Black Hand Vacation (Neiko Adventure Saga Book #3)

Chapter 5

A few days after the incident at Raven's fortress, the Indians held another meeting in regards to the prison break, but the spies had some interesting news to share with the chieftains. They were dressed in the Crackedskull armor instead of their buckskins. They shared with them what had gone on at the Crackedskull fortress a couple of days earlier.

"This don't make sense! Why they would break him out of prison and then try kill him?" asked Sigma, the chief of the Scraah Wareagles and Monchiska's father.

"They didn't know about the crimes against them when they busted him out, but then I guess their spies told them about all the dirt, and they also found out that he was the son of an Outsider. I imagine one of those things in itself in the Crackedskull tribe is punishable by death," said Wolf, one of the spies.

Neiko whistled. "Combine all that and you can see how they snapped. I always wondered why he had such a weird name for an Indian—Crackedskull—and was so light skinned, but now it all makes since. Did he make it?" she asked with a quizzical look.

"He made it out of the CrackedskullTerritory alive, but we don't know if he lived after that. No one knows anything more except that he was badly injured. He would have to seek medical attention, from what we could tell," replied Wolf.

"I don't know if Raven cares if he lived or not. I doubt it," said Xartna, one of the Falcons who served as council leader of the Desert Storm Falcons and Seven Tribes.

"Well, I wonder if he will come to his old house close to where Neiko's parents are living and come and get his stuff." Pike said.

"It's possible, but we have to wait and see if he does. After that, I think he'd skedaddle, because I don't think he'd want to cross paths with Raven and Bloodhawk again, or they would finish him," Monganata mused. "All of us would do the same. I am not certain how long it'll take for him to recover from his wounds." He rubbed his chin. Monganata was the chief of the Chang Battlehawk tribe. He was a very fit fifty-five year old man. He had two silvery gray stripes on the crown of his head while the rest was still black. He wore his hair pulled away from his seasoned face and had dark brown piercing eyes still full of youthful life.

"We will send spies to watch that house for the next few months," said Chief Tiger-eye, the chief of Neiko's tribe, the Desert Storm Falcons.

"Done, but what do you think will become of him after that?" asked Eagle Claw, the Grand High Mohican.

"I would guess he'd try to find his real family, because I think that's some unfinished business he has. I'd think he'd try to live a normal Outsider life or something," said Neiko. "I don't think we'll have to worry about him ever again—but then again, he could blame all this on me and try to get his revenge somehow."

People shook their heads at the notion that Francesco would blame the whole thing on her, but then again, the last time he blamed something on her he sent her to ancient Egypt as payback.

After a few moments of silence, Monganata said, "True," as he rubbed his chin in intense thought. His teardrop turquoise earrings swayed slightly, the feathers at the ends lightly moving.

"I've got something to share," said Monchiska, raising his.

"Go on, son," said Sigma.

"I didn't mention this at the last meeting, because it had such an abrupt end, but I saw a guy staking out Neiko's house when I stopped by the other day," said Monchiska.

People murmured among themselves.

"Was it a Crackedskull?" asked Eagle Claw, alarmed.

"I don't think so, but I couldn't tell, because he had a black hood on. He wasn't wearing armor or any night camo that Crackedskulls usually wear during night reconnaissance. I yelled at him and he ran off. I dunno, I had a very bad feelin' about this guy. I also feel like he might come back—he might even be an Outsider," said Monchiska with a troubled, furrowed brow.