something, and Orenda’s younger sister was what they both wanted-what they both needed. They’d waited years for the time to be right. Time was running out for them to form their own Triad and find the balance they needed. Their personal need for their mate was not alone. Their people needed her just as desperately. Achak was adamant their mate was what their people needed to flourish. She was needed now-with this moon-for all of them.
Chapter Two
Northern New York Territory, 1816
Kneeling on the ground next to the fire pit, Onatah Littlebird helped herself to a bowl of the venison stew her mother had prepared earlier in the day while she’d been out attending the sick. The loss of the young girl was weighing heavily on her. It was at times like these she wondered why the Great Spirit had ever called upon her to use her meager healing gift when he was going to take the spirit of innocence despite all her attempts to keep it here.
“Daughter, how does Little Doe fair?”
Tipping her head down, she shook it sadly. When her mother’s hands touched her shoulders, she closed her eyes while she tried futilely to keep the tears at bay.
“Thou tried, Onatah. If the Great Spirit deemed it time for Little Doe to return home, it was her time.”
Nodding, she took deep breaths as her appetite deserted her. Handing her mother the bowl, she stood. “I’m going to go down by the river. Perhaps a walk will clear my thoughts.”
Her mother stood and chewed on her lip nervously. “Be careful, Onatah, the river has claimed many including your sister. At least take this with you.”
Accepting the corn cake from her mother, she tucked it into the pocket of her doeskin skirt before leaning down and grabbing her walking staff. She’d used it for both protection and comfort. Her father had made it for her.
“I shall be careful.”
Making her way away from the center of her village, she walked towards the river. The mighty St. Lawrence River was wide and fast flowing. She found the oddest comfort walking along its shores. She felt closer to her sister, even though her heart was saddened. Her people had lost a great seer when Orenda had fallen into the fast moving waters, never to be seen again.
“I miss you, Orenda, and your guidance. You always knew how to comfort me.”
Walking along the edge of the water, she nibbled on the corn cake and tried to come to terms with the fact she’d lost the small girl. At times like this, she felt so insignificant and that her healing skills had failed her.
Gananoque, Ontario 2010, The Eve of The Full Moon
Glancing at the watch on his wrist, Jack frowned. It was after six and Ragtow was normally home from his shift at Covidien by now. The plant which was located not far from their home manufactured ECG leads for doctor’s offices and with his Masters Degree in Science, Ragtow was head of Research and Development. He was always home by four, so when he still hadn’t arrived, Jack worried as he left their small home, and headed towards the center of town intent on finding his wayward cousin.
Coming past the casino he could hear music and the busy noise of slot machines. He briefly thought of going in. Orenda worked there in security. Since she’d been employed the rate of card sharks had drastically decreased. No one wanted to try to cheat a casino with a ‘bona fide seer’ in the control room. She could tell him exactly where to find his cousin but in a town the size of Gananoque, population five thousand minus the islanders, he’d locate him faster just by doing a quick walk through the town.
He finally found him standing at the water’s edge gazing out at the St Lawrence River. The inherent tension filling Ragtow’s body was easy to see. Joining him at the railing, they watched the ships ferry up and down the river.
“Long day at the office, cousin?” Sometimes Ragtow came down to the river when his job’s stresses got to him.
Ragtow shook his head. “I couldn’t concentrate today so I cut out early.”
Jack cocked his head and waited for him to continue. Sometimes patience was the best bet with his cousin. It paid off as Ragtow finally turned to face him.
“Do you think she’ll adjust to this time, Pajackok? I worry about it. This time is very different than the eighteen hundreds. She’ll never have even had any electricity, much less ridden in a car, or any of the other technological things we take for granted.”
“We’ll ease her into our world, cousin. That’s why we’ve taken time off from our jobs and we’re using the old homestead outside of town. I checked with Andy, the electricity is on. I plan on taking out groceries and everything we’re going to need for at least a two week stay. We’ll take care of her and make sure she doesn’t regret coming to us.”
Ragtow nodded. “I sometimes wonder if it would be better for us to return to her time than force her to adapt to ours. With your training as a nurse and mine as an engineer we would be a great asset to her people.”
“I know, but what would you do if you had to go without your Saturday morning cartoons?” Jack had meant it as a joke, but it was quite obvious his humor had failed when his cousin quickly turned to face him.
“I’d gladly give up my cartoons if it meant our woman would be happy.”
“You and I both, Ragtow. Come, it’s getting late. We’re going to need our rest before we start our journey tomorrow. It wouldn’t do for us to be so tired we can’t pleasure our mate.”
A grin broke over Ragtow’s dark face. “Speak for yourself, old man. I’m still young and studly. I’ll be able to pleasure our mate long after your member goes limp.”
“We’ll see who lasts longer, cousin.” Jack cuffed his shoulder, glad that whatever funk his cousin had been in was finally over.
Northern New York Territory, 1816
Onatah awoke to screams. Shoving the furs off her, she raced out of her mother’s wigwam. The sounds and smell of black powder guns filled the clan’s clearing as a familiar hand grabbed her arm.
“Mother!” She caught her mother’s falling figure. Blood was flowing freely from a wound on her temple. Instinctively she pressed her hands against the wound.
“Go, run!” Her mother’s hoarse plea fell on deaf ears.
“No! I won’t leave thou! You’re the only family I have left.” Kneeling in the slushy mud and blood splattered snow, Onatah refused to let her mother go. Struggling to her feet, she dragged her mother up. “I refuse to let thou go.” Half carrying and half dragging her mother, she ran as fast as she could from the village. When they finally reached the water’s edge, Onatah stopped, turned and sobbed. Her only home was a blaze as the soldiers set fire to every structure. The screams and shouts of her people had her turning to rush back towards the village when her mother grabbed her arm.
“Stubborn girl!”
“Let go of me, mother! I can help them.” Struggling against her mother’s surprisingly strong grip, she tried to help her people.
“I’m sorry, Onatah. There is no help for us now. Your sister foresaw the end of our way of life before she left. Now it’s time for you to join her.”
Disbelief washed over her and Onatah turned to face her mother.
“Mother, what are you talking about? Orenda is gone and my place is here with you and our people.”
Her mother smiled sadly at her. “Your place is with your mates. Go, they are waiting for you.”
Looking at her mother as if she’d grown three heads, she tried to back away from her, but the firm grip her mother had on her arm stopped her.
“I love you, daughter. Tell your sister, I love her and miss her. Now go.”
“Go where? She’s gone, Mother!” She cried out as her mother gave her a hard shove and she tumbled backwards into the fast flowing water. A scream left her as she sank beneath the surface. Coming up for breath, she tried to stay afloat as she was 269