CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE THE CIRCLE
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
THE CIRCLE
“Peace will come to the hearts of men
when they realize their oneness with the universe.”
Black Elk
8:00 PM
June 21st
Pine Ridge Reservation
They had significantly expanded the fire circle at the camp.
They had to. Gathered around it now were both the Hotamétaneo’o and Makhótaneo’o, the Nightmare Hunters, and five of Team Two – Odin.
Gideon, Margolin, Valkyrie, Shieldmaiden, and Runestone.
The rest of the team had left with the choppers.
Gideon promised to bring the others back to Fort Leonard Wood in a few days.
Jay stood, and Kodiak helped him climb onto a large log so everyone could see him.
“I would like to thank all of you for the parts each of you played in this,” Jay said, bowing his head respectfully at them all.
“I feel that not only were both the Hotamétaneo’o and Makhótaneo’o destined to come together, but the rest of you now join our sacred circle.
You are Oyáte. We are family. One people.
“Does that mean I get a tribal name?” asked Margolin.
“Yeah, Talks Much Shit,” added Runestone.
Everyone laughed. Margolin flipped Runestone off.
“You already have a tribal name,” Greyeagle said. “You are Loki of the Tribe of Odin. Bear that name with honor. Carry it as nobly as Clark carried Thunder-God.”
Margolin suddenly grew serious.
“I will, Top,” Margolin said, nodding solemnly.
Greyeagle had once been the First Sergeant, also known as Top Sergeant, of Team Two, but he’d retired as a Sergeant-Major. However, Margolin paid tribute to Greyeagle’s time with Team Odin by calling him Top, even though it was Margolin who replaced Greyeagle as First Sergeant of the team.
“There is another bit of business that I wish to share with you all,” Jay said.
Everyone’s attention focused back on the Elder of the group.
“Rose and I, with the help of Declan and Deputy Wisdom of the US Marshals Service,” Jay continued, “have done something we once considered impossible. Deputy Wisdom examined the Federal Files, and a new investigation was conducted. Kade, you are officially cleared of all charges.”
Everyone cheered, and Kade smiled sadly.
“In addition,” Jay said, “your name has been returned to the rolls of the Lakota. You are a full member of the tribe once more, and we can formally welcome you home. No cloud hanging over your head. No conditions. You are home, my grandson. It does my old heart good to say those words.”
Kade turned his head and wiped tears from his eyes, where he thought no one could see him. Greyeagle, Sarah, and Raven were right beside him and said nothing. Instead, they all put their hands on his arms and shoulders.
“Welcome home, brother,” Greyeagle said, smiling.
“And I am happy that you are back,” Sarah said. “I now know where the Twins get their mischievous streak from. But I know they can learn a great deal by having you in their lives.”
“Thank you, sister,” Kade said. “You have no idea how much that means to me.”
Mato Watakpe and Wambleeska slammed into Kade and knocked him out of his chair.
They giggled and tried to wrestle him to the ground.
Sarah saw Kade stiffen at first, but then began laughing as loudly as the boys, slowly letting them pin him to the ground.
The boys stole his leather hair thong, beaded with silver, turquoise, and eagle feathers.
They held it aloft and let out a loud war-hoop before running off to dance around the fire, displaying their trophy.
“I’m sorry about those two,” Sarah said, reaching to help Kade up.
“Don’t be sorry,” Kade said, grinning. “Those little warriors just blindsided me and stole my hair thong. It’s on now. No more uncle nice guy.”
“Bring it, old man,” called Wambleeska.
Kade opened his eyes wide in shock and sat back in his chair.
“What did he just call me?” Kade said, acting offended.
“Old,” Greyeagle said. “He called you old.”
“That makes you old too,” Kade countered.
“But I’ll always be younger than you,” Greyeagle replied, grinning.
Kade glowered at him.
“Using my own words against me, now?” Kade asked, grinning.
Black Fox got up and walked over to Greyeagle and Kade.
“Now, you know how it feels,” Black Fox said, chuckling.
“We never called you old,” Greyeagle said.
“Oh, yes we did, mister selective memory,” Kade replied, laughing. “We used to do it all the time because we knew it got him riled up.”
“Well now,” Black Fox said with a smile, “the moccasin is on the other foot now. I cannot wait for the boys to dance around you both, calling you old grey muzzle.”
“How would they know we called you that?” asked Kade.
“Because I intend to tell them,” Black Fox replied. “It is, as you say, on.”
Greyeagle stopped laughing and elbowed Kade, nodding to his left. Kade turned and watched as Jay resumed his seat and very surreptitiously took Rose by the hand.
“That old dog,” Kade said, grinning from ear to ear.
Raven slipped into Kade’s lap and kissed him on the cheek.
“Since you’re no longer in exile,” she said, “what does that mean for us?”
“It means I owe you a few dozen dates and about a thousand apologies,” Kade replied. “I took a lot out on you and the others.”
“We’ve seen you change,” Raven said. “We watched you become the man we all knew you could be. We stayed because we always knew he was in there. Somewhere.”
“Thank you,” Kade said, kissing her deeply as his long, dark hair cascaded down around their faces.
When they came up for air, Raven was flushed and smiling broadly.
“Does this mean we’re about to be sisters?” Sarah asked Raven.
“I hope so,” Raven replied.
“Me too,” Sarah said, smiling.
“So, does this mean you’ll be staying, brother?” asked Greyeagle.
“Yeah,” Kade said. “I would love to be here with all of you. Maybe even help you hunt the things that go bump in the night.”
“We’d like t’ be able t’ call on ye,” Declan added. “Ye know, if things get bad.”
“We’d be honored,” Greyeagle replied.
“Hell yeah we would,” Kade added, grinning.
“Same goes for us,” Gideon said, as he crouched down next to Greyeagle. “We’d love to know you and your people are still in the fight.”
“I figured General Dalton would want you to cut all ties with us since I left with Kodiak,” Greyeagle replied.
“Well, I won’t say that the two of you leaving didn’t hurt,” Gideon said, nodding, “but we get it. But just because you came here doesn’t mean we don’t still consider you part of Team Odin. I hope we always can.”
“Absolutely, Sar-Major,” Greyeagle said, shaking the older warrior’s hand.
“Outstanding,” Gideon said, smiling. “Because the Ouroboros Society is still out there. We’ll have to deal with them eventually.”
“We’re just a phone call away,” Greyeagle replied. “If I recall correctly, Mika and I have a date with Fenris. Clark met Jormungandr. The next round is ours.”
“Here’s hoping that it ends differently,” Gideon said solemnly.
“Agreed,” Greyeagle said.
“If you’re fighting Fenris,” Kade said, “then it won’t just be you and Mika, little brother. We’ll see what the big bad wolf thinks of a bone-crushing dog.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Gideon said. “Until then, keep doing what you’re doing. The world is a better place because of you and your pack.”
“We will,” Kade assured him, grinning.
“And I’ll be a gettin’ y’all badges and credentials,” Declan said. “That way ye won’t have t’ trouble with local cops ‘r overzealous game wardens.”
“Speaking of Game Wardens,” Kade said. “I meant to ask, I hope that David Walks Far is alright.”
“Yeah, about that,” Greyeagle said.
“What about it?” asked Kade.
“Why did you bite him?” asked Greyeagle.
Kade frowned for a moment before answering.
“He challenged me,” Kade said. “That wouldn’t bother me now, but at the time, I was a bit more likely to hit first and not bother to ask questions.”
“I remember,” Greyeagle said, rubbing his chin.
Kade shrugged.
“So, is he alright?” Kade asked after a moment.
“We’re going to have to bring him out here for a sweat,” Greyeagle replied. “He wants to join us.”
“He’s a good man,” Kade said. “I say bring him in.”
“Well, it’ll all depend on how he does in the sweat,” Greyeagle added. “If he can learn how to shift, he’ll be part of the pack. If he can’t, he’ll still make a good ally.”
“Then let’s teach him right,” Kade said, smiling.
“It looks like we’re all in good hands,” Gideon said, nodding. “Hotamétaneo’o and Makhótaneo’o, Team Odin, and the Nightmare Hunters. We’ll deal with whatever comes our way.”
“Together,” Greyeagle said.
“One tribe,” added Sarah.
“One people,” said Jay as he put his arms around Greyeagle and Kade.
“One family,” finished Kade.