The chief stepped into the circle of people who had gathered and Snake stood next to Brazen at the front of the horses.
"We want safe passage to Dakota." Snake's voice was firm but almost friendly. Brazen just watched trying to make out what the next move would be.
"We've brought horses." Plissken held up the reins of the USPF horses and the chief seemed impressed. Brazen took that as a good sign. Of course being as out numbered as they were she wondered what was stopping them from just taking them. Another man had joined the chief and Brazen noted that they had a similar appearance, father and son or brothers maybe. She watched them talk noticing they were staring at her. Snake had picked up on it too and she watched his flat expression turn to a scowl. Whatever was going on between the two he obviously didn't like. The talking stopped and Snake edged closer to her unsnapping the strap on his holster. He was really nervous.
Some of the nearby Indians started touching Brazen's shoulder and arms squeezing as if testing them. She shoved them away but they came back. The second time they touched her she heard a growl. Looking up she noticed he was staring at the scene with a look Brazen could only imagine as possessive. It reminded her of how one might glare at a guest for rummaging through things at your house. The Indians seemed to give way to the gaze and silence returned again.
"We want the girl too." It was the man with the chief who made the demand. Brazen stiffened but she heard Snake's teeth grinding together. A long silence passed and no one moved. Brazen was watching everyone but Plissken it seemed was intent on glaring a hole right through the man next to the chief.
"The horses and I'll fight you for her." Snake sounded as if he was ready to gun down the whole place but Brazen wasn't so happy.
"Snake." She had to protest. What if he lost?
Snake shook his head at her. "I've got an idea." He whispered to her while they both watched the two men across from them talk over the offer.
"But…" Brazen felt like crying for some reason. She couldn't tell if it was fear, abandonment or something completely different. When it came down to it she really wasn't happy about the situation they were in. She'd rather go back and fight Malloy. At least with them she knew the score but here she didn't know the rules. The safest assumption was that there were none. Finally, they broke the debate and the chief held up his hand to quiet the crowd that seemed to have grown.
"We accept your offer. The horses for free passage through our territories and a fight for a trophy."
Trophy? Brazen glanced at Snake feeling hopeless but he was already out of his coat and set on fighting. Susan found herself staring at the man who was challenging Plissken. He was taller and younger though he didn't seem to be as physically built as Snake. It still didn't seem like a good idea. She felt the gun belt shoved in her hands and looked down at it for a moment before she actually took it from his hands.
"Trust me." He whispered with a cocky smile before stepping toward his opponent. The Indian had pulled off his shirt exposing scars and recent wounds. This man was used to fighting. Plissken paused looking him over and the chief nodded. For some reason whatever was happening brought a big smile from Snake. He pulled his shirt off and tossed it in Brazen's direction among the gasps and shocked stares of those in front of him.
"It's Snake." "I thought he was dead." Seemed to be the chorus. His adversary was wide-eyed gazing at the big black snake and walking backwards. Snake must have a worse reputation out here then on the west coast. It was the only reason she could deduce for this reaction. Plissken kept on him, pushing him right back into the crowd. His own people shoved him back toward Plissken who side stepped and turned waiting for the attack. Brazen saw the tomahawk come out as the Indian turned. She wanted to cry out and warn Snake but her mouth felt dry and she couldn't find her voice.
The Indian came around full swing. Snake dodged the first and when the second came he caught the ax handle pushed it to the side and slugged the Indian square in the jaw. He sputtered blood and got angry. Plissken was waiting. The second attack was nearly as futile as the first. Snake dodged and slugged him again but this time the Indian caught his wrist. There was a struggle but it was Plissken who got pulled down. Brazen was frantic. Snake couldn't lose.
Snake hit the frozen ground hard. It took his wind and he gasped looking up at the Indian. There was no time to waste. He kicked his shin crumpling him to the ground. Plissken rolled and got up on his hands and knees. He pushed his body to obey and was soon on his feet again but so was his opponent. Plissken saw the tomahawk on the ground and saw his challenger dive for it. Snake kicked him as he went through the air contacting him solidly just below the ribs.
The Indian fell and Plissken made for the ax snatching it from his reach. Plissken kicked him again while he was down and kept kicking him until he heard the mumbled relent. Snake looked up to the chief waiting for an acceptance of his victory. The chief nodded and Snake dropped the ax to rejoin Brazen. It had started to snow while they fought but Snake couldn't feel it. The fight had got his blood pumping and he was actually sweating in the winter cold.
Brazen still had a worried expression as Snake took his guns back and strapped them on. Another man was moving in on them from across the circle. Brazen watched Snake wondering how many he could fight before he'd lose. She didn't want to think about it.
Plissken had seen the man approach and he was within reach the revolver was out and in his face.
"You want a piece motherfucker." Snake stared him down from behind the cocked pistol. This challenger backed away presumably learning his lesson from the folly of the first. Slowly, Snake holstered the revolver watching for more aggressors. None came.
"Don't worry baby. I don't like to share." Snake chuckled hanging his shirt off the pummel of his revolver. Susan shot him a look of death and he smiled watching the Indian women approach.
"What are they going to do?"
Snake turned his head so they could braid the feather into the left side.
"This is our pass." He noticed Brazen was staring down the woman who was trying to get close to her. "Let them do it."
Brazen watched the woman with the feathers in her hands trying to understand what Snake meant. She peeled her attention from the woman and nearly laughed when she saw Plissken. He was smiling at her with this cascade of white feathers hanging from his hair on the left side just behind the patch. It was so unlike Plissken but it didn't look half bad. Nodding she turned her head for the woman to braid the feathers in.
"What do these mean?" Brazen's curiosity came back now that things were less tense.
"White feathers, guests and the bead colors is the tribe." Snake was focused on something behind them so intently Brazen turned to see. The horse had white feathers in its hair now, feathers hanging from the bridle and saddle but it was the paint they were putting on its hind legs that was funny. The silhouette of a cobra in white on the black fur. Brazen heard Snake chuckle before the voice interrupted.
"You will join us for dinner?" It was the chief who had come to speak with them. Snake nodded and Brazen suspected it was an act of diplomacy and not the desire to stick around with a gang.