"Those are words we have been hearing for a while, Running Wolf. When exactly is this 'soon' you continue to speak of?" The Chief asked firmly.
"Soon is just that, Chief, soon." Running Wolf replied immediately. Before the Chief could continue, he added, "Well, if that is done, perhaps we can move to what's next on the agenda."
"Perhaps the reason the pale face is still here?" Elder Kahona hissed.
Running Wolf looked straight at him and said, "I don't believe I have to remind you about the Chief's decision, Elder. She stays on the outskirts for as long as I deem it suitable or till the Chief deems it unacceptable. You are not the Chief and she is not a threat."
"How dare you?!" Elder Kahona jumped to his feet, fuming.
Running Wolf stared up at him with calm, yet fierce eyes. In a cool tone, he said, "I dare because you have no power to overturn the Chief's ruling, Elder."
"That is enough!" The Chief thundered and silence reigned. The lines on his brown face had deepened due to his frown. "I will not tolerate further discussion of the matter. I trust Running Wolf and so I let the pale face stay for as long ashe sees it fit. And to secure our people's safety, I limited her range of movement. She is not allowed in these parts. Now, unless you can bring me real proof of her being a threat, or the pale face breaking my ruling and reaching towards our settlement, this is the last we will discuss of the matter. That is my final word."
The elders and warriors present in the meeting bowed. Running Wolf lowered himself more, hiding his triumphant smile.
"Now, let's continue…"
Sometime later, as the men of the Northern Choctaw tribe were leaving out of the tent, the Chief called out,
"Running Wolf, stay behind."
Once the tent was clear of everyone but the Chief and Running Wolf, the Chief tilted his head toward the tent's entrance. Running Wolf immediately headed out of the tent. Once he was done scouting the surroundings for eavesdroppers, he returned to the Chief.
He shook his head and the Chief nodded at the seat to his side. Running Wolf settled into it. The Chief looked closely at Running Wolf, his eyes searching his face. The feathers attached to his headdress twitched as he darted his head around.
Satisfied, the Chief leaned back in his seat and gravely, he said, "You have to be careful with Kahona. He is a far more dangerous man than you think, Running Wolf."
"I know that," Running Wolf said quietly.
"Then why do you try to provoke him?"
"Because I am more dangerous than he is, Chief. He is incapable of hunting me down."
"Do you not think you are being overly confident?"
"It is better to have less thunder in the mouth and more lightning in the hand," Running Wolf said calmly.
The Chief tapped his chin thoughtfully, "The ApacheTribe's parable. You think Elder Kahona is barking like a toothless bulldog?"
"All he does for now is bark. He is probably in doubt, and keeping still waiting for the right moment to strike. Nonetheless, whenever he is ready to make his move, I will be there to show him the lightning in my hand."
"You have to be careful, Running Wolf."
"Same to you, Chief. You are not young anymore. You do know this, right?"
The Chief let a small smile show, "Then I shall go and become equals with all the ones who have left before us, like your father, my dearest friend."
Running Wolf slightly bowed in respect, "I shall leave now Chief."
"Is it because of the pale face you refuse to leave? For your vision quest?" The Chief asked as Running Wolf got to the tent's opening.
He froze for a moment before he turned around. Clearing his throat, he said, "What could you possibly mean, Chief?"
"When she was with child, you were already reluctant to leave. Now that she has had her child, you will be even more resistant towards going on your vision quest."
"You… know about her childbirth?" Running Wolf scratched his head and smiled sheepishly.
"I am the Chief of the Northern Choctaw tribe, Running Wolf. Nothing happens in this parts that I do not know about. I know all," the Chief announced with a smirk.
