CHAPTER TWENTY DARKNESS ON PINE RIDGE
CHAPTER TWENTY
DARKNESS ON PINE RIDGE
"The old Lakota was wise.
He knew that man's heart
away from nature becomes hard."Luther Standing Bear
6:00 AM
June 19th
Pine Ridge Reservation
They all gathered by the fire for breakfast as the sun was cresting the eastern horizon.
For the most part, they had recovered from fighting the Ma’êstse-hóhkeso.
Kade hadn’t spoken much since the fight, and Greyeagle knew not to push him.
Kade was deep in thought about everything that had happened.
Greyeagle just hoped he realized that this was the path he was meant to walk.
Greyeagle was surprised to see that everyone was helping with breakfast, Hotamétaneo’o and Makhótaneo’o alike.
Tala was sitting beside Kodiak. He peeled the potatoes for the hash browns, and Tala washed and prepared them for cooking.
Once they were rinsed and patted dry, Tala handed them off to Mason, who was on the big cast iron skillet turning raw potatoes into hash brown casserole, thick with cheese, chunks of bacon, sour cream, and jalapenos.
Kade finished grating the cheese and handed the bowl to Sarah, then quietly took a seat. Greyeagle saw the look on his face and poured two cups of coffee, then took a seat beside him.
“Coffee?” Greyeagle asked, holding out the cup.
Kade took it.
“Grandfather’s recipe?” Kade asked, glancing at Greyeagle out of the corner of his eye.
“Do you think he’d let anyone else make the coffee?” Greyeagle countered.
“Good point,” Kade said, nodding. “Pilámaye.”
“Ta?yá? yahí,” Greyeagle replied, taking a sip from his cup. “You’re welcome.”
Kade looked around at the group preparing a meal together.
“You know,” Kade said, “just a few days ago, we were enemies.”
“Your words, not mine,” Greyeagle replied. “I didn’t even know you were alive.”
“You knew after I punched you,” Kade said, taking a sip.
“I was afraid we’d have to stop you,” Greyeagle said, “but I hoped that we could find a way to avoid it. Ask anyone here. They’ll tell you.”
“Oh, I believe you,” Kade said. “Funny. A few days ago, I never would’ve believed it, though.”
“What changed?” asked Greyeagle.
“Well, I can’t say it was any one thing,” Kade replied. “It didn’t happen all at once. I know this, though. I never would’ve even considered using the hunter’s dance to stop them before. I would have attacked until there wasn’t anything left to fight.”
“And we both know how that would’ve ended,” Greyeagle said softly.
“Yeah, we can’t beat the Ma’êstse-hóhkeso,” Kade said. “Not that way.”
“But you found a way,” Greyeagle said.
“No, I found a way to stall them,” Kade countered. “We didn’t defeat them.”
“No, but it was still a win,” Greyeagle replied. “Oil rigs are insured and can be rebuilt. Those lives could never be replaced. Especially not to their families.”
“And that,” Kade said. “A week ago, I wouldn’t have cared. Not really. Not unless they were Lakota. Or any other tribe, for that matter.”
“Some would call that growth, brother,” Greyeagle said.
“And some would say I’ve gone soft,” Kade replied.
“Not any of us here, I assure you,” Greyeagle said. “And not anyone whose opinion you should value. The only ones that matter are yours and the people who love you. Beyond that, it doesn’t matter what they think.”
“What do they think?” Kade asked, gesturing at the group.
Greyeagle started to ask which pack, but stopped himself. He knew that still dividing them by pack was counterproductive. He wanted Kade to see them as one pack, not two groups who happened to be together. So, instead, he said something else entirely.
“They’re family,” Greyeagle said. “I can’t say what each of them is thinking, but I, for one, am proud of you.”
“Man, I really did hit you too hard,” Kade said, grinning. “Didn’t I?”
“I will admit,” Greyeagle said, “you hit like a jackhammer. I’ve fought vampires that were practically gods on Earth and never got my chimes rang like that. But it’s true. I’m proud of you. So, deal with it, asshole.”
Kade smirked and snorted, nearly spilling his coffee.
“Dick,” Kade said. “But proud of me? Look at what you’ve done here. Not only did you do all those amazing things in the military and as a cop, but now you brought this group together and made your own tribe. That’s impressive.”
“You did the same thing,” Greyeagle countered.
“Built a tribe. Now that they’re coming together, we’re discovering that we’re not only stronger together, but we’re meant to be together.
Look at them. Despite not knowing each other a week ago, they’re preparing a morning meal much like our ancestors did for generations, as one community.
And I can’t take credit for that. It took both of us to make that happen. ”
Kade frowned but didn’t argue. He didn’t concede the point either, which told Greyeagle Kade was thinking it through and evaluating the claim against what he’d experienced. Greyeagle was confident he’d reach the right conclusion and realize what they’d achieved here.
“Food’s ready!” called Sarah. “Come fix your plates.”
Kade downed the rest of his coffee, then headed for the line where everyone was piling on the food. When he got to the table, Sarah smiled at him.
“Eggs?” she asked, picking up the big serving spoon.
“Did he help?” Kade said, jerking his thumb at Greyeagle.
“Not even a little,” Sarah replied, grinning. “These should be shell-free.”
“Then yes,” Kade said, returning the grin. “I would love some eggs.”
Next, Kade picked up a large wooden bowl of oatmeal. He could tell by the smell that it had butter, honey, and raisins. Greyeagle passed by without taking a bowl.
“You don’t want to try my oatmeal?” asked Raven.
“No, thank you,” Greyeagle said. “I would love some if it weren’t for the raisins. I don’t eat raisins.”
“Oh, for the love of God, tell me you’re not still freaked out by that,” Kade said, turning to face him.
“I’m not freaked out,” Greyeagle replied. “Just justifiably cautious.”
“Dude, we were twelve,” Kade said, chuckling. “You’ve got to let that go. They’re just raisins. I promise.”
“That’s what you said when we were twelve,” Greyeagle countered.
“Dude, I’m sorry,” Kade said. “I thought it was funny. In retrospect, maybe I should have told you they were flies before you ate the whole bowl, but I couldn’t quit laughing.”
Greyeagle grumbled for a moment before he, too, started laughing.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” Greyeagle said. “That was a long time ago. Yes, Raven. I’d be delighted to try the oatmeal.”
“Bzzzz bzzzz bzzzz,” Kade said. “Enjoy that extra shot of protein.”
Greyeagle started to put the bowl back down when everyone around them broke out laughing.
“Dick,” Greyeagle said, then palmed the bowl.
Sarah had to turn her head so he wouldn’t see her laughing.
Mika was doubled over at the waist. The Mohawk Twins had taken up the buzzing sound and were mimicking flight around the table.
Kodiak wasn’t laughing out loud, but they could see his massive shoulders shaking as he fought to keep from guffawing.
Even Jay, their grandfather, began laughing.
“You too, grandfather?” asked Greyeagle, shaking his head.
“Hey, who do you think helped me catch all those flies?” Kade asked.
Kodiak spat coffee into the fire and roared with laughter. The Makhótaneo’o hesitated, unsure if they were allowed to join in until Kade put his hand on Greyeagle’s shoulder and wiped tears from his eyes.
“Seriously, dude,” Kade said. “I’d give anything to go back in time to get a picture of that look on your face. We’d have to change your name to Greeneagle.”
“You called me that for a month,” Greyeagle replied, shaking his head.
Then even the Makhótaneo’o were laughing. Both at the joke and in relief. Most of them had never seen this side of Kade before. As they joined in the much-needed fellowship through laughter, more of the walls came down. Even they felt like this group was becoming more than it had been before.
Greyeagle finished filling his plate and sat down next to the fire. Kade sat a few feet away, and Greyeagle stared into the bowl of oatmeal like he was expecting the raisins to fly off.
“Seriously?” Kade said, then shoved a spoon into Greyeagle’s bowl and took a big bite. “See, no flies.”
Sarah slipped in beside Greyeagle and placed her hand on his leg. He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.
“Enjoying your flies?” she asked innocently.
“This won’t go away anytime soon, will it?” asked Greyeagle.
“No, not likely,” Sarah replied, grinning.
“Great,” Greyeagle said, shaking his head, then taking a bite of his eggs.
“Yeah, I might make t-shirts,” Mika said, grinning as he slid into his chair.
“Put us down for one each,” Robert Alok said, pointing at the other Mohawk Twin, Richard Akaash.
The sound of approaching vehicles cut off the reverie as everyone looked down the road. Three large trucks pulled in and parked. Two of them were pulling extended horse trailers.
“Looks like Declan’s back with the others,” Greyeagle said, silently grateful for the change of subject. “The Nightmare Hunters have arrived.”
“The who?” asked Kade.
“You’ll see in a minute,” Greyeagle replied. “Declan’s team.”
“Are they as old as he is?” asked Raven.
“Most of them are,” Greyeagle replied. “A couple aren’t.”
“Brother, you certainly move in some interesting circles,” Kade said, shaking his head. “How many groups like that are out there?”
“More than you realize,” Greyeagle replied. “Far more.”
“When this is all over,” Kade said, putting his hand on Greyeagle’s shoulder, “I want to hear all about it.”
“I’ll tell you what I know,” Greyeagle replied, “but even I don’t know the full scope of things.”
“Then who does?” asked Kade.
“Honestly, I don’t think anyone has the full picture,” Greyeagle replied, “but I can get information from most of them when we need it.”
“I bet that comes in handy,” Kade said.
“From time to time,” Greyeagle replied.
The group of Nightmare Hunters all approached. Greyeagle shook all of their hands, then introduced them to Kade and the others.