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family, and his family is him; all that happens with one member relates to all in his circle.”
    “I will pray that only good lives within and comes from him.”
    “As will I, Dewdrops. Guard yourself and our son well on this sun.”
    As Chase observed his older brother’s approach and studied Wind Dancer’s resolved expression, he asked himself if the waiting was finally over and a decision about his fate had been reached…

Chapter
Four
    As they mounted and left camp, Wind Dancer told Chase he was taking him along while he scouted the nearby grassland area and perhaps hunted a deer or antelope for their evening meal. In reality and at his grandfather’s suggestion, this outing was a ploy to see if his brother attempted to escape, to abduct him for a hostage, or to slay him. He knew that braves, led by War Eagle, were trailing them in secret to recapture or thwart Cloud Chaser if he tried to flee or to harm him. The taste of this trick was bitter in Wind Dancer’s mouth, but he had to obey his shaman and chief, and he had to know the truth for himself. With each step his well-trained and alert animal took, he prayed nothing bad would happen.
    As they crossed a flower-scattered meadow and traveled close to a clear and winding stream, Chase said in the Lakota language, “Thank you, my brother, for it is good to be moving about and sitting upon my horse again. He seems well tended but in need of this ride as much as I am. It is strange and tiring to lie around for many days and do nothing.”
    Wind Dancer kept his keen gaze aimed ahead. “How do you still know Lakota so well when it has been so long since you spoke or heard it?”
    Chase smiled and explained, “During my return home, Ijourneyed with fur traders. One knew Lakota well and helped me remember it.”
    “Did he ask why you wished to learn our tongue?”
    “Yes, and I told him I planned to live and work in this area, so I should know how to speak with the people who dwelled here.”
    “Did he not think it strange you knew much of our tongue?”
    Chase was glad he had been given an opportunity to refresh himself on the Lakota verbal and sign languages. He understood how interpreters could make translation errors so easily—or intentionally—during parleys, and hoped he didn’t make serious mistakes during his talks with his family. “I told him I had lived here long ago and learned it in the past, but had forgotten many of the words and signs. It does not matter what I told him, for he fell from a mountain and was killed before we reached this area.”
    Following a lengthy silence, Chase asked, “Why was I left alone near camp for so many suns and moons? Was I being tested?”
    “Is that not what you told us to do?”
    Chase nodded. “Did I find victory or defeat?”
    “Which do you think you earned?” Wind Dancer asked.
    “I deserve victory, my brother. Did I earn it?”
    “If you did not, would you be riding with me on this sun?”
    Chase laughed and jested, “You answer each question with another question, my brother. I do not remember you doing so when we were boys.” With hopes of reminding Wind Dancer of old times and feelings, he said, “As children, you spoke to me with clear words and a strong spirit. Do you remember when Grandmother gave you and War Eagle the leather ponies? You told me: ‘Do not be sad, my brother, for you can play with mine. Grandmother lacked enough doeskin to make three.’ When Grandfather placed my brothers beside him and my sister upon his legs and told us stories or taught us many things about the Ancient Ones and our customs, you said, ‘Do not be sad, my brother, for you sit before him and can look into his face while he speaks.’ When our cousin threw rocks at me and called me bad names, you tended my injuries and said to tellno one, for he was jealous of me and I would show great courage and generosity if I held silent. You helped me make my medicine pouch and gave me a feather from the first bird you