Alice notes she has become wearied and is not paying attention. Thus when she trips on a rock, she would have landed on her face if not for the young red man, Mohican she corrects, tiredly. Catching her, he places her back on her feet and simply meets her eyes again. His grip gentle upon her arms. "Alright Miss?" he questions. Alice can't help the shiver that rushes over her at the sound of his voice. And not being able to find her own, she simply nods. He releases her and they resume their trek.

Again Alice is not prepared for the scene they find when they reach the cabin, upon nearing the structure the smell of burnt wood carries on the wind, and their guides bring them to a near halt, moving slowly towards the source. As Alice comes upon the scene she forces the rising bile down, though she can't stop the silent tears slip her down her face. She watches as her Mohican crouches over the body of a women, touching her gently on the shoulder before he is rising and heading towards the burnt cabin. Alice numbly follows her sister, stopping some distance away as the three men crouch and speak to each other softly. It is the hand of the older guide on her Mohican's head that clues Alice that they must have known the settlers well.

When Cora begins to rage against them for refusing to bury the bodies, Alice says nothing. Could Cora really not see, that they were not indifferent. Alice does not know the reason, but something is holding them back. Perhaps these people believed differently. Perhaps these settlers weren't Christian. Had Cora forgotten that once upon a time the Munro's herald from Ireland and most likely believed in the Tuath Dé. Hand in pocket, Alice offers a silent a Hail Mary over the bodies, regardless. Her way of honoring the dead. Walking over to Cora after the conversation with Nathaniel is over she takes Cora's arm to offer what physical comfort her sister will allow. Alice recalls Cora's comment about having never seen war waged on women and children and Alice wonders if Cora never heard the stories of the Crowns subjegcation of Scotland from the people it happened to. She remembers the sideways glances of some of the folks in Cill Tigerean. The mutters of "half-breed English mutt "thrown at her when she was out with Morie. Alice recalls the time they were stopped by men like her father, and how those "Red Coats" had hasseled Morie, calling her names, telling her their plans for her pretty body. The look of superiority and arrogance in their eyes. She remembers introducing herself as the daughter of Colonel Munro. The quieting down of the threats and jeers, but the looks remained. "Half-breed Scottish Mutt," claimed one soilder before leaving them shaken and alone. Alice shakes the melancholy memories away and tries to pay more attention to the land around them. Distract, distract.

And so on they march, until darkness has fallen, and the sounds of the forest have changed. Until there is naught but blackness as far as Alice can tell. And after speaking softly in Mohican to the others the eldest guide says "We stop here." Cora settles Alice next to a large oak tree and so she tries to rest. It is Cora moving away from her that brings Alice out of her sleepy stupor. Alice watches with heavy lidded eyes as Cora crawls towards the guide known as Nathaniel. She might have slipped back to sleep if it weren't for the sudden movement of Duncan away from her and the action of him preparing his rifle. Alice feels sudden panic grab her and she begins crawling towards her sister.

As she came along side of the young warrior known as Uncas, her Mohican, he grabs her, hand over her mouth and rolls her beneath him. Spiking a different level of fear with in her, silent tears slipping from her eyes. As the moments pass and his hands do not wander, she begins to relax by increments, the tears stop. She becomes more aware of their surroundings, realizing that others are approaching. Alice can hear the french conversation, but such a state as she is in, right now, she has no ability to translate it. Finally after what seems like a lifetime, Uncas removes his hand from her mouth and rolls off of her. Lying close to her, he turns bringing his mouth to her ear. "Forgive me Miss."

Alice nods feeling his lips against her ear. Taking a chance she breathes out in a voice fraught with fear, "Is it safe to move?" Uncas sits up and pulls Alice with him. "You should return to the base of the tree." Alice blinks but can not master her limbs to move. Uncas comes to a crouch and helps Alice return to the tree. "Don't worry Miss, they won't come here." "Why?" breathes Alice. Uncas studies her for a long time, and final points up. Alice peers above her and sees the wrapped bodies. Làrach tiodhlacaidh (burial ground), Alice quickly makes a sign of the cross, and whispers a prayer for forgiveness for disturbing these souls and for protection. Looking over at Uncas she notes he is watching her reaction.

"As long as no bean-nighe are sighted I'll be fine," she whispers. And being daring she reaches over and places her un-gloved hand on his wrist. "I am sorry about your friends." Uncas nods once, not wanting dwell on the Cameron's. Not now, now was not the time to mourn. Instead his thoughts focus on the word she said that he didn't know, been-night and what it means. But before he can ask, Cora has made her way back over and, Uncas knows their interlude is over.

All in the burial ground sleep in fits if at all. So by group consensus they begin the last bit of trek to Fort William Henry, before the sun has risen. As they move Duncan suddenly seems to recall that Alice exists, or perhaps now that Cora had rebuffed his protection he had decided Alice is in need. Alice allows his assistance because she is to tired to slight him it in a manner befitting an English lady. He prattles on about baths, how inappropriate. Alice only cares about one thing "I can't wait to see Papa." As they crest the last peak, the sounds of cannon fire and the light of fired cannons reaches their ears and eyes. And before them stretches a Loch, with a battle raging on the other side.

The man known as Chingachgook speaks softly to the two men, Alice now knows are his sons. With a few words the group is scrambling down hill. Alice spots the canoe, and she and Cora are deposited within and put to the water before she can even catch her breath. Alice can't help but wonder if the natives have beliefs regarding water spirits like her people have the Kelpies. Alice tucks her hand into her pocket and prays. The other hand grips the side of the canoe so near to Uncas' that they could be touching. As another volley of cannons go off, Alice wonders if they are all air falbh leis na sìthichean, for heading straight into the fray.

Gaelic and Lenape Vocabulary

Air falbh leis na sìthichean (away with the faeries)

Aon chois, an uairsin am fear eile (one foot, then the other)

Aholkwësit (beloved person-lenepe)

Hìtkwike kwëchkwëna (among the trees; burial)

Kwènishkwënayas (panther, mountain lion, cougar, puma)

Chan e leanabh a th 'annam (I am not a child)

Tha mi moiteil a bhith Albannach (I am proud to be Scottish)

Nuxa (Father)/ Nuxati (dear Father)

Kishux (sun; moon; month)

Neyo na kishux këshkinkwink (I see the moon in your eyes)

Òsòmi (certainly; oh yes)

Naxans (my older brother)

Naxisëmës -or- xàta (my younger brother/sibling/cousin)

Wètënëmao (accept it from him)

Tha mi a 'gealltainn leannain (I promise beloved)

Fàg slighe, mas urrainn dhut (Leave a trail, if you can)

Chan e, chan urrainn dhut a bhith agad (No, you can't have him)

Nichan (my child, daughter)