"What card? What card is he playing?" Chito nagged.
Running Wolf shrugged and continued down the path. Chito followed him, not setting his curiosity aside.
"Are you really not going to say anything?" Chito frowned.
"Why should I? I am pretty sure you will figure it out by yourself. You are smart, aren't you?" Running Wolf shrugged ashe hastened his footsteps. He was desperate to get away from the village. He needed silence, the solace of the forest, to think. He had several thoughts going around in his head. Just when he caught the string of one and was pulling it to the center, another one got in the way and he lost all.
"Is that really all you are going to say?" Chito's frown deepened. He was oblivious of the fact that his friend just wanted to get away. He hastened his footsteps so he could keep up with Running Wolf's long strides.
Running Wolf suddenly picked up his pace. For him, it was barely a change but Chito almost had to run to keep up.
"Why the speed?" Chito asked just as they heard,
"Running Wolf! Hold on!"
Running Wolf groaned and he glared at his friend, "I blame you for this."
"What did I…?" Chito clamped his mouth shut as Atola got to them.
She tilted a head of rich brown hair that had been pulled into a long braid down her back.
"Hello Running Wolf. For a moment, I thought I had missed you. I've been waiting for you ever since the meeting rounded up. Father said you stayed back to talk with the Chief." She smiled at him.
"Is there anything I can help you with?" Running Wolf asked impatiently.
"Uh… no. I just wanted to say hello. And invite you to my family home for a meal. Now that you're a widower, I do not think you are eating well."
Before Running Wolf could reply, Chito beat him to it, "Are you unaware or just blind? Are you going to act like you don't know your father does not like Running Wolf? Yet, you extend an invitation to your home."
She covered her mouth as she chuckled. Running Wolf and Chito rolled their eyes as they watched her, "That's not true. The fact that my father opposes your decisions sometimes does not mean he does not like you. You have to be able to deal with conflicting voices in life, Running Wolf. You should not assume everyone hates you."
Running Wolf nodded slowly, "You know what? You are right. The two are not always necessarily connected."
"They are not?" Chito scratched his head.
"Perfect! I'm glad you understand. So you will be coming over then?" She inquired delightedly.
"No, I won't. Now, if you will excuse me." He made to turn around but she grabbed his hand.
She batted her eyes at him and asked softly, "But why, Running Wolf?"
Running Wolf glared at her hand around his arm and she quickly pulled it away like his arm was a piece of hot coal. Calmly he said, "I don't have to explain myself to you. If you will excuse me."
Not waiting for a response or for his friend, he headed off.
"Oh my goodness! She is the last card, right? The card Elder Kahona is playing?"
"You finally act smart," Running Wolf said quietly.
"Why does he bother? You never even looked her way when it was an arranged marriage, what more now? Does he think you're desperate to settle?"
Running Wolf shrugged, "Don't know, don't care. I'm heading to the forest. See you later."
He jogged off, leaving his friend behind.
Chapter Fourteen
Running Wolf settled in a cross legged position on the forest floor. He needed the calm that meditation provided him. Meditating there, amidst the animals, the trees, the grass, it always helped him gain clarity. He had not done this in a long time. Just like with everything else he had been depriving himself of, he thought he did not deserve the peace that came with meditation after all his losses. He sighed. He blamed himself for a lot. So much had happened to those he cared about. Of course it was only logical that he, the linking thread was the reason behind it all.
