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Chapter One

Throughyears

We have shared each other’s gladness,

And ept each other’s tears

—Jefferys

Wyo, l85l

Auturows hair

The sun spiraled lazily down the se of the Wind Band of Assiniboine Indians, a name which meant literally “our people”

This was the lodge of Chief Wa-ke-un-to, Blue Thunder Twenty-eight winters of age, he was a muscled and boldly handsome man His sculpted features contrasted vividly with the pockmarked face of the man who sat with him in private council

Gray Eyes was a dear childhood friend of Blue Thunder and chief of the neighboring White Owl Band of Assiniboine

“It is good to have you sitting with ain, my friend,” Blue Thunder said “Tell me why you have need of council with your friend Blue Thunder I am always here to listen and to offer help, if it is need

ed”

“I come with sad news,” Gray Eyes said soleain, my friend, but times are hard forI need to ask your warriors’ assistance in a task that will be dangerous for us all”

The tail feather of an eagle hung froht side of Gray Eyes’ head as the mark of his chieftaincy

He gazed at his friend, ore a si, black hair Like Gray Eyes, Blue Thunder was attired in fringed buckskin and moccasins

“Never feel ashaht you, but take froain for your people,” Blue Thunder said, gazing at his friend’s pockmarked face

It was so disfigured, Blue Thunder could barely recognize hio to the whitepost while the disease called s so many white and red-skinned people

Knowing of the danger, Blue Thunder had separated his own band fro this time As a result, the Wind Band remained unscathed by the disease

For a moment Blue Thunder wondered if he should risk the lives of his warriors to help a chief who had disregarded Blue Thunder’s earlier warnings

Should he tell Gray Eyes that he must live with the decision that now haunted him?

But no, Blue Thunder loved Gray Eyes as much as he would love a brother The two had learned to shoot and ride together as children, and he knew that he could not refuse his friend anything

“Tell ht you here today,” Blue Thunder invited

He slid a wooden tray of various foods, both meats and fruits, closer to his friend, who still refused to choose anything

It was apparent that food was the farthest thing from Gray Eyes’ mind, and Blue Thunder was anxious to knohat caused such distress

“I have co leftwarriors to protect the survivors of a recent a Nose,” Gray Eyes said, his voice draith emotion “The Comanche kneeakened my people were from ses to eighty Big Nose took advantage of this weakness and captured not only reat number of our horses”