Chapter Nine
Running Buck continued to work with Shining Star and the other women. He was a hard worker and even the others occasionally had reason to praise him. While he enjoyed spending the time with his mother, he could not help but notice that all the other boys his age – and even younger – were busy learning how to be warriors. “Why do I not go to classes with the other boys?” he asked one evening as he helped Shining Star carry food to Red Bear and Lone Wolf.

Shining Star stopped walking and turned to face him. “You are still needed to help me. When we can find someone to replace you, you will begin classes once more.”

Running Buck nodded, but said nothing.

Later that evening as Red Bear prepared to leave for the new home they'd built for him after he became a man, Running Buck asked, “Would you mind if I came and visited for a short time?”

“I would like that very much,” replied Red Bear. “I have missed your company this past few evenings. Let us ask Mother if she has any objections.”

Shining Star gave them her blessings. She was pleased that Red Bear still took an interest in his half-brother. As they walked away, she decided that after the upcoming hunt she would ask Red Bear to begin teaching Running Buck the things he would be learning if he was allowed to attend classes.

When the boys reached Red Bear's home, Red Bear turned to face his younger brother. “What is it that troubles you?” he asked, as he pushed open the door flap.

Running Buck entered the home and sat quietly staring at the ground a few seconds before speaking. “I wish to be able to attend classes with the other boys. I have already missed three summers worth and will have to be with children much younger than myself when I get to return.”

Red Bear nodded. “This is true. So, why do you not go back?”

“Mother says she needs my help,” Running Buck replied. “She told me that when we find someone to replace me I could go back to training, but not until then.”

“You wish me to look for a replacement?” Red Bear inquired, as he readied himself for bed.

Running Buck nodded. “I thought that maybe while you were out tracking buffalo for the hunt, you could keep your eyes open for any lone travelers also. I've heard how you once before helped capture a slave for her.” He let his gaze fall to the ground and waited for his brother to respond. He wasn't sure how he would feel about this reminder that he was partially responsible for the attack on their mother that resulted in Running Buck's existence.

Red Bear sat next to Running Buck and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. He felt the younger boy tense as if waiting for a blow. “I will see what I can do,” he said, as he drew the trembling form next to him into an embrace. “Now,” he continued, as he let go of his much more relaxed younger brother, “let's get some sleep. I must get up early in the morning.”

Early the next morning, Red Bear awoke. He gently woke his brother and sent him on his way to where the women were gathering. He then prepared his belongings so he could go out in search of the buffalo that hopefully would soon arrive. As he left the village, he stopped by to visit with his mother. “You should think about letting him return to the classes for boys,” he said, as Running Buck went on an errand for one of the other women. “He is beginning to feel that you are preparing him to be someone's slave.”

“I don't wish him to be injured again; he is just now beginning to sleep through the night without the dreams,” she said. “He would have to attend classes taught by your father. I'm frightened that something will happen and....” She let the sentence drop as Running Buck returned and came to wish his brother luck.

Shining Star walked with Red Bear as he once more began his journey. “I was thinking that perhaps you could teach him in the evenings,” she said. “That way he would not have to be around Lone Wolf and he could still learn.”

Red Bear nodded. “But the council might not recognize that as proper training, and so he would still not be able to do anything but work with you and the other women.”

Shining Star sighed. “I had not thought of that possibility. Perhaps we could discuss our options more upon your return,” she said, as she gently touched Red Bear's cheek.

Red Bear nodded and then quickly mounted his horse and rode out of the village. As he rode, he offered a prayer to the spirits that he be allowed to find the overdue buffalo. While he was praying, he also asked that they help him with the problem of his younger brother. He had just finished this portion of the prayer when he spied the slowly rising smoke.

He quickly turned his horse in the direction of the small gray column that drifted into the air. As he drew nearer to the source of the smoke, he dismounted and scanned the area. Soon he found a place to hide his horse so that he could better scout out the area. After a few seconds, he made his way up the small rise that was between him and the smoke. He lay quietly watching the smoldering remains of a wagon train, searching it for any signs of life. When he was certain that there was no danger, he slowly approached the area.

Red Bear started his search with the lead wagon. He looked through the remains of the belongings these foolish white men had thought necessary to bring with them. He could not understand what much of it was used for, but he did manage to locate some dried meat and flour. These he placed in a small pile before continuing to the next wagon. In this wagon he found the unconscious, but still breathing, form of a young girl. She was not much bigger than Running Buck. Red Bear gently picked her up and carried her back to his horse. He placed her across the animal's back and then carefully mounted behind her. Forgetting about looking for buffalo and the supplies he'd gathered from the wagons, he headed his mount toward home, thanking the gods as he rode for their answer to his prayer about Running Buck.

“Red Bear returns,” was heard throughout the village not too long after he had left that morning. “Perhaps he has found the buffalo.”

“What's that he's carrying?” Running Buck asked as he rode past them.

“I don't know,” replied Shining Star as she watched her older son enter the home of the council chief. She turned to Running Buck. “Stay here and watch the broth; I'm going to go see what your brother is doing.”

Running Buck simply nodded and sat back by the fire. He offered up a prayer that his brother had been able to find someone to replace him here. He was not sure how much longer he could handle the teasing from the other boys about having to work with the women. He knew he was capable of doing the things they were doing; he just needed the chance to prove himself. Hopefully, his time would come soon.