Erin only managed to relax for the briefest moment beside a fitfully slumbering Cora and Alice, before there came shouts and calls for them to get back upon their feet. She wasn't naïve enough to believe they would have been given long to rest, but Erin had hoped she'd find some time to speak with Cora and perhaps even explain her part and apologise to Alice, but it never came to be.

Now, as they continued on their walk, Erin could see the blond haired girl up ahead. She was bearing the weight of exhaustion well, or perhaps she had retreated too far into herself to be aware of her own body's needs anymore? Erin could understand that want only too well. If her mind had given her the option of blocking all the world out in this moment, Erin would have taken it. Instead, when she felt her want of will lagging, she fortified herself with the chant that all she had to do was wait, the heroes were coming, wait.

But Erin couldn't help the trepidation that perhaps Alice was already too far gone, the trauma she had experienced the true catalyst for the choices she made on those cliff tops. What if, in the novel, Uncas' demise was just the last little, tiny push Alice needed to take that one heartbeat of time to decide, turn and fall?

What if Alice Munro couldn't be saved?

What if Erin herself had now made any saving impossible? Giving the young woman only more reasons to make that climactic desperate choice? No more decisions made for her, no more control, no more silly little girl that needed to be led by the hand, just one... last... choice...

Erin shook herself inwardly, chastising her thoughts. Alice wasn't some slip of a thing with no will or want of life. She was her own person, with passions and desires and hopes. It wasn't her fault she had been sheltered by everyone around her. Hadn't Alice herself said she wanted more? She wanted to learn and understand and grow. Those weren't the words or actions of some weak willed girl who needed a saviour, but someone that strove for more in a world that was so unwilling to give anything to her freely.

But... Alice was also not someone that wanted to be captured and held, stifled and smothered by cruel hands. Perhaps what Alice did was, in a way, the bravest thing a woman like her could do in such heartless times? Times when who she truly was or what she wanted mattered so very little to those around her. Perhaps that one last choice was the only way Alice Munro had any choices at all...

Erin groaned lowly, her eyes following the steady pace of the young woman many feet ahead of her. Her golden hair a rare beauty in the drab, heat frazzled landscape, the flow of sun gilded strands emblazoning the world with light and colour. Erin knew with a dreadful certainty that she would never get time to explain these thoughts to Alice, never tell her how much her wants and choices mattered and how desperately Erin wanted her to live. Just like Uncas, she just wanted them to both live.

As the sun slowly crossed across the sky, they had walked for what felt like hours on end with few breaks. None had been given a chance for true sleep and Erin could only guess that there was a renewed urgency to their journey, to reach their goal before sunset.

Finally, in the distance, past the vast trees, there was a large clearing with a village nestled nearby a great mountain, the houses made of wood and thatch. With each step closer Erin could see the bustle of people going about their daily lives.

As the Huron party came into sight of the village's inhabitants, a great murmuring was sent up, eyes upon the newcomers, a tenseness that meant these men may not be fully welcomed here. Men, women and children lined the way as the party entered the bustle, a lively atmosphere growing as the villagers gawked at the battle hardened warriors and their hostages.

A group of young boys began to throw stones at Duncan, taking extra delight in hitting him squarely in the face or chest. An adult soon came to shoo them away, an angry look upon their faces and poor Duncan was finally left in peace. He looked exhausted, and Erin noticed his leg was bleeding again, the bandage quickly becoming a useless mass of soggy material, despite her best efforts.

She strained her neck slightly, trying to gain any view of Cora or Alice who walked a little ahead, but as had happened so many times, a hand came to her back, roughly shoving her forwards and denying full knowledge to her surroundings.

Erin's eyes were drawn just for a brief moment to a large bonfire, the flames slowly licking upwards to the sky and she quickly looked away, not wanting to take notice of what that sight truly signified, or who's fate now lay dangling only moments above a fiery death.

Ahead of them was an ornate wooden chair sat upon a raised platform, the seat covered in an array of fine pelts and furs. The four captives were guided to stand before it and all the party stilled, the warriors waiting with trepidation for what was to come next. The crowd thickened about them as villagers soon gathered, eager to see and hear what was happening.

Erin glanced at Cora and Alice, the relief at seeing their faces moving a heavy lump in her chest, her eyes asking silently if they were both alright after the relentless ordeal. Cora gave a small nod, but Alice's eyes remained upon the ground, seemingly in another world where none of this could touch her. Duncan was on Erin's other side and was so lagging and spent after the gruelling journey that he rested heavily against his wooden bonds, barely keeping his feet. Beyond him, off to the side, detached from them, was Magua, his proud haughty aura never wavering, his belief in his own justice absolute.

They stood for what felt a very long time, muscles and wills aching for respite, but Erin knew there would be none, not until this was over.

A hushed silence finally swept across everyone and all eyes went to the form of an ancient looking man being helped across the village by two women. He appeared very old, his long hair was speckled in white and the wrinkles etched upon his face told of a life well lived. He had many tattoos standing in stark contrast to his skin, the elaborate lines running from between his brows and up his forehead in delicate patterns. He wore an Elk skin blanket wrapped around his shoulders and it was painted with colourful symbols that Erin didn't know the meaning of, but she could feel the weight of what they embodied.

He finally was eased down into the chair and took a moment to get comfortable, as if unaware all gazes were watching and hanging upon each thing he did. Once he was settled his eyes studied all those about him with a sharp youthful intensity that did not match his years.

The atmosphere was heavy with anticipation, the silence only filled, in Erin's hearing, by the sound of her own heart pounding in her ears. Finally the Sachem's eyes settled upon Magua and he began to speak in Huron.

"The tomahawks of your men have become very red."

"Many of the English are dead, great Sachem." Magua's tone was formal. "I have brought four of my prisoners, to honour you. Two are the children of the white war chief, Grey Hair Munro. Who was under Magua's knife until our French Father betrayed us."

Erin felt a jolt at those words, as far as Magua was aware Colonel Munro still lived. If this was true then she had really, truly, changed things. She wanted to reach out and whisper words of comfort to her friends who could not understand what was being spoken, but dared not, the mood felt so heavy.

"Grey Hair Munro ran like a coward and saved himself, leaving his children behind." Magua bit out the words, and in his temper came forward and pushed Cora onto her knees. Duncan moved as if to disagree with this treatment but was easily brought back into line by one of Magua's men.

Erin felt a ripple as her thoughts were confirmed. Somewhere, Edmund Munro was alive and well, Magua had never obtained his prize of a still beating heart. Her eyes went to each sister, hoping her expression would give some reassurance, but neither woman looked her way. As Erin studied them with frantic eyes, it seemed the events were slowly trickling through Alice's mental barrier as her gaze slowly went from her sister's prone and defenceless kneeling form to Magua. She watched him with astute doleful eyes, as if observing a play she did not much enjoy, her gaze never leaving him. Something that could have been a faint, simmering resentment cloistered within her large expressive eyes, but Erin couldn't be sure.

"Magua's tomahawk is not nearly red enough!" Magua said through gritted teeth, and moved his arm in a violent gesture of annoyance, causing Alice to flinch just a little away, and her eye line fell back onto the ground, preventing Erin knowing any more.

The Sachem nodded in understanding, but not necessarily agreement. "Still you come here in victory."

Magua gave a small stiff nod, seemingly reluctant to admit this fact. "The earth was pale," Magua continued, his anger now masterfully contained, "our tomahawks were bright. Now they are dull from war and the Huron rich with the trophies of honour." His eyes drifted lazily over his captives a moment.

"Magua will sell the English officer to the French and the reward is my gift to you. I will sell the red hair," he gestured to Erin, "back to the English, her people will pay much, and I will gift this also to you, wise one." He paused, trying to read the older man's reaction. "The other women, children of the white war chief Munro, will burn in our fires so all can share in this victory." He reached out a cruel hand, pulling Cora to her feet like she was no more than a object, his manner so confident that it was clear he thought he was in control, he didn't even look at her and Erin felt her emotions rile.

He didn't care that neither Cora nor Alice were even in this land when he had suffered the loss of his family, or that neither daughter had the power or control to have had any part in what had happened to him. True innocents, and yet he would kill them for his own vain pride.

Erin knew she had to do something, she had to stop things going in the same direction as the novel, but she was unsure what she could do, how she could turn this tide, and her determination faltered. Her heart began to jump unpleasantly in her chest as panic tried its best to take a firm hold of her senses. If she did nothing, events could play out just as in the book, Cora condemned, Duncan taking her place and Alice taken away.

'Do something!' her mind cried desperately, and Erin felt sick. What could she do? She wasn't a warrior or even someone with great wit or cunning. 'I have no power here," she argued back at herself, "noth-"

She did have one thing, one thing she could wield, and she would just have brandish is as best she could. She had to take this leap of faith and believe in herself. It was not the most convincing prospect, but...

The Sachem looked away, considering the words he had just been offered. Erin's eyes widened, her breathing coming fast, she knew it was now or never. She tried to pull herself up straighter, her spine like a rod, propping up her foolish ideas. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, the words spilling from her before she had reopened them.

"Great Sachem, I implore you in your great wisdom to hear me!"

She slowly opened her eyes. A hush had fallen about them, Magua looked a little slack-jawed at her, and the Sachem had leaned over towards her in his seat.

"How do you speak their language?" Duncan asked, aghast and fully bewildered at what this might mean.

Erin ignored him, her eyes never leaving the Sachem's now, a steady direct gaze, as she continued to speak in Huron.

"I am a lowly woman, your ears are of more worth than my words, but I ask you, hear me now!"

The old man gestured with a gentle flourish of his hand for her to continue, his eyes gleaming with a deep curiosity. Erin could see out of the corner of her gaze, Magua swaying slightly in agitation, and she pushed on.

"Magua is a great warrior, it is true, but his heart is black with hatred and it will kill him soon. I have seen this, and if you stand by Magua, you too will all fall." Erin raised her arms and gestured with her bound hands to the whole village.

A few whispers from the villagers but silence quickly fell, awaiting the elder's response with trepidation.

The Sachem considered what had been said with a long slow glance up and down Erin's form, as if measuring her in some way. "How do you know this?"

"I am a seer."

A small gasp was emitted from the crowd. Duncan, Cora and Alice reacted to the sound, confusion upon their faces.

"I can see the future."

The elder smiled a little, his eyes glinting, clearly not believing her. "You know our tongue. This is strange. But you say you see the future, what future do you see, Red Hair?"

"Death and suffering," Erin said, with a confidence she valiantly tried to feel. "I see the English white war chief Munro coming here and killing everyone if his children are put to the flame."

The Sachem chuckled. "These are strong words... or threats, perhaps?"

"Not threats. If the Munro children die, if any prisoners die today, so will all. I have seen it." She paused, knowing her words were being heard by everyone gathered there who could understand. "Revenge only begets revenge, death begets death." She couldn't stop, she had to plough onwards with another wisp of a plan, using her lies now for what she hoped was the greater good, instead of her own petty goals.

"You hold wisdom in what you speak, but I do not know if you hold any truth. How do you prove your words, Red Hair?"

Erin's mind raced.

'Idiot!' her mind scolded. 'Say anything! Think, the novel, what comes next?'

She closed her eyes, reaching into her thoughts and pulling out mere scraps she hoped would be enough to cover her naked plan. Very calmly she began to speak once more. "In a short time, a man will come into the village, a white man, but not a white man, his name is Nathaniel Poe, but you will know him as Long Rifle of the Mohican people. He will plead for the lives of these captives, and he will ask you to see the truth of what is in Magua's heart." Erin held the Sachem's gaze, knowing she was taking a stupid chance, but running head first into it all anyway.

The Sachem again contemplated what he was being told in thoughtful silence.

Erin knew this wasn't enough. "He will be attacked by three warriors of this village, one will push him to the ground, one will cut him, and the third will club him and cause him to fall, but this will not stop him."

Now, Erin could see she had his full attention, for these things could not have been easily pre-planned.

"You know I speak the truth, wise one. You know this in your heart. Magua's way is not the right way for your people. Magua will not listen to your wisdom, he will spit on you and call you slaves. The only slave is Magua, who serves his own black heart!" She pushed out the words, her voice growing, and all ears heard her declaration and degradation of Magua.

Suddenly Magua stepped forward and she was beaten down upon her knees with several stinging slaps to her face. Alice's bound hands reached for her sister's arm in need of comfort, while Cora and Duncan both made small noises of fretful protest, but neither dared to intervene with their guards still stood so close by.

"Silence, dog!" Magua spat, but the Sachem held up a brusque hand, demanding he stop. With some reluctance Magua stepped away, leaving Erin breathing heavily into the dirt.

Slowly Erin raised her head, her cheeks burning and red from the onslaught, eyes and nose watering, but she knew she had to maintain her nerve or else all could be lost. "I speak the truth! Hear me!"

"This woman is full of lies, wise one! She is a snake sent to divide us! We should burn her now and let her tongue pay the price for her deceit." Magua removed his knife from its sheath, showing the Sachem exactly what he meant, he wanted to cut out her tongue before burning her alive. He took a step forward, hand ready to clutch hold of Erin and drag her to him, and in that instant Erin's eyes fixated on the shining weapon. Long and thin and sharp, the handle skilfully carved from dark wood into the shape of a bear's head, the jaws open and ready to devour. How many lives had that blade snatched away? Erin cringed back.

The Sachem seemed deaf to Magua's blustering, his eyes still on Erin, but his hand flicked a gesture at Magua, telling him to not advance, and Magua stilled, his lips curling down in great distaste.

"If what you say is true, I will listen to Long Rifle and, maybe, I will listen to you," the Sachem said, eyes boring into her, and he relaxed back into his seat, his decision made. "If you are not true, Red Hair, you will go into the flames." He casually gestured beyond them with a gnarled finger, to where Erin knew that large open bonfire greedily burned. She felt his words like a kick to her stomach, but gave a determined nod in reply.

A silence fell, the tension only broken by the murmurings of those around them at what had just occurred. The wait began, all eyes upon the distant entrance of the village.

"What did you tell them?" Duncan asked softly, his eyes wide.

"The truth... mostly." Erin shrugged, trying to play off her own crawling fear. She forced herself to stand up, fighting back against the pain flaring in her skin, and she wiped at her nose as it continued to run.

'Dear God' her mind flared. 'Erin, this is it! You are going to end up dead!'

If anything was different from the book now, she would pay for it with her life.

'Stupid!' her mind scolded, and Erin agreed, it was stupid. It was a foolish gamble, but it was the only way she could find to try and save everyone. If it cost her own life, in this moment, her impulsive bravery assured her, she could endure it.

A cry was thrown up and all attention went to the commotion, giving Erin no more time to panic. Walking into the village was Nathaniel, his back straight and head held high, his Wampum belt cradled in one hand in a symbol of peace and honour, attesting to his right to speak and be heard. Erin had to bite back the urge to whimper at what could now be her deliverance or doom.

She heard Cora let out a breath of relief. Nathaniel looked nearly as tired as they all did, he had clearly survived the fall and rapids but had not come away unscathed, he was bruised and bloody with a slight limp to his gait.

It seemed everyone had quietened to stop and watch. Erin wrenched her eyes from the scene, her gaze flying frantically to the trees and rocks about them, where she knew watchful eyes were upon them. Uncas and Chingachgook were hidden somewhere she could not fathom in all the dense bush around them. Knowing that they were indeed there was a small reprieve and she turned back to Nathaniel, knowing there could still be a chance to change everything, if Uncas kept his head, and if Alice did not go up to those cliffs.

A crowd was gathering behind Nathaniel. Men and women were shouting unfriendly words at him, calling him a dog, telling him to get out, that he was not welcome, but he did not stop his steady stride towards them.

A shrill cry was sent up and suddenly Nathaniel was attacked, a young warrior pushing against his chest in anger, the force was hard enough to send Nathaniel onto the ground, but he recovered and got to his feet, continuing his slow walk towards the raised dais. Another man stood in his way and sliced his blade harshly across Nathaniel's chest. Nathaniel took the punishment with no complaints, patiently awaiting his chance to walk forward to his set destination.

Erin bobbed up and down unconsciously upon the balls of her feet, hands clutched to her breast, panic still threatening in her chest to bubble up and choke her.

It took Erin until she was an adult to fully understand just what exactly was happening here in the book, historical and novel, why Nathaniel was targeted with such fury and hatred. Now stood here, amongst a fraught people, she understood more than any book or prior knowledge could tell her. He was walking into a village who had suffered nothing but harm at the hands of the French and English. Here was this man who looked like any other enemy, dressed as if one of their own, coming into their village and asking them to hear his plea for the hostages won rightfully in battle.

They were testing him and his convictions, a gauntlet to reach the ear of the Sachem.

One man ran forward, his weapon held high, and clubbed Nathaniel with a hard blow to the head, and Nathaniel dropped to the ground like a stone. Cora gasped and Erin stopped mid-bob, feeling both elated and distraught. Nathaniel took much longer to recover this time and he rose unsteadily to his feet, uncertain in his steps for a short moment, blood soaking into his shirt from a fresh wound at the base of his skull. Dazed but determined, his feet carried him forward, his hand still holding up the Wampum.

An old woman had abandoned her hold on a small child, her face full of sorrowful hatred and she began scolding him angrily, a last ditch effort to reprimand him. She pointed her finger firmly back towards the way he had come, her words asking him what right he had to be here? How could he show his face and not feel shame? He was not welcome!

Nathaniel ignored all around him, his eyes only upon where he knew Cora was.

Three attackers, all as Erin said. She closed her eyes in relief, forcing back the sudden sting of tears, taking a moment to compose herself, and then turned back to the Sachem, trying her hardest to not look too self satisfied. He was surprisingly smiling, as if she had amused him.

The Sachem held up a hand and all scuffling stopped. Nathaniel was allowed to come forward and make his case.

All the captives awaited what would now come, with bated breath.

/

A/N

Hello. Another Friday another small cliff hanger.

Has Erin bought them all time? Will the Sachem listen and more importantly what will his degree be after these changes? What will Uncas do? Was Erin smart in her choices or has she just opened up a whole new can of worms? Let's find out, next week. I hope I can keep you all guessing and deliver a few emotional shocks and surprises along the way.

Thank you for giving your time to this story, all your reviews are a joy to read so I once again extend my deep thanks to those that are reviewing and keeping me going and invested in this story. It's been very fun re-discovering it with you.