Prologue
They waited for what later seemed like an eternity before they realized he wasn't coming back. Neither of them wanted to leave but in the end they were forced to. Apart from the chance of being discovered there was their situation to consider. Ike was worn out and it was only sheer willpower that kept him on the ledge. Even Kid was beginning to feel the lack of food and they were quickly running out of water. Neither of them dared to venture too far at the risk of being discovered. So, finally on the fifth day of their vigilance, they sneaked down from the ledge in the protection of the quickly darkening sky and with heavy hearts began the journey back to the station.

Chapter One
The sound of a wailing dog woke him up. Sleepily he tried to ascertain his situation as the dog outside obviously gave up the fight for whatever scrap it had found and fled, whimpering, as the low growl of the winner was heard through the tepee covering. His head felt heavy and as he moved his muscles objected to the movement. Stiffly he managed to raise himself up on one elbow as his eyes slowly adjusted to the dim light. It was his brother's home and it had changed very little since he last saw it. The only change was the addition of another child, sleeping peacefully next to its older sibling, a young girl whom Buck hadn't seen since she was a baby. His eyes carefully scanned the inside until they came to rest on Red Bear and his wife, sleeping embraced in each others' arms. The scene was a perfect image of harmony that didn't sit well with the weary condition Buck was in.

He suddenly realized that he was thirsty and despite his sore muscles, he threw off his cover to reach for the buffalo pouch which he knew from his childhood contained water. It was then he remembered that he only was wearing his long johns. When Red Bear had invited him to stay in his family tepee rather than the tepee in which the two adolescent boys who took care of Red Bears horses, Buck had been too tired, too weary, to do anything but accept. Getting ready for the night he had simply taken off his clothes with the intention of getting some well-earned sleep. He was not prepared for the intensive giggle that erupted in the tepee at the sight of his bottom long-johns. He could still feel the heat of embarrassment that had flushed his face. In fact, he would have felt less embarrassed had he been naked. Why white men would wear two pairs of pants had for a long time been a source of bewilderment and amusement to the Kiowa. To see a Kiowa, or in this case, a half Kiowa, wearing the same confusing clothing, had simply been too much for his two nieces and had created a disapproving frown on his brother's face. Buck hadn't care then, being too tired and eager to get to sleep so he at least could hide his embarrassment.

Sighing, he carefully reached for the pouch as not to wake up the girls and create another fit of giggles. The water tasted bitter and he had to repress the urge to spit it out. It was just one of those things he would have to get used to again. Getting back into the makeshift bed Red Bear's wife had prepared for him the evening before he couldn't help reflecting on what had brought him here. "Not against my brothers in the Express, but I will fight in a war-party." That had been his promise to his brother, given in the spur of the moment, in exchange for Ike's freedom. Ike was free now, and Buck was left to uphold his part of the bargain. He hoped that Kid and Ike had made it safely back to the station. He hoped that they would understand he wasn't coming back. After all he had already told Teaspoon he was leaving. He felt a twinge of pain at the thought that he, in all probability, never would see them again. He tried to comfort himself it was all for the best. Ike was with family - a good family. He being gone would also make things easier for the others - no more arguments with the 'good' citizens of Sweetwater or any more trouble because of him. He would still miss Ike though - he would miss him enormously.

He choked down the lump that had formed in his throat at the thought of Ike. He would miss all of them; Lou, Kid, Jimmy, Cody, Teaspoon and Emma. They hadn't really known each other for very long but still Buck considered them as friends. He had even forgiven Jimmy for the harsh words he had spoken after finding out his meeting with Red Bear. The initial anger he had felt at the others' distrust had slowly faded and given way to realization. Had he been in their shoes he would probably reacted in the same way. He wished he would have been able to explain this to them, but wishing wouldn't do any good. Apart from missing his friends, he knew he would miss his life. The promise he had given Red Bear for him to free Ike weighed heavily on him and his own words still rang in his mind. He had promised his brother one more warrior and he chilled at the thought. The promise made had seemed acceptable when he wanted to save Ike, but now... now it scared him. A few years back, when he still had lived with the Kiowa, the prospect of being a warrior would have excited him - he had even longed for the day he would be able to call himself that. But so much had happened since then and he was no longer the same. A feeling of dread filled him and he shivered. His life had changed in a second and he was not sure it was for the best.