. It will be the home of the new Triad as well as the old one. I'm planning to order Mike and Bastian to Wyoming. They will stay with us for a longer time and they will start to train you two to be hunters when they arrive." Wade made a pause and let the information sink in.

Cole had heard every word but couldn't believe them to be true. He had thought Wade would have a punishment for sure for his behavior though it had looked like it wouldn't be that bad when he had arrived back home. But he hadn't thought about that. He would become a hunter. Finally! He wanted to be a hunter since he realized what his Uncle, Mike, and Bastian were doing. But he had listened closely to Wade's words. He had also spoken of the next Triad. Would he also order some other hunters over?

"Grey Feather, though the other settlers haven't asked to settle down - I will do. Do you allow two more hunters to live here?"

Cole saw the smile on the Absarokee's weathered face. "If they are only half as honorable as you, I will welcome them as Brothers."

Wade nodded, grateful. Then turned to Cole and Sam. "So it is a sealed deal. As hunters in training now you can tell me your opinion and I will consider it over my decisions. But I'm still the leader of the Brotherhood and I will not accept disobedience. Do you understand?" He shot Cole a severe look.

Cole realized what The Guardian tried to tell him. He would no longer run away from his uncle but dismiss an order of his Guardian if he did not follow his orders. But becoming a hunter was a wish come true, he could manage what Wade wanted. He only nodded and Wade went on.

"Grey Feather is here to meet the Settlers to allay their concerns about the Absarokee. I want to hear your opinion about his plan."

Sam answered first, glancing at Cole. His friend was still thinking about the issue. "I understand Grey Feather's idea. He came alone only with his daughter and will mean no threat to the settlers. They can get to know him and will hopefully change their mind about the Absarokee. I think it could work."

Cole found back to the conversation. "I know what he has in mind with it and it is an honorable act, but I have spoken to Aaron before about the tribes. His father even gave the boy a gun to protect his family. They have heard many bad rumors about the tribes. I don't want anything to happen to you or Shewa. I think it is not a good idea. I told Grey Feather about my concerns in the camp and I won't change my mind about it. But if I can't talk you out of this then I will be at your side."

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

Wade was so proud of Cole. Acting like a real Knight seemed to be written in his entire being. Concerned about his folks' safety, protective, preconceived all the facts he knew from. The Guardian felt satisfied with his decision. Cole felt not punished but honored by his decision, he could read it from his nephew's face. Plus the boy - no, the young man - would not go against his orders anymore.

"Ok, then Cole and I will come with you and Shewa to Canaan." The Guardian announced, getting up from the chaise lounge. "Cole, when we are back, you're gonna ride with me to Fort William. We have to extend the house for The Triad."

Cole got up from his seat, too. "Yes, Uncle."

Wade nodded shortly. "The meeting is declared over."

Sam and Grey Feather left the room and started already talking but Cole remained standing at the table, waiting.

"Cole, do we have something else to discuss?" Wade asked, interested cocking a brow.

"No, I … thank you, Uncle Wade. This means a lot to me. I won't disapoint you agian."

Wade spotted the young boy in his first stumbled words but he transformed into a man with his next words. Wade was proud to call him his blood. He came closer laying a hand on Cole's shoulder, smiling. "I know you won't, son." Cole still didn't move. Wade thought to know what his nephew's concern was. He let his hand sink. "Cole, I'm more than one person to you. I'm your Guardian, your Uncle, even a father but I'm also a friend, a Brother. You can tell me when you have something on your mind or heart. I would feel honored if you would tell me what's wrong."

He could see Cole searching for the right words though it was plain and simple what he said. "I think I'm in love with Carolyn."

Wade didn't laugh. He took this seriously. Cole trusted him with a deep feeling and he wouldn't talk this down. "Carolyn, huh? So tell me about this young Lady, Kramer's daughter, right?"

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

The little party of four people rode over to Canaan after lunch. Daniel and Sam stayed at the ranch. They didn't talk much. All was said and planned. Wade would go to meet Kramer first and the others would wait outside until Wade would call them.

Wade got up from his horse and walked over to the little house they had helped build last week. There was still a lot to do but the Kramers were skilled hard-working people and had already finished the main house.

Wilmington knocked at the door which soon was opened by Jared Kramer. "Wade, what a nice surprise, I hadn't thought to see you this week. Do you want to come in?"

"Thank you, Jared, I wanted to ask you if you would allow to introduce you to a friend of mine?" Wade still stood outside waiting for an answer from Kramer.

"Sure, Wade everyone you call a friend, has to be a man of good character." Jared peeked around Wade and spotted Cole, then Shewa, and Grey Feather. Cole saw all the color fading from his face.

The two looked nothing like 'normal people'. Dressed in nearly white deerskin leather clothes decorated with colorful beadwork they gave an extraordinary view. Grey Feather wore feathers bound in a circle in his Hair. Even their horses wore feathers and beadwork-decorated blankets and headgear.

Wade nodded to his folks and Shewa got off her horse first. Her elk teeth, sewn on her top, clattered with her movements. Cole led the two to Kramer's house. Where a disturbed-looking Jared stood in the opened door.

Cole felt the tension in Mr. Kramer's gaze. He was not sure how he would react. He couldn't leave it to chance what happened next, so he used the moment of silence and answered fast. "Hello Mr. Kramer, Sir. These are our neighbors and friends, Grey Feather and his daughter Shewa from the tribe of the Absarokee. They came over this morning to get to know you and offer their friendship to the people in Canaan," Cole introduced the Crow.

Kramer addressed Wade instead of answering anything to Cole. "Wade, you never mentioned that an Indian tribe is living close by. Don't you think this would've been an important detail to tell us?"

Grey Feather took the word and offered Kramer his hand. He had learned the Whites tongue as well, not as good as Shewa but well enough to understand and lead a conversation. "My name is Grey Feather and we hope to be friends with you and the other settlers here."

Kramer stood still, quite shocked and at a loss of words. Suspicious, he took the man's big hand he was offering.

Cole let out a silent breath of relief. Ok, so far this went surprisingly well. Kramer let them all inside and gestured his wife over to bring something to drink.

Cole was sure the Kramers and the Absarokee would never be best friends but it seems like there could be a coexistence. Aaron and Chris stayed in the background and didn't even talk to Cole. Only Carolyn, what pleased Cole, came over and soon talked with Shewa. The two came along very well and Shewa, like always open-hearted, invited Carolyn to the camp together with Cole. He wasn't sure if he should punch her or kiss her for that. His heart was pounding in his chest to no end.

They left the Kramers soon and visited the other settlers as well. All of them offered them their hospitality though a little bit reserved. They seem to understand how important it was to have alliances, maybe even friends.

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.