章 12: Chapter 12

They arrived at the same time as Spotted Owl, whom Lee hadn’t seen since the day he’d spent in the chief’s tipi. As they met at the door, he flared his eyes at Lee and curled his lip in a sneer. Tatanka stopped and let his brother enter before him. Spotted Owl was chief.

The inside of the tipi was dark. A low fire burned in the central fire pit. Around the sides were about two-dozen men. They seemed to range in age from that of Tatanka to very old. The shaman was among them. They all wore eagle feather headdress. Spotted Owl sat so there was space between him and the men on either side. This seemed to highlight his position in the council as chief. Tatanka took a seat in the circle. He indicated Lee should stand behind him.

For a long time no one spoke and nothing seemed to be happening. Then a brave standing in the shadow’s came forward with a sacred pipe. Lee involuntarily recoiled.