Chapter Four

Warrior woman

Years later in the woods outside Chota a beautiful full-grown Nancy Ward is running through the tall pine trees. She has long black hair that is blowing in the warm spring air and she is very tall and lean. Looking back to see if she is being followed, she sees someone and, again, begins to run. She gets to the edge of a cliff, stops, turns back to look, and then dives off the cliff. She drops fifty feet into a large lake and disappears. After about thirty seconds, she appears far from where she entered the water. She begins to swim to an island in the middle of the lake.

Just then, a six-foot two-inch tall, full-grown Kingfisher appears at the cliffs’ edge saying, “How did you get here so fast?” He dives into the air. “Here I come Nancy!” He hits the water with a much less graceful splash and follows Nancy to the island. Nancy walks onto the beach and sits down. Kingfisher joins her as he is breathing much harder than Nancy.

“What took you so long?” asks Nancy.

“You must show me the short cut,” replies Kingfisher.

“Right,” she laughingly responds. “Keep wishing. You do not swim like a Kingfish.

Kingfisher slowly catches his breath and says, “I love this place. I feel that the Great Spirit is watching over this spot and that no harm will ever come to it. What do you think?”

Nancy stares up to the sky and replies, “I believe in the Great Spirit of Mother Earth but I certainly can do without the white man’s god. That god was conjured up thousands of years ago in their Bible, by men, in a desperate attempt to try and control their masses and their women by instilling the fear of god into them. I believe I’ll continue to worship nature and not a god made into a man’s image”

This reply did not phase Kingfisher. He knew that Nancy was struggling with her father about religion. Her father wanted her to become a Christian and she would have none of it. Kingfisher thought it was better for Nancy to believe in the traditional gods as he did. Kingfisher looks into Nancy’s eyes and tells her, “I’m going to ask for you tonight.”

“Do you think they will allow it?”

“If they don’t,” he replies,” I’ll bite their heads off.” He laughs. She shakes her head and smiles. “I know your parents like me. They know I am right for you, my wild rose.”

“Well,” she says, “now all you have to do is convince me.”

They laugh as he takes her into his arms. They kiss and make love.

That night, in the Ward’s cabin, Francis, Tame Doe, Nancy, Long Fellow and Kingfisher are all seated around the fire. They are seated on the furniture that Francis Ward built and the cushions the Tame Doe made. They are all quite comfortable but Kingfisher seems a little nervous. He keeps breaking off pieces of a twig and tossing them into the fire. He gets up and offers to bring in more wood and Francis tells him to sit. Nancy is enjoying this awkward moment for her loving man because she feels that it should not be easy for him. He must earn the right to marry her. Finally Kingfisher comes out with it saying, “I love her and I will be a great husband to her.”

Francis looks at Tame Doe and says, jokingly, “Whom are you referring to?”

“Father,” speaks Long Fellow, “You know who he means.” Tame Doe looks at Long Fellow as if to suggest that he leaves or be quiet. “Excuse me,” he says as he leaves the cabin smirking under his breath.

“Nancy, sir,” says Kingfisher. “I wish to marry Nancy.”

“He knows,” says Nancy. “He’s just trying to be funny. I love him father. I always have. He is right for me.”

“Where will you live?” asks Tame Doe.

“We wish to build in that lot just west of here,” replies Kingfisher. “It would be perfect and close to you. We would be neighbors.”

Francis tells him, “You know I have always felt like you were part of this family. We might as well make it official. You may marry our daughter.”

“Thank you,” says Kingfisher as he reaches out to shake his hand. “You have made us both very happy.”

Nancy goes to her future husband and hugs him for she is glad that this moment has finally come and she wants to start her life with the man she loves. Nancy wants to raise children and be as good a mother as Tame doe. She feels confident in Kingfisher and knows that he is the one for her. This is the happiest day she has known because she will be married to Kingfisher. Tame Doe and Francis both smile at the couple and also know that this is the right thing for both of them. They could not be prouder of this life long choice that their daughter has made.

The next day, all of Chota prepared for the First New Moon of Spring Festival. All seven Principal Councilors and people from all seven Cherokee clans gathered in Chota. In came the Wolf clan, Deer clan, Paint clan, Raccoon clan, Bird clan, Wild cat clan and Long Hair clan. The seven Principal Councilors determined when a messenger would announce the upcoming festivals to all the Cherokee people. One of these Councilors was Attakullacca and he took much pride in his position. There were chosen hunters to get the game for feast, including Kingfisher, for he had already proven himself to be a great hunter. Seven Cherokee were in charge of this festival and seven more would organize the food preparation, including Tame Doe. When it was time for the Friendship Dance, Nancy was one of the first to perform because she was perfect with this dance. Kingfisher watched as if his entire world was in that young woman. He was more in love with her than life itself.

Kingfisher led the hunting party of seven to his favorite hunting grounds. They hunted deer and found many near a river that was not far from some white settlers. They used bows so they would not scare off the rest of the animals. After they had killed enough for the festival, they loaded them on their horses and headed back to Chota. On the trail they came across nine heavily armed white men. The white men raised their muskets as if to threaten Kingfisher’s party. He knew this was a dangerous situation. He looked straight ahead and ignored these white men. The two factions finally passed each other and the threat was over but this greatly angered Kingfisher because these whites were hunting on Cherokee lands and he would tell the Chiefs about this when he returned to Chota.

More and more, the white men were crossing into Cherokee lands. This was a problem for the Principal People who were finding it harder and harder to find game. Skins were being traded to the white men in large quantities for alcohol, sugar, coffee and other goods. The white man was destroying the world of the Cherokee and this was something that the Council discussed over and over with no solution. There just seemed to be no answer to this problem.

The next day, everyone went to the water for ritual purification. There was a stream near the Council House that was for this very purpose. The Cherokee always involved themselves in daily bathing, however this was purification of the holiest spirits. Nancy and Kingfisher spent most of their time together during this First New Moon of Spring Festival.

On the third day, everyone fasted and on the fourth, all did friendship dances which ended the ceremony. Afterwards the Seven Counselors called for the sacred night dance. This was a religious dance where a new sacred fire was built and all old fires in the Cherokee homes were extinguished. They also took medicine prepared by the Medicine Men. After that, white deerskins were given to the Festival Priests.

This festival seemed to renew the spirit of the Cherokee. They needed each other in this changing world. As the advances of the white men continued to threaten them, it seemed to draw them all closer together. It was a time of unity and a time of intense spirituality. As the years passed by, a larger percentage of all the Cherokee participated in these festivals. They were proud to be the Principal People and they were proud of their heritage.

That night, after Nancy had taken her share of herb tonic from the Medicine Man, she had trouble sleeping. She thought that it might have been the medicine or the fact that she was soon to be married. Whatever the reason, she decided to get up and go outside. It was a warm night and the full moon shown brightly. She went over to the newly built shelter for the ponies and greeted Blackie. She decided to ride her stallion down to the lake and have a swim.

Nancy rode off into the night with the moonlight glistening in her hair. She left Blackie at the shore and walked into the lake where she swam for a very long time, as the full moon seemed to light up the lake just for her nightly swim. As she silently floated on her back, she noticed a large shadow approaching the lake from her right. It was a large bear coming to the lake for a drink. She slowly moved in for a closer look and she could not help but think that this was the same animal she had encountered years ago. The bear noticed her and left the water so Nancy decided to follow it. She returned to Blackie, mounted him and headed off to track to bear.

Nancy Ward followed the bear for hours until it started to get light. She began to get tired but wanted to continue on. The bear would occasionally stop and look back at Nancy as if it were wondering just what she was up to. Finally the bear reached its destination. It had returned to a den where there were three small cubs waiting to great it. Nancy kept her distance, dismounted Blackie and sat under a tree watching the four bears. She was certain this was the same animal she had run into years ago and she did not feel threatened at all by this giant creature. Nancy fell asleep under the large pine tree as Blackie grazed nearby.

When Nancy awoke, the bears were nowhere to be seen. She figured they were either in the den or out foraging for food. Either way, she decided to leave this place and return to Chota but she would remember just where this place was so she could tell Kingfisher not to bring his hunting parties here. She felt that the bear was somehow a part of her and did not wish any harm to come of it. To her, this was the symbol of all her strength and courage. It was sacred.

Later that month, in the Council House, all the Cherokee women are seated on one side, opposite the men. Nancy and Kingfisher stand in the middle surrounded by family. They seem very happy and very much in love as a beautiful Marriage ceremony that is performed in front of all the tribe. They are each given blankets and fold them together. They exchange vows that tell each other of their undying love and devotion. Kingfisher gives his new bride venison to signify his promise to keep food in their home and Nancy gives him an ear of corn to show that she will always be a good Cherokee wife. All of their families watch as the two young, beautiful and happy people become one. Nancy Ward and Kingfisher become man and wife.

That night, in the center of the village, the whole tribe is still celebrating the joining of Nancy and Kingfisher. There is feasting, dancing, singing, drinking and smoking. Kingfisher and Nancy sit together near the fire and are surrounded by family. They seem very happy and very much in love. Kingfisher looks into Nancy’s eyes and asks her, “Are you happy?”

“Yes,” she replies.

“We will have many children,” says Kingfisher, “strong beautiful children.”

“We will raise them to be tolerant and understanding like Chief Attakullacca,” speaks Nancy as she looks at her uncle Attakullacca. “Maybe they will someday travel to England as you have.”

“Yes,” answers Attakullacca, who was proud of the fact that he went to England with Sir Alexander Cuming and seven other Cherokee warriors. There he met King George II and he, and his traveling companions were wined and dined almost to the point of being treated like royalty themselves. Attakullacca came away impressed with the British, and a friend of the white man. It was a well-publicized event and it was something that he would always remember.

“Tell me, my sister, would you wish to visit the white man’s land?” asks Long Fellow.

“Yes,” replies Nancy, “some day.”

“I would not make those traveling plans just yet,” states Francis Ward as he looks at Kingfisher, “You have work to do before you can . . .” suddenly a flaming arrow slams into a log that is near the fire. The singing and dancing stop as everyone stands.

Oconosta grabs the arrow and pulls it out of the log saying “Creek.”

Dragging Canoe looks to some other warriors and says, “We will gather our weapons.”

“They will not attack,” says Attakullacca. “Not here, not now. We will face them tomorrow.”

Oconosta signals to his nephew and tells him, “Dragging Canoe, go, gather them. Then get some sleep.”

Dragging Canoe runs off with Long Fellow and some other braves. Tame Doe’s mother walks to the fire. “I will gather the herbs for the Black Drink,” she tells them. “It will be ready at dawn.”

Nancy takes Kingfisher’s arm and pulls him to face her saying, “I will fight with you.”

“You do not have to Nancy,” says Francis Ward.

“Stay here,” pleads Tame Doe.

Kingfisher looks at his new bride and announces, “It is her decision.”

“No one can stop me,” says Nancy. She has decided to fight along side her husband. If he is to die, than so will she. She is not afraid of these people that attack her home. For years they have threatened to steal their hunting grounds. For years they have threatened to take their homes. Nancy wanted to protect her Chota from these thieves. She would fight and be brave, as many other Cherokee women would also do. If she needed to, she would call on the bear that lived in her heart. The bear would help her win the battle and it would know how to be strong.

The next morning in the Council House, about five hundred warriors, men and women are assembled. They are all wearing bright red war paint. Nancy is beside Kingfisher and ready for battle. Her grandmother is preparing the black tea in the center of the room. There is winterberry brush in and around the twenty-gallon cauldron that is on the fire. There is a line of warriors waiting to drink the sacred potion. Nancy’s grandmother is waving a large white swan wing over the cauldron of tea. She is singing the song of the Cherokee Ani-Yunwiya (Principal People). “We are the ones. The proud and strong. We lead and they follow. We are the ones. We are the Cherokee.” Nancy comes to the front of the line and drinks her share of the black tea. Kingfisher drinks his and is followed by Francis Ward, Long Fellow, Dragging Canoe and others. Oconosta and Attakullacca sit behind Nancy’s grandmother.

Attackullacca acknowledges his mother, telling her, “As Ghighuaa, you have performed your duties well. We are now ready to face the Creek.”

Oconosta watches as this all unfolds before him. He is proud of his people and he feels strong today. He lives for these times when he can prove his worthiness to all. He states, “As War Chief, I proclaim our readiness for battle.” The two chiefs stand and walk out of the Council House, followed by all the rest.

The tribe follows the two Chiefs into the woods outside Chota and they are as quiet as mice. Their footsteps are not heard at all and the forest animals seem to help with their cover by not giving them away. Even the birds cooperate with this stealth tactic. When they approach a meadow, they all spread out and take cover, as Oconosta waves his arm. There is much apprehension in all the warriors. Suddenly they hear the signals of the Creek Indians and they see movement far off in the bushes. Dragging Canoe spots one of the Creek and fires his musket. All at once there are loud gunshots as the Creek and Cherokee are pinned down on opposite sides of the small meadow. They are all hiding behind trees and fallen logs. Nancy is chewing on the lead balls and pouring powder from a deerskin pouch into a musket. Kingfisher is beside her, aiming another muskets over a large log. Francis Ward and Long Fellow are close by sitting down behind a small tree.

“You all right?” asks Francis.

Long Fellow looks at him and answers, “Yes.” He looks over to Nancy and Kingfisher and shouts, “You all right?”

“Yes,” replies Kingfisher as he fires his rifle. “How many do you think?”

“As many as us, if not more,” shouts back Francis.

Nancy hands Kingfisher the loaded gun and takes the empty one for loading.

“I cannot believe how fast you do that,” he tells her.

A bullet ricochets off their log and they duck down. Kingfisher takes aim and fires. After reloading the musket, Nancy peeks over the log and says, “I see one.” She takes aim and fires, hitting one of the Creek warriors in the shoulder. Oconosta and Dragging Canoe rush up to Nancy and Kingfisher’s log.

Dragging canoe looks over the log and says, “This is a good place.” He fires his weapon. “I think they are running.”

“Keep shooting!” cries Oconosta as he fires his musket. Dragging Canoe reloads his as Francis Ward comes over beside him. Dragging Canoe gives him a dirty look, stands up, screams and attacks the Creek. Long Fellow is first to follow. Finally, the others follow his example and the Creek all start to retreat. The Cherokee chase them for a short distance.

“Enough!” shouts Attakullacca. “They have given up!”

The Cherokee warriors stop and cheer very loudly as they raise their weapons up to the sky.

“We did it,” says Nancy.

Dragging Canoe tells her, “They will be back.”

“And we’ll be ready,” adds Oconosta as the tribe begins to return to Chota. They have suffered some losses and there have been many wounded. Nancy and Kingfisher return to the tent that is pitched on the spot of their new cabin. They are grateful to be unharmed. They plan to continue to work on building the cabin in the morning, but for now they rested.

As Nancy lay next to her husband, she thought about the killing she had witnessed. She began to wonder about the deaths and if they could have been avoided. She slipped into a deep sleep and began to dream. She dreamt that she was back in the woods fighting the Creek and her party was surrounded with no hope of victory. Francis was lying dead next to her two uncles who were shooting their muskets into the air. Kingfisher was sleeping with his head resting on a log and Nancy was trying to wake him. The Creek were closing in all around them. Suddenly Dragging Canoe appeared from behind the Creek. He was fighting with them. Nancy was horrified and desperately tried to wake Kingfisher. Finally he awoke and started to cry saying, “I have no more ammunition.” He was then shot in the leg with an arrow. Nancy tried to help him but was over taken by the attacking Creek Indians. She was torn apart by them and all the rest of her party were killed as Dragging Canoe was taking scalps. Nancy continued to sleep.

As Kingfisher slept, he also dreamt. His was a more peaceful dream about his father. Although his father was an alcoholic and beat him when he was drunk, when he was sober, Kingfisher’s father was a loving person. In this dream, Kingfisher was riding with his father in a sunny meadow with the wind blowing in their long hair. It was something that Kingfisher remembered that happened years ago and he always thought it was the happiest time the two ever shared. They talked about his mother who died during his birth. He learned about her beauty and compassion. He learned why his father had become an alcoholic. It was the loss of his mother that drove him to drink and his father promised him that he would stop drinking which made Kingfisher happier than he had ever been. He continued to dream about this moment in his past.

In the morning, all seemed normal again in Chota. There was no talk of the battle for it was done and it was time to face a new day. Nancy, Kingfisher, Long Fellow, Attakullacca, Wild Horse, Tame Doe and Francis Ward all worked together to build Nancy and Kingfisher’s new home. They cut trees, split boards and dug a section for the “hot house” where it would be warm on the cold winter nights. This hard work went on for weeks and there was very little conversation. This was the way of the Cherokee. When there was work to be done, the family would focus on only the task at hand and they worked together.

In the evening, Nancy and Kingfisher would have dinner with Tame Doe, Francis and Long Fellow. They would talk about the new cabin and discuss the progress of their work.

After they left one night, Tame Doe had a nightmare that left her numb for weeks. She dreamt that she was dead and her life, as she knew it, was a dream. This seemed so real that, when she awoke, she quietly cried herself back to sleep so as not to wake up Francis. When she finally fell back to sleep, she continued on with the same dream. Her dead grandmother came to her in this part of the dream and told her not to worry because it would be all right. She said that life and death were one and the same. Tame Doe believed this and felt calm as she continued to dream and sleep.

Francis also dreamt this night and his was a very different kind of dream. He was back in the English army leading his men into battle against an Iroquois war party. They heavily out numbered the war party and were killing many of them. Suddenly he noticed a break in the front lines and a group of Indians were standing there all bloody. It was Tame Doe, Attakullacca, Oconosta and Tame Doe’s mother. He tried to get his men to halt the attack but they did not even notice him. He ran to his Cherokee family and tried to help them but was shot in the back by friendly fire. He tried to crawl to them but a great fog came and hid them from his sight. Francis continued to sleep.

After the Cherokee had driven back the Creek Indians, Dragging Canoe focused his energies in defending his hunting grounds from the advances of the white settlers. He had recruited many warriors and found out that the best way to keep them was to give them the rewards of their captures. For the most part, they held night raids and stole horses and cattle. They tried to avoid killing people because Dragging Canoe knew this would bring soldiers out to kill them. They were smart and their raids were very effective. Most of the raids went unnoticed in Chota and Dragging Canoe wanted it that way. He knew the council would disapprove, although he really did not care about the council. The women ran the council and he cared not about being told what to do by women.

As Nancy and Kingfisher’s new home came closer to completion, Nancy took some time for herself and roamed the countryside, sometimes for hours at a time. She needed to be close to nature and the animals of the forests. She very much needed her solitude, for it gave her the strength see needed to live her life in Chota. She loved her family and her husband, but she could never give up on this idea that she was truly alone in the universe. Her soul was always going to be on its own. There would never be anyone or anything that could make her feel any different and she would always believe in this solitude.

On one of Nancy’s nature trips, she encountered Dragging Canoe and some of his warriors. They were about twenty in number and they were on horseback. Nancy, being on foot, hid behind a tree so as not to be noticed. They were riding up to a clearing where they all dismounted. The war party sat in a circle and began to talk about their nightly raid that they had planned for that very night. Nancy kept low and moved up close enough to hear them speak. She heard about the plan to steal some horses from a white settlement that was encroaching on Cherokee lands. Some of his warriors argued that they should take scalps on this raid but Dragging Canoe would not allow this. He had complete control of these men. Nancy knew that this was something that she should try to stop but she would not turn in her cousin. She quietly left and returned to Chota. She would say nothing about this.

Nine months later, Nancy is cooking by the fireplace, in her new cabin as Kingfisher is sitting at the table. Nancy is very pregnant. “This is ready, she says.”

“Sit down,” he commands. “I will fix you some.”

“No,” she softly replies, “I am not hungry.”

“You must eat,” he pleads.

“Later,” is her answer, “You eat now.”

Nancy lies down on the bed. Kingfisher grabs a ladle and a bowl and starts to serve up some food from the pot over the fire. He sits at the table and eats. “I really wish you would eat with me Wild Rose. It just does not taste the same without you.”

“What is wrong with it?” she asks.

“Not a thing,” he tells her, “It is the best.” He leaves his food, goes over to Nancy and sits beside her on the bed. “Pretty soon?”

“Oh. I cannot wait to get this child out of me!” Nancy says as she rolls her eyes in a show of anguish.

“If it is a boy, I wish to call him Fire Killer,” he tells her. “If it is a girl, you can name her.”

“Deal,” she replies. “Oh!”

“What?” asks Kingfisher.

“This must be a boy,” she answers, “and a big one, because that kick really hurt!”

The cabin door opens as Tame Doe and her mother enter carrying baskets full of goods.

“I have to go,” he tells her. “There is a game. I love you.”

Kingfisher kisses Nancy, gets up and leaves. Nancy gets up and goes to sit with her mother and grandmother at the table.

Nancy’s grandmother asks, “How do you feel?”

“I think it is almost time,” answers Nancy.

“I hope so,” says Tame Doe. “You look like you could use a break. Dragging Canoe has started more trouble with the English. Seem there was a misunderstanding over the ownership of some horses.”

Nancy sits up and asks, “What happened?”

Her grandmother tells her, “Six English were killed. Settlers.”

“This does not look too good for us,” says Tame Doe. “There is talk of an attack on the fort.”

“Dragging Canoe will never make peace with the whites,” says Nancy’s grandmother. “I can no longer influence him. He will not listen. Nor will Oconosta. I am afraid that many more will die.” She takes Nancy’s hand. “The chance for peace lies with you. He will listen to his cousin. Talk with him.”

“She is right,” says Tame Doe. “Things will only get much worse for us if they do not stop fighting with the English.”

“I think things will get much worse for us no matter what Dragging Canoe and Oconosta do,” replies Nancy. “We rely too much on the English and their supplies. We are killing too many deer for skins. The Settlers are stealing our lands. I am afraid for all of us.”

Nancy sat and listened to her mother and grandmother as they continued to tell her how Dragging Canoe needed to be straightened out. Her thoughts drifted to her cousin and how much he had struggled as a child to be loved by his friends. They always respected him but she doubted if there was ever any love for Dragging Canoe. She feared that his hatred for the white people was really just his hatred for life in general. This thought had always haunted her and she always felt sorry for her cousin. She never feared him as most of her tribe did. She knew that she was the only one that he respected in the tribe. Even his own father, Attakullacca, received very little respect from Dragging Canoe.

Dragging Canoe spent most of his time recruiting young braves. He was a great talker and convinced many that they could stop the whites from taking any more of their lands. He lived alone in a small cabin and took many women to bed without marrying any of them. This was looked down upon by his family and he was shunned because of his habits.

One night, after Dragging Canoe had partied late with some of his followers, he returned to his cabin with too much alcohol in his blood. He began to throw things around and curse his life. He was angry with the gods and he hated the fact that his world was falling apart. He wanted to kill anyone that stopped him from doing the things that he felt would save his tribe. After his tantrum died down he fell back onto his bed and went into a deep sleep. He dreamt of a place where there were no white men, only Cherokee, and he was the chief. There was peace and love all around him and there was no need for war or killing. He felt the love of all and had no hate or fear in his heart. It was a good dream, but it was only a dream.

Later that week, Nancy gave birth to a son and they named him Fire Killer. The birth was a difficult one, but Nancy soon recovered. She deeply loved her new son and was grateful to the great spirits for all that they had given her. Her love for Kingfisher was even stronger now that their blood had mixed to create this beautiful child. Nancy Ward now had much to protect and in the spring, when the Creek Indians returned, she knew she had to fight or risk losing everything she loved so dearly.

On a full moon when the weather began to get warmer, the Creek Indians did return and all of the Cherokee were called into action. They had to fight to protect their homelands and these Creek had to be stopped. This was going to be a crucial battle and all was on the line. This could determine the outcome of the tribe’s future and there was great tension among the Wolf Clan because all would have to fight, to the death, if necessary.

Inside the Council House, there are many full painted Cherokee who are waiting to drink the Black Tea that Nancy’s grandmother has again prepared. Nancy hands her baby boy to her mother, Tame Doe who says, “You should stay here with him.”

“Please,” begs Nancy, “no more.” She would not be denied the rights that she possessed to fight along side her husband and she was not afraid of the Creek.

Francis Ward looks at Tame Doe and tells her, “We will beat the Creek back for good this time.”

“Yes,” adds Kingfisher.

Attakullacca stand and faces all of the warriors saying, “Again we fight. Again we must protect our Sacred Lands. Together we will defeat the Creek.”

Nancy and Kingfisher take their turn drinking the tea as their grandmother passes her swan wing over their drinks and puts her hand on Kingfisher’s arm. She looks at him and says, “Take good care. We need you here, all of you.”

Oconosta raises his musket and shouts, “We are ready for battle! We must go!” He leads the war party out of the Council House. The Cherokee filter into the woods and quietly approach the area where the Creek Indians are held up. The ground is damp and the morning air is filled with moisture as the sun is hidden behind the clouds that cover the entire skyline. Dragging Canoe takes the lead from his uncle and approaches the meadow where the Creek are hiding. He notices something moving in the distance and fires the first shot. There is loud gun fighting. The Creek are holding their ground at the same field as their last battle and both sides are pinned down behind trees. Nancy is loading a musket and Kingfisher is firing another.

“I think they out number us this time,” says Nancy.

“Ready?” asks Kingfisher.

“Here,” replies Nancy as she hands Kingfisher the loaded musket. She takes the empty one and starts to load it. The gunfire picks up and many Cherokee are hit. They start to retreat as Oconosta tries to make a stand with some braves but too many are shot down so he pulls back.

“We have to pull back!” pleads Nancy.

“Not yet!” shouts Kingfisher as he fires a shot. Suddenly Kingfishers’ head is thrown back. He goes face down and completely still. Nancy grabs him and turns him over to see a bullet hole in his forehead. He is dead and she is frozen. Then she starts to sing the Cherokee war song as she calls on the sleeping bear that lives deep down in her heart. She calls to the bear to rise up and make her strong. Nancy loads both muskets, puts one in each arm and mounts a solo attack. She disappears into the Creek side of the meadow as there are shots and screams. Suddenly Nancy appears from the woods unharmed. All the Cherokee start to yell and come to their feet. Long Fellow and Francis Ward run toward Nancy with the rest of the warriors just behind. She signals to them to follow as she runs back into the woods. Nancy has turned the tide of the battle. The Cherokee win a complete victory over their long time enemy. The few Creek Indians who were not killed run off into the woods. Nancy watches as they run away and her eyes begin to fill with tears but she does not cry. She knows she must be strong so she makes her way back to Kingfisher’s body followed by her father and Oconosta.

The Cherokee war party returns to Chota as Nancy leads a horse carrying the body of Kingfisher that is followed by all the warriors. Nancy is in shock but she refuses to break down. She cannot believe what has just happened and she thinks it must be a dream. This had to be the answer to this nightmare. It was not real and it could not be real. Tame Doe and her mother approach Nancy as they all come to a stop. Tame Doe goes over to Kingfisher and touches his head.

“It is over,” speaks Francis Ward. “They will never return.”

“At what cost?” asks Tame Doe as she hugs her daughter.

“He fought bravely,” announced Attakullacca. “He died proud and free. No one could ask for more.”

Nancy leaves the horse and walks into her cabin. She will not talk to anyone and she will not look at anyone. She will be alone and wait for this nightmare to end for it had to end. Long Fellow takes the horse with Kingfisher’s body away.

Oconosta, who is standing with his brother Attakullacca, lowers his head and softly says, “He will be missed.” A tear comes to his eye as he watches Nancy enter her cabin. He knows how hard it is to lose a loved one and he knows what she is feeling. He will mourn with her in his heart because he loves his niece and will now worry for her well being.

Attakullacca felt the pain as well. He never really understood why the young had to die well before their time. This part of life always seemed unfair to him and he would also mourn in his heart for Nancy.

Tame Doe’s mother turns to Tame Doe and says, “Come. We will prepare the funeral.” They leave.

Francis walks over to Oconosta and tells him, “There is no more need far war. Let this be the final battle. The Wolf clan can now live in peace.”

“Yes,” speaks Attakullacca, “I think we must. We have paid to great a price.”

“And the English?” asks Oconosta. “Every day our hunting lands are invaded. Every day the white man steals from us. There will be no more Principal People left on these lands if we continue to let the whites take from us and the peace talks do nothing. Dragging Canoe has many followers. He will never stop hating the white man for what they do, nor will I.” Oconosta walks away.

Francis watches as Kingfisher’s body is being led away. He cannot hold onto his thoughts of him because they will tear him apart. He loved this young man as if he were his own son but he would practice shutting out the memory of Kingfisher so he would not have to feel the pain of this loss. He cried for his daughter and he cried for the days Nancy would spend without her husband in her new cabin. He cried for Nancy’s son who would now have to grow up without his father. This side of life was too unfair and greatly unjust.

From a distance Dragging Canoe also watched this very sad scene. He had tears in his eyes for his fallen friend. He would miss his childhood playmate. He mounted his horse and rode deep into the forest. He was not seen for days. This was a sad day for all of the Wolf clan.