So apparently this is what comes to my mind after spending a weekend watching the Patriot, The Revenant, and reading history books about the Apache Wars. I didn't write this to condemn or condone no one, I just made it for fun (although I may be biased to one way of thinking for obvious reasons).
This is going to be a long chapter to try and set everything up, they'll bring up more questions and answers through the story. I'm not sure if the next few chapters will be as long. I'll try and update every two weeks if not sooner but we shall see depending on the workweek.
Warning: This story will have graphic war violence, destruction, and just general R-rated material but no lemons.
"Non-italic they're speaking the common language, Italic they're speaking the native language"
Zootopia: 1800
"Never think that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, is not a crime."— Ernest Hemingway, 1946
1.
"What is your name?"
Ajé doesn't answer the stranger. At first, she thought he was another of the sheriff's deputies, but as he stepped closer she was able to see he was wearing a uniform different from that of a policeman.
The dark blue jacket with golden buttons and the jet-black pants with knee-high boots. A cavalry officer.
The person speaking was some sort of canine, a creature that looked like her but far different. His snout wasn't as long and the ears were floppy. His fur was a dull grey and doesn't look as lush or thick as her dark brown fur. He looked young though, far younger than most officers with greying or white hair.
His brown eyes were bright and alert, signaling boundless energy, but he kept his focus on her, the wolf in the cell.
He looked and sounded friendly, but the flintlock pistol and the sword strap to his hip reminded her who he was.
She felt ice form in her gut, but maintain her calm face. Not giving anything away, just maintaining the hollow stare her father had taught her.
"You're wasting your time," a new but familiar voice snarled as another person step up beside the officer.
She recognized him; sheriff Dodson, the one who was supposed to maintain the peace. He is an odd-looking animal, with a bulbous head and equally large belly. His smooth skin made it obvious he wasn't canine, but something else, a hippo if she remembered correctly. Ajé and her brother laughed when they first saw him and pointed at his tiny ears as they stuck out from beneath his hat. His echoing bellow was enough to drive them away, and the pure rage in his eyes made it clear the sheriff had no intention of being friends, especially not with someone from the tribes.
She wasn't the first wolf to be thrown into jail. It felt like Sheriff Dodson has imprisoned every wolf on the reservation at least once, showing little patience and seeing every action as either a threat or an insult. He rarely laughed or smiled, always walking around the settlements looking for any reason to throw them into the cells.
This was Ajé's third time being in the cells and at the moment she is the only one. She was expecting to be kept there for at least a week before being let go, but now she fears that won't be a possibility. She had no idea what an army officer could be doing here, but remembering the bloody vengeance the soldiers took on her people before they first accepted the peace treaties were sure indicators of what was to come next.
"Still," the officer continued, not taking his eyes off of Ajé who remained sitting crossed leg in the middle of her prison. "I'd like to speak with her."
Sheriff Dodson snorted.
"I've never seen this one talk before in my life," he said while smacking the metal bars for emphasis. "She's either dumb or mute."
Ajé's left ear twitched and she was annoyed at herself for the slip. But it doesn't appear Dodson noticed.
"Is that right?"
Ajé suddenly flinched and her calm face broke into an expression of surprise as she looked up into the officer's face. The canine was now smiling. It wasn't vicious like the ones soldiers usually threw at her, but kind and opened.
This officer, this Zootopian… knew her language. She met a few traders who knew a few words, but they always stumbled over the pronunciations. She certainly never heard her native tongue be spoken from the mouth of an enemy. There was an odd accent, but he spoke clearly and cohesively.
"What is your name?"
Again he spoke in her language and she considered answering. The wolf language was complex and difficult to learn. One can only master the words of their ancestors if they were raised with one of the clans.
She peered more closely at the officer. Was he part wolf and she simply couldn't see it? He didn't have thick fur nor any other structure of one of her kind.
Dodson was staring at the officer and opened his massive mouth to speak but he raised a hand and the sheriff remained silent.
"My parents were the store owners of the Blazing River Trading Post," the officer said. "Do you know of it?"
Ajé should be cautious, but she couldn't help but be curious. She wanted to know more about who this Zootopian was.
Carefully, Ajé nodded her head to answer the officer's question.
His smile widens.
"My name is Connor," he said. "Conner Sullivan. I grew up playing with the wolf cubs of the White Branches Clan, are you related to them?"
Deciding to take the risk and answer a question no Zootopia would know, Ajé Finally spoke.
"No," she said in her clear voice. "Black Mesa clan."
Connor's brows rose.
"I heard of you," he said. "You lived to the east of the Solov's peaks."
Connor bowed his head a little to her. "I was surprised, but happy to hear that your people have come and accepted the treaty."
Bitterness soon overtook curiosity and this time Ajé didn't try to hide her frown.
"We came because we were hungry," she growled and looked away from the canine.
Connor's smile fell as he raised his head back.
"Ah, yes," he said. "I can understand how you can feel about the fighting."
Ajé cast a glance at the calvary uniform. "If you grew up with White Branches, then you understand."
His eyes darken, mouth twisting a scowl as he looked away. He was angry, but at who? Her? No. At his people? Maybe. Did he really grow up with the White Branch clan? Was he in the army when the Zootopians wiped them out?
Sullivan took a deep breath and she realized he was attempting to put on his calm face, but it wasn't working. She can still see he was upset.
"I did not come to talk of the past," he said. "I came to ask for your help."
Ajé tilted her head a little to the side. "My help?"
Sullivan's fingers began tapping on the sword, causing Ajé to tense, but he doesn't pull out. He doesn't seem aware of his actions.
"Black Moon has escaped the San Tana reservation," Sullivan said. "He is back on the warpath." He looked back at her. "With nearly a hundred warriors."
Ajé's fur bristled at the news. Black Moon escaped? The war chief was known as the terror of the Azkas in the south. Some soldiers here have called him a butcher, and for good reason. Even among the wolves, Black Moon's blood lust was legendary. The Black Mesa Band was relative to him, but even they feared his wraith. Ajé's father and the other warriors often discussed the matter of joining his war party. They lost more than one hot-headed wolf who left to ride with the infamous chief.
A war chief, who made it clear he hated all settlers. And any wolf who stood with them.
"That is…bad," Ajé said. What else was there to say? Black Moon may have sworn to kill any wolves who accepted the Zootopian's peace, but he accepted it himself after decades of fighting, even if it was for a brief while. But the thought of what this rage-filled chief would do to her people, her family if he came here to punish the wolves living on the reservations, was disturbing.
"It is very bad," Connor said with a sigh, looking forlorn, his bright eyes growing dim. "It took many winters to convince him to accept peace, but now that he is walking the warpath many people," he paused and look at her. "Our people, mine and yours are in danger."
Ajé nodded in understanding, but still not certain what the officer was proposing.
She didn't have long to wait and was surprised when the canine suddenly lowered himself to one knee so that he and Ajé were at eye level. She was careful not to stare into his eyes for too long though, age-old taboo forbidding her.
"What we need," he said. "Are wolf warriors to stop Black Moon."
That sentence was said in the zootopian tongue. She understood it and it again broke through her cold face and made her react.
She was surprised by this proposal. Wolf warriors helping the zootopian army? Ridiculous, such a thing has never happened before.
Such thoughts were echoed by Dodson.
"What was that?" the Sheriff asked, having lost interest in the conversation before Sullivan said words he understood but hoped he had misheard. "Did you say we need these savages? Is that what you said? No, you must have misspoken."
Ajé agreed, but before she could concur with the sheriff, Connor continued.
"For the past centuries, our soldiers and the Azka army have been trying to fight your people." He gestured at her. "We failed," Connor said.
"Not yet we haven't," Dodson intrudes. "Just a few more years-"
"We don't have a few more years," Connor said in a raised voice and sent the sheriff a glare. "Black Moon isn't our only concern," Connor said as he looked back at Ajé. "A new empire is emerging across the sea, armed revolutions are occurring all across the southern lands and even the trapping companies in the north are becoming antsy."
"And in the middle of it all, Zootopia." He leaned in closer to the bars. Ajé could have reached out and sliced his neck with her claws if she wanted to and the officer knew it.
"I know what you think of our people," Connor said, never taking his eyes off of her. "But what we have done is created the only city on this entire continent. With its position, it is key to our people's survival, but it is also a target for the people of all the different lands across the ocean. I can guarantee you, that at least with Zootopia, with us, you're more likely to find friends and allies."
Ajé is silent for a moment before muttering. "Friends don't steal homes."
Connor looked down at that, appearing ashamed. "I'd be lying if I said we could fix that. But our people are here to stay."
He then looked back up at her. "But maybe Black Moon will make the council listen to us this time. He returned to the warpath because he didn't get what they promised. Maybe this time they will heed us."
He heaved a huge sigh. "Because if they don't, it won't be long before we come under siege from other nations, other clans, that will easily destroy us."
"We need you, we need the wolves, the native creatures of this land for help if we want to keep our homes." He closed his eye and took a deep breath. "I swear, we will do everything we can to coinhabit this land together. When our forefathers first started laying the foundation for Zootopia, they wanted to make a home for everyone, make a home where anyone can be what they want to be."
Connor held out his paw towards Ajé. "And right now I want to be your friend, daughter of the Black Mesa. Because without your knowledge of the land, of the people, of your war, then everything we want to be will be lost. And your people will suffer even more."
He eyed her closely. "Further, I offer you and any other wolf warrior a full soldier's wage. Shoot, I'll move mountains to get you all medals if you want. But most of all, I offer you, and those like you, to leave the reservations and walk the warpath yourself again. And, Council willing, we can move some of your people back to the homelands."
She glanced into his eyes and saw understanding. He knows. He could see the scars just barely covered by her fur. He knows that despite being a young female, she was in battle, and she, like her fellow warriors, long to leave their reservation and walk on the warpath. They could sense that, despite what the treaties said, they were still at war, it was an insult for warriors to sit and do nothing.
And the promise of the homelands…could that be true? Too many times Zootopia have broken their solemn vows for peace and respecting one another's lands. To go home where they were born, where they belonged, where they know where to find food and water would be a blessing. Further, they could not live on the reservations. They were too small, the land was infertile and they weren't moving at all, so unlike their nomadic way of life.
Her father told her to learn the zootopians' ways, to walk their paths. They should only be trusted when there was no other choice and should always be looked on with suspicion. But this officer Sullivan, he knows. He knows her people, he knows their suffering. And he knows they will not fail.
She was hesitant to ride against Black Moon, to call Zootopia her friend, but what choice was there? Black Moon wanted to kill, Zootopia wanted peace. And with her family here, they are a target of the dreadful chief. There was no decision to make.
Moving with confidence, she raised her paw and shook with Connor.
"I hope you know what you are doing general Sullivan," Admiral Niket said as he stared out the window. The Walrus watched from the second story of the army HQ building as the she-wolf left the compound. She had just signed all necessary documents (he was surprised she knew how to write) and was told to meet them first thing tomorrow for the expedition. They also instructed her to bring along any warriors that would follow.
They just sent a runner to fetch Colonel Roberts Kanye. Oh, he's going to love having wolves in his company.
Despite himself, Niket couldn't help but admire how the she-wolf walked out of the compound. She must surely know every soldier had their eyes on her, hands on their weapons, fingers twitching towards the trigger, and yet she gave them no mind. She continued to walk like a woman on a mission, back straight, chin high, and eyes straight ahead.
"She's not even wearing shoes," he muttered as he watched the native walk towards the reservation, some miles from the fort. He wondered how many people would stop and watch her walk by, a savage wolf wearing loose trousers and an even looser shirt that was made for a male gorilla.
"It's ironic really," General Sullivan said as he poured himself some scotch and drank it in one gulp. "The clothes are probably the only thing we're sending to the reservation. Out of everything, it's the clothes we sent, not food, not lumber, but clothes." He snorted a little. "And wolves probably find them uncomfortable, especially the shoes."
"They'd rather run naked than dressed like civilized people," Niket muttered as he joined Sullivan at the desk and allowed the Great Dane to pour him some spirits as well. "You can tell by the fact that some of the women wear men's clothes, they don't care about decorum. They cant be civilized."
Sullivan lightly clicked his tongue in disagreement. "It's a cultural thing, it's how they lived their lives before we got here. Maybe you'd understand if you lived in the desert." He gave the admiral a small smirk. "I'd probably be running naked too in that heat."
"But surely the females would understand the difference between clothes meant for them and a man." Niket pressed. "I've seen them in those skirts of theirs, surely they must know."
"Of course, they do, they're not stupid," Sullivan answered. "But the dresses our females wear are different from theirs. Wolf skirts are shorter, more convenient when living in the wild, and if they need to run at a moment's notice. Our women's dress drags on the ground, can easily be tangled or get snared in a dry brush. The wolf knows what it means to dress appropriately."
"And the females wearing men's clothes?" Niket pressed. "What's the reason for that?"
"The females in men's clothes are the warriors," Sullivan said simply.
Niket paused, the edge of his cup barely touching his lips. "Really?"
"Yes," Sullivan nodded. "I told you they weren't stupid. They have never seen a soldier wear a dress into battle, so why would a female warrior?"
Niket just hummed to himself as he took another swig.
"I'll grant you the knowledge of needing their help to track Black Moon," Niket said as he moved around the table so he can get a better look at the map. "Takes a savage to find a savage eh? But why warriors? The soldiers won't get any sleep knowing their native guides are armed and ready to declaw them whenever they want."
Sullivan refrained himself from lashing out at the Walrus' insults. He may not have been a part of any of the tribes, but he did grow up with the White Branches clan. He was a child and yet was welcomed into their hamlet with open arms, and was readily taught their ways. Being a young pup in the frontiers, of course he was interested in their way of life, especially in their warrior culture. He even played war games with wolf cubs his age, tracking and ambushing each other under the blazing hot sun. He loved it, and he knew his parents did as well, knew they were hoping this was a sign of lasting peace.
A peace that was destroyed along with the clan. He still remembered waking up to the distant sound of gunfire. Running downstairs, tearing away from his parents' grasp and jumping on the nearest horse. He rode bareback like the wolves had taught him and rode hard to their camp.
When he had arrived, the soldiers had just finished setting the last wickiups on fire, all the horses and bovine gathered in a heard. While all the former inhabitants, wolf, she-wolf, and cubs alike, lay where they were killed, already being eaten by flying scavengers.
Sullivan himself was shot in the shoulder, mistaken to be a wolf himself. He was lucky the bullet hadn't torn his arm off, but it still hurt even as he grew to adulthood. The pain often reminded him of the event, of what he saw and what he felt at what would later be known as the White Branch massacre.
He wondered what Ajé thought when he told her what tribe he had learned her customs from? Was she sympathetic? Or did she believe he had something to do with the killing of her kin?
Probably the first, if she had believed he was involved in the death of the White Branches, then she never would have agreed to his proposal.
"General?"
Sullivan blinked and shook his head. "Sorry admiral was wool-gathering."
Niket eyed him for a moment before looking back down at the map.
"You're certain Black Moon is heading back to his old hunting ground?" Niket asked. "He could be making a beeline for Azka."
Sullivan joined him and looked down at the charts. The continent of Uesa was a good-sized country, but for now, Zootopia's territory only stretched so far. The city-state was on the east coast and barely spread their fingers outwards to the west. The lush hills of green became an arid desert after a couple of days' journey. Their southwest territory, boarding the nation of Azka, was barely inhabitable with only the wolf clans freely living in the area. At least before the Zootopian calvary brought them to heel.
There have been talks of offering land to Zootopian settlers, but Sullivan put his foot down. Zootopia was just a few steps away from disaster, if the people moved west he knew for a fact that they could not protect them. Their forts were barely maintained and with all the chaos happening in the world he felt it was imprudent to train their soldiers to defend the borders, not antagonize the raiders living within their territories. They didn't have the strength to fight a two-front war, especially if the tribes were planning to unite as their tribal liaisons in the northern section had reported.
"Black Moon and his band are going to need food before continuing their raids against Azka," Sullivan explained. "It's the height of the hunting season in the southwest, they'll probably stock up before moving south."
"Barbarians," Niket hissed.
Sullivan couldn't help but agree. The one thing he never did when living with the White Branches was that he never ate the meat they hunted. Just thinking about it made his stomach churn as he thought of a family of elk with who his family was friends with back in Zootopia. He wondered if it was bad luck the deer in Uesa hadn't evolved as much as the other animals had, or if the wolves' constant hunting kept them in a primal state.
"They'll hunt," Sullivan continued, "and then move south. I'm going to order Colonel Kayne to head to the border to intercept Black Moon. If all goes well, they'll stop them before they cross. If not…well we already gave Azka's embassy the news and to say they're not happy would be an understatement."
"I hope we don't have to worry about them next," Nikit said lowly. "My ships are already stretched thin between protecting the harbor and the merchant's vessels."
"They're in the same boat as we are," Sullivan paused and chuckled. "Sorry, bad use of words, but they are in a fixed state. They haven't made peace with their natives either, it sounds like these Jaguars are proving more destructive than they expected. The last thing they need are wolves crossing the border. If it looks like we're doing anything less than our best then I'm sure we'll have diplomatic if not militaristic problems to worry about."
Niket is silent for a moment before looking up.
"You think these wolves will help?" He asked one last time, knowing that the general will see the council after their meeting and finalize the deal. "Can we trust them to hunt their own kind?"
"They're not as united as we think," Sullivan said. "They may be of the same tribe, but their clans are a mess. They've been waging war against one another long before we arrived. I took a gamble talking to a Black Mesa clan member, they grew up close to Black Moon's old clan, but it seemed to have paid off. Besides, I'm offering them a chance to go to war, as is a part of their culture."
"You still could have hired her as a scout or something," Nikit persisted. "No need giving them weapons and putting yourself at risk."
"Asking them not to fight is like asking a bird not to fly," Sullivan argued. "They'll be loyal as long as we keep our word. That was General Miles's downfall, that's why the wolves attack his men on sight. They see him as a liar, and among the clans, they cast out liars. As long as I'm honest with them, they'll be honest with me."
Niket sighed and ran a hand over his mustache. He didn't like it, but he can see the logic in Sullivan's advice. He would rather wipe out the natives and be done with this business altogether but without the numbers or the impossible strength. Peace may very well be their saving grace.
"I hope you know what you're doing," Nikit repeated.
Sullivan merely noded. "I do."
"Good," Nikit turned on his heel and started walking out. "Because I'll leave you to explain to Colonel Kayne his new charge."
Nikit couldn't help but chuckle when he heard the Great Dane swear after him.
The sun was about to set when Ajé heard the splashing and the growls.
The little creek that runs through the reservation is valued beyond measure to the wolf. It gave them clean water, a place to bathe, and even fish. The families were supposed to share the water source so as not to take too much from it, but already the little stream is showing some strain supporting the clans.
Nearly a thousand wolves used this water and it is losing its purity and its fish. Ajé desperately hopes what Connor said was true and that they would be allowed to go back home. Otherwise…she wasn't sure what they would do.
She had met with Humenta's mother and arranged for the ceremony tonight. Although they were surprised and disbelieving at first, she saw the acceptance and loneliness in the mother's eyes.
Ajé 's heart broke at seeing the older women's fears and anxiety but hid them behind her calm face. She briefly wondered what her own mother would think of this? She and Ajé's younger brother, Wilchie, had left with a trade caravan heading to Bunny Borrow to trade. It was a short three-day journey by wagon, but when they return Ajé will be long gone with the soldiers. The best Ajé would be able to do was leave a message with the clan elder and hope the wise one will know the right things to say to soothe her family's worries.
Her mother was still suffering from the loss of Ajé 's father. The last thing she would want to hear was that she could lose her daughter next. Wilchie would be upset that she didn't take him with her, but she felt this journey would be unsafe for a cub barely ten winters old, especially while in the company of soldiers.
Ajé pushed those thoughts aside as she found who she was looking for.
Lazing along the bend of the creek was Humenta, laying on his back and watching the water pass by. The brown-furred wolf was clothed like a Zootopian, but still wore a necklace around his neck infused with flint stone and a tiny turkey feather. His dark eyes were almost narrowed as he watched the water go by, or rather as he watched his friend.
Wading in the creek was Ku'ní. At barely sixteen winters he was the youngest warrior in the clan. He was almost naked except for the loincloth around his hips as he high-stepped through the water. He carried an improvised spear with a sharp tip and held it at the ready a few inches above the water's surface.
The black fur wolf moved with as much grace as he could, green eyes searching for any fish that dared get close to him.
The green eyes had unserved people at first, a sign that his father was an outsider, possibly someone from Azka. Whether Ku'ní's mother consented to have a child is a secret she took to the grave. She died of sickness not long after giving birth to Ku'ní leaving the pup to be raised by the tribe.
Ajé wasn't certain if it was his way or if he felt he needed to prove himself, but Ku'ní had strived to be the best of them all. Whether it was hunting, riding, or fighting, he wanted everyone to know who he was and that he was the best. His determination is admirable but it had led to him having a quick temper, taking offense to the littlest of jokes. He was always working, finding ways to improve or challenge himself.
The fact that he was trying to hunt fish with a spear was evidence of that. The wolves aren't accustomed to fishing, but they quickly learned the trick in using lines and lures given to them by friendly Zootopians. Ajé could only guess Ku'ní's attempt at spearing fish was his way of maintaining his warrior's edge.
He suddenly jabbed the spear into the water, but the frustrated snarled he gave was sign enough he missed his target.
"Ah, Ajé," Humenta suddenly said and looked up at the female with a wry smile. "Mother said you went into town earlier."
Ajé nodded silently, eyes not leaving Ku'ní for a moment longer. She was having doubts about asking him for help, but she needed all the warriors she could find. She had no doubt Ku'ní will be anything less than a good hunter. But can she trust him not to kill their Zootopian companions?
"Something wrong?" Humenta asked as he sat up. Ever since he was young, the 20 winters old wolf was able to sense if something was bothering his family or friends. He would help them in any way he could, making him a good friend to have and she hopes the empathy he shared with the tribe will also work for the Zootopians.
Ajé doesn't answer Humenta at first as she called out. "Ku'ní! Get over here!"
The black wolf gave Ajé a sideways glance. If he was relieved at seeing her, he didn't show it. Regardless, he started wading towards where the other two wolves were.
Humenta still looked puzzled but remained silent, knowing Ajé would speak when she was ready.
Ku'ní splashed back onto land and quickly shook himself, spraying everyone in the process. Ajé doesn't say anything as she shields her eyes, but Humenta lets out a low growl of annoyance. Ku'ní ignored him as he crossed his arms and gave his full attention to the female.
Seeing that she had their attention, Ajé got to the point.
"Black Moon has escaped," she said. Ku'ní's annoyance quickly disappeared and Humenta sat up, suddenly interested.
"The soldiers are going after him," she continued. "But they want our help to catch him."
The two males waited for her to continue, but when nothing else was said they looked at each other.
"The soldiers want our help?" Ku'ní asked disbelievingly. "Why?"
"This is the fourth time they are chasing Black Moon," Humenta answered for Ajé. Almost all wolves knew of Black Moon's exploits. "They only catch him because he lets them."
Ajé nodded, having reached the same conclusion herself. "The soldiers want us to catch him quickly before he kills more settlers."
Ku'ní's hackles rose at that. "Why should we care if he kills invaders on our homeland?"
Humenta didn't say anything, but the fact that he didn't object to Black Moon killing zootopians was a statement in itself.
"The soldiers told me if we kill Black Moon, they will allow us to go home."
Another pause, another look of confusion and disbelief passes between the males.
"That's…not possible," Humenta finally said as he stood up, a look of confusion on his face. "The soldiers said we were meant to stay here forever," he said as he pointed at the ground.
"They already claimed our homeland," Ku'ní barked in agreement. "And they lied to us before. Why should we believe in them now?"
Ajé I nodded to show her agreement with their questions before answering. "The officer who told me this spoke to me in wolf. He learned from the White Branches clan and gave his word that we can return home."
A zootopian knowing their language and agreeing to send them home? This was indeed unusual and it left the two males at a loss for words.
"I am going," Ajé told them. "I gave my word I would go, but if you two wish to join me, I would appreciate it."
"Just us?" Ku'ní asked and gestured around. "No one else?"
"We're the only ones in the clan ready for war," Ajé I pointed out. "My uncle and the other warriors already rode off with the trading caravan, they won't be back for days. The only ones left are the pups who haven't had blood yet…and us."
Ajé had a point. They were the only wolves experienced in battle in the Black Mesa clan and were meant to protect the clan. Although the sheriff was supposed to keep the peace, he was more focused on keeping the zootopians separate from the wolves. He didn't resolve the conflict that happened on the reservation.
Even though the wolves were of the same tribe, each of their clans were as different as the wolves in them. Ancient grudges have made them enemies, fighting over scarce resources in the desert made them suspicious, and with nowhere else to release their aggression, they take it out on each other. The clans briefly banded together when the soldiers launched their attacks on them, but not all of them fought as one and it led to their downfall.
There were certainly more warriors on the reservation than just the three young wolves, warriors with experience. But the sad truth was Ajé didn't trust them. Too much bad blood has been exposed and she already had a scuffle with one of her cousins from a different clan not too long ago. No, she would rather go into battle with warriors she knew. They would be leaving their clan vulnerable to these interior attacks, but if they get their homes back, if they had the lands and freedom of their fathers then maybe things will be better. Hopefully.
"Do we have to follow the soldiers?" Ku'ní asked.
"We will lead the soldiers," Ajé I said. "But we must do what they say."
Humenta sighed. "They won't listen to us or they will send us to our deaths."
"Maybe," Ajé I agreed. "But the officer, Connor, is allowing us to bring weapons, and I already spoke to your mother about calling the medicine men for the warpath songs."
Humenta eyes widen. "My mother had agreed to this?"
Ajé had the decency to look away in shame. "I told her you would."
Humenta frown at the deception. Truth be told, out of all the wolves, he was the most hesitant to join in the wars. He wasn't a coward by any means and he has proven himself, but Aje often caught him in peaceful meadows or star gazing. His eyes are always on the horizon. When they first came to the reservation he tried to find the positive side of things, he was always like that, but he actually seemed to like the solitude the reservation provided. He was probably the only wolf in the entire clan who doesn't thirst for blood.
"Well, you are not wrong, I wouldn't want you to lead the soldiers astray when you get them lost," he said with a smile. "I will come with you."
"Good," Ajé said in a weak voice, glad she won't be alone with the soldiers.
She turned to the youngest wolf. "Ku'ní," she started but was interrupted.
"I'll come," he said, the normal gleam of impatience shining in his eyes. "I will hunt Black Moon."
Hearing the young brash wolf say this caused Ajé to shiver a little. They were going to hunt Black Moon and his followers. Although she was glad her friends will be coming, she wasn't certain if it would be enough.
The medicine men chanted the songs of their ancestors and called to the sky father for assistance as the full moon revealed itself from the clouds and climbed to its zenith. This had to be the will of the father, why else would the soldiers talk to them on the night when the moon, the father's sister, shined her blessing on the wolves?
This gathering would have brought the whole clan together as they ate and drank to the good fortune of their warriors, but only the immediate families came, and even then it was under a shroud of fear. If the sheriff or soldiers came by and see what they were doing, they could be arrested. Or worse, shot.
Even if the soldiers had no idea what the ceremony was about, any gatherings were prohibited and were punishable. They were taking a big risk doing this in the light of the moon with a giant fire acting as a beacon.
However, as the flames flickered and the drumbeat and the chants continued, the sense of unease was forgotten as it felt like they were being taken back to more familiar and happier times. They felt a stirring of home. After nearly a year of living away from the homelands and being forbidden to practice their ways, just hearing what was once a monthly occurrence take place again was a comfort they didn't realize they needed.
The children wiggled and bounced on their seats, wanting to jump to their feet and dance to the rhythm. They felt it, the sense of excitement in the air and the possibility that the sky father was watching them filled them with awe and wonder. The rest of the family however were filled with anxiety and fear. The war song was meant to comfort them, but all they could think about was that their respected children would be going to battle with no one but strangers at their sides. Any hope of protection or their warriors bringing home glory was slim, let alone the promise of returning home.
For the three young wolves kneeling before the fire, however, they didn't think about the soldier's promise. They didn't think about the concern looks their families were sending or even the idea that the sky father was present and watching them. The three wolves sat side by side, eyes closed and heads bowed as they soaked in the songs and entered a deep meditated state.
When the war drums ceased and they returned home fro battle, warriors had to visit the medicine men and take part in healing ceremonies to rid them of the terrible things they have done. To get rid of the enemy's ghost that had followed them. To leave the bad things behind and to return to the clan whole and focused. They cannot walk on the beauty path if they still had one foot on the trail to war.
However, tonight wasn't a healing ceremony. It was a war ceremony. Instead of leaving behind a violent life, the three wolves were emptying their minds of peace. They were meditating on what it meant for them to walk in beauty and the tenants they were to uphold. Now they willed those tenants to the back of their minds and instead thought of war.
The coming battle requires focus, strength, bravery, speed, and intelligence. When Ajé felt she had prepared her mind, she reached out for the presence she felt around the fire and called to the father. Asked him for his wisdom, for his ferocity, and his guidance. May what she does be done for his honor. May the glory she brings back be for him and the clan. May he watch over her and her comrades as they ride into battle alongside their old enemies. May they find Black Moon. And kill him.
When Ajé opened her eyes they narrowed, pupils made into slits and her calm face finally broke into a nasty snarl as felt the battle rage enter her. She will not be hunting, she will be fighting. She will take part in a war for the first time in a long time. She will be standing for her clan and her family and she was determined not to fail them.
And most of all, she was filled with resolve. The songs, the chants, the whispers of home in a foreign land remind her of what was lost and what needed to be reclaimed. She will find Black Moon, tear out his throat herself if she must, and bring her family back to their lands.
Even if it's the last thing she does.
