Running Wolf chuckled. He shook his head and said, "Chito told you."
"Yes he did," the Chief nodded. "How is the mother and baby?"
Running Wolf smiled affectionately as he said, "They areboth well, Chief, very well."
"I see… you seem quite happy about it."
"What?" Running Wolf who had been engrossed in the thought of Jessica and Elaina looked up in surprise.
"Oh nothing," the chief smiled mischievously. His smile fell and he said, "Chito also told me about your guilt. The dead do not blame you for anything, Running Wolf."
"How can you be so sure? Did the Great Spirit tell you that?"
The Chief smiled and he said, "Listen to me, Running Wolf. This is what I can tell you. Hold on to what is good, even if it's a handful of earth. Hold on to what you believe, even if it's a tree that stands by itself. Hold on to what you must do, even if it's a long way from here. Hold on to your life, even if it's easier to let go. Those are the words of Crowfoot, the Blackfoot warrior. Dwell on them, and decide what they mean to you."
Running Wolf nodded tiredly. He was already exhausted and confused and now he had a parable to dwell on. Of course he would not dare express his feelings to the Chief. Not because he was the Chief but because the man was pretty much his second father. He had been close friends with his father and Running Wolf had spent a good part of his youth training under the Chief. And even now after his father's death, the Chief was still a father figure in his life.
When he first rose to the role of head warrior, there had been rumors of favoritism. Elder Kahona had led the group. Unfortunately for the village but fortunately for Running Wolf, war had broken out and he has risen to the task effortlessly. He had defended and protected their village and people. He had proven his capabilities. That was all he had done to crush the rumors. Now, Elder Kahona, he was someone that had several problems with Running Wolf that started even before then. He was already used to the man's madness. Nonetheless, he knewhe needed to be careful.
"Are you not considering remarriage? I could…" the Chief started but Running Wolf was quick to say,
"That will not be necessary, Chief."
The Chief chuckled, "Why? Do you have your eyes on a certain pale face?"
"What on earth do you mean?" Running Wolf gasped.
The Chief waved his question away, "Never mind."
Running Wolf stared at him in confusion for a moment. Then he said, "I have no plans of remarrying. I can't hurt someone else."
The Chief nodded thoughtfully, "Okay. Think of my words, Running Wolf. And remember that there is a huge responsibility that will soon be thrust upon your shoulders.”
"What do you mean by…" Running Wolf was confused again but as before the Chief waved him away,
"Go on. You may leave. And stop by more often. Dyani and I get quite lonely here."
Running Wolf smiled and he nodded. Dyani was the Chief's wife. The Chief patted Running Wolf's back and he took his leave.
Hold on to what is good… he was thinking when someone jumped in front of him. He looked up to see it was Chito.
"Chito, I see you are still here."
Chito shrugged, "I was curious to find out what you both discussed."
"Oh you don't say? Now you are curious. How about when you were opening your mouth wide? You didn't know that the conversation would end up heading in this direction, did you?"
"Well I knew you weren't going to say anything to him. It is right that he knows, Running Wolf. The Chief has your back and he has to be in the loop on every detail regarding thisdelicate matter. We cannot allow you to keep him in the dark, and next leave him in an exposed position. You should know this more than anyone. Not only are you a warrior, but you are also like a son to him. We cannot let your enemies gain ammunition."
Running Wolf shrugged, "I hear you. I hear you, Chito."
Chito sighed, "Elder Kahona and his entire family are up to no good. I just know it. I bet they will strike any minute now. We have to be prepared, my friend. We cannot be caught off-guard."
"Whatever they plan to do won't be now. It is the peak season, and he just had an open confrontation with me and the Chief. He certainly won't want fingers pointed at him, and tongues wagging about them. I bet he will wait a while so this blows over.”
"Well you have him all figured out, don't you? You think he just won't launch a surprise attack? He might know that you are thinking exactly what you are thinking and do exactly the opposite," Chito argued.
Running Wolf sighed, "It's simple commonsense, Chito. Elder Kahona hates me and has continuously tried to get me under his thumb, and of course always failed. He is a very determined man who loves power and I have always stopped him from attaining it, most times, by accident. He is playing his last card now. A card he played in the past. And when he realizes there is no point, that is when he will probably act. Now what will he do? That is the question. I am a great warrior because I consider all possible scenarios, my friend. Don't worry, I am not simple-minded."
