Two Brothers continuation 4

Two days later they topped a small rise overlooking a very large encampment surrounded by earth on some sides and trees on others. This was a very good wintering spot as it would provide shelter from the wind and blowing snow. Without any kind of warning Red Eagle shot ahead and rode directly to a particular lodge dismounting on his own and asking to be let in. An older woman appeared excited to see him and invited him in. Fast Elk didn't really know what to think of this but turned his horse towards the lodge where his brother was.

"do you know who this woman is?" His uncle asked meaning the woman that Red Eagle had sought out.

"I do not see like my brother and I have never been among the Oglala"

Fast Elk soon stopped his horse next to Red Eagle's and jumped down peering inside the lodge where Red Eagle was sitting and eating a stew.

"come in" the old woman motioned clearly happy to see him too. She handed him a buffalo horn filled with the stew and directed him to sit down. They were soon joined by their uncle and the old man. That was when Red Eagle finally seemed to snap out of whatever trance he'd been in since the beginning of the journey here.

"this woman is our grandmother" He spoke to Fast Elk as though they had been here all along. Something had changed in his brother and he was almost certain that if he'd tried to leave right now Red Eagle would be reluctant.

"this man is your grandfather" their uncle announced indicating the old man that had been with them "he is a healer but is becoming old, there are things Red Eagle will need to learn"

Fast Elk's heart dropped causing a sick feeling to settle in his stomach. Their uncle hadn't been thinking about what he wanted but what their people needed. He couldn't take Red Eagle from here and he would not leave his brother.

Moments later a commotion arose outside and Fast Elk knew what he had to do. He left the lodge walking directly over to Red Hand and the other men who had ridden in after them.

"We are staying here" he announced refusing to let the tears that threatened to overwhelm him surface

Shock registered on Red Hands face "what did they do?"

"Red Eagle will learn to be a healer"

"and you will stay?" Red Hand asked knowing the answer before Fast Elk spoke

"I will not leave my brother"

Red Hand did not like this but Fast Elk was old enough to decide what he wanted to do. Breaking the news to their mother would be the most difficult thing of all. They were all she had.

"come see her in the summer"

Fast Elk looked up at the man who had been a very good friend and a mentor for the past year "we will"

Red hand turned and rode away followed by the men who had come with him. Fast Elk turned away so that he would not have to watch them but a heaviness remained in his heart. He was a stranger among these people and would have much to prove over the winter. Things that the Brule already knew he could do. He would have to start by making new arrows and obtaining a horse somehow.

"the mare is yours" His uncle said coming to stand next to him.

Without a word Fast Elk mounted the white mare that he'd ridden in on and headed for the forest. He was certain that had he been close enough to hear, his uncle would have said not to go very far. After all that is what got them in trouble in the first place.

End......