Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

Chapter 15: Seeking Help

~Ratonhnhaké:ton~

These walls did not welcome me as they once did. My people didn't seem to either. I dismounted my steed and felt the dirt crunch under my feet. When I was a child, this feeling would welcome me. Now I was spoiled by all the fancy things white men had made. For the first few months I had lived with Achilles as a boy, I slept on the floor.I tried hard to cling to my old ways but it was no use.

Men gathered by the fire skinning their bounty. They whispered in each other's ears like clucking hens. The women cleaned out stains in the children's clothing, most going wide-eyed at the sight of me.

The children, those who had not been held off by their mothers, welcomed me with smiles, some missing teeth. A young boy in particular caught my attention. His hair was long, nearly past his shoulder blades. He was slightly chubbier around the cheeks and had a round belly. A toy bow was strapped across his chest.

I greeted him in our tongue, bringing myself to smile. I wasn't raised around many children. Leaving early in my childhood and walling myself off from mostly everyone in the time I did stay.

He smirked and gave a shy wave. A familiar stature scooped him from the ground and threw him in the air. Long braids swished when he caught the boy again. "Kanen'tó:kon." I sighed happily. The man grinned at me and sat the boy down on the ground once more. He ruffled his shaggy brown hair and sent him on his way.

"Ratonhnhaké:ton, welcome home." We exchanged a quick hand shake and smiles. The mood was far too serious to relax. He knew something was wrong. He sat a hand on my shoulder and narrowed his eyes. "What is wrong my friend?"

"Someone close to me has been taken." Kanen'tó:kon cocked his head to the side like a confused pup. He knew only a little of Alice. Only that she lived at the Homestead and helped out Achilles and I. He had no idea we were coupled not long ago. "She only has a few months before things take a turn for the worse."

"Who are you speaking of Ratonhnhaké:ton? Why only months and not days?" I myself did not know the answer to that question. Were they using her for the baby itself, or Alice? Kanen'tó:kon beckoned me to the long house where I knew the Clan Mother resided. She was sitting by the fire as usual, her face seemed to hold more wrinkles now.

"Iakotiiá:ner." I spoke gently. He eyes opened and the corners of her mouth turned upwards. I took her outstretched arms as welcoming and gently wrapped my arms around her frail body. She felt weak and brittle, old age and stress catching up with her.

"Clan Mother, Ratonhnhaké:ton has come to ask a favor." Kanen'tó:kon spoke and with a nod of my head he knew this was his cue to leave. Once his long braids were no longer visible, I turned back towards the older woman. We took a seat on opposite ends of the fire and stared at each other through the flames.

"Iakotiiá:ner, my-my lover has been taken. I have no clue where to find her, I came here to ask for a few scouts to help search. I wouldn't normally ask this of our people but-" she held up a withered hand and her eyes turned hard.

"Is this that white woman you are known to hang about with? Her father is one of the men you are hunting, correct?" I dropped my head and stared at my calloused hands. "Ratonhnhakég:ton, isn't your goal to protect our lands? If we are caught n such affairs we will have no warning before our remaining homes are burned to the ground."

I feared her answer, but I knew the truth. Still, I wasn't prepared for the empty feeling in my chest. "There is one more thing before I go." The woman leaned forward, hands on knees and narrowed her eyes. It felt as if she looked straight through me.

The wind stopped and all that could be heard was a distant chatter. "You have your mother's eyes. Eyes that always spoke the truth." She paused and I felt the air grow tense. "What is it you are not telling me?"

"She is....." I almost couldn't force myself to say it. Careless actions were beginning to pile up and cause more problems than were already present. "Pregnant." The Clan Mothers eyes widened and for a split second, I thought she stopped breathing.

"Boy, how could you be so careless?" Her voice was dripping with anger and sorrow. I dropped my eyes and balled my fist. "This girl is in danger, and with Child."

I took a deep breath and rubbed both hands down the front of my face. "I just need to help her. I need her home." The Clan Mother sighed.

"We do not have warriors to spare. We barely have enough men to keep guard." The older woman braved herself against her cane. "But she is family now. And the child growing inside of her is family too. While we cannot provide any protection, if you find her, bring her here and we will do everything to protect her."

I stood up rapidly and bowed my head. "I will be forever grateful." The woman smiled and settled back down in her resting spot before dismissing me with a smooth motion of her hand. I exited the long house to see Kanen'tó:kon leaning up against the long planks with a concerned look.

"What coward takes a pregnant woman hostage?" He grimaced. My friend unsheathed a dagger from his pouch and examined the blade. "I'll help track for you Ratonhnhaké:ton. Do you have any leads?" I crossed my arms over my chest and stood over the fire. The sun was going down and now would be the perfect time to strike without being noticed.

"Her father. Isaac Hale. If anyone knows where she is being hidden it will be him." I led Kanen'tó:kon to my horse. He mounted his own steed and looked at me.

"Congratulations on becoming a father. I know you will be a great one." He gave me a kind smile and patted me on the shoulder.

We were close. I'm so close to getting Alice back.

~Chapter End~

OMG SO ITS LITERALLY BEEN LIKE TWO YEARS SINCE I UPDATED THIS STORY. Ugh and I have writers block so bad but I have all intentions of keeping this story going! So if anyone has any suggestions feel free to message or comment about the story! I love you all!