Soaring Hawk sat once more inside the lodge of the old shaman. He had not been here since the day he had been told of the quest. He had been with Rides the Wind at other times, but never in his dwelling. He sat nervously, looking across the smoldering fire pit, trying to find a way to begin.
Rides the Wind sat waiting, a patient expression on his face. Once again, as so often in the past, Soaring Hawk thought him a handsome man, an ageless man.
“How can I help with what is troubling you?” he asked in his kindly tone.
Soaring Hawk took a deep breath. “My father is now chief,” the young man began.
Rides the Wind smiled and nodded, obviously pleased River Runs Deep had been elevated to that rank.
“And someday…um…someday I may be chief, too.”
“If the people approve, yes.”
“Of course, if
