Free Passion's Series by Mary Adair Page A

could not control the red savages. They would get the scent of blood up their nostrils, and even the best-laid plans would go astray.
    The task of killing New Moon's brother had fallen on him. What if he had been seen? Hell, he was seen, but he took care of that one easy enough, and the rest of his noble savages escaped with none made the wiser.
    He shook himself. The leftover adrenaline still pumped, and he had to clear his mind.
    DuPrey gritted his teeth. The next step was not going as planned either. Cloud had been expected to allow him to accompany New Moon on the warpath, but the chief had refused. That damn breed was Cloud's choice instead. He wondered briefly who this new breed was, and how he came to be in Cloud's village. Well, it didn't matter. All was not lost...not by a long shot. He had not gotten this far by not being quick on his feet.
    New Moon took the news of their brother's death just as he knew she would. There were no signs of grief, no tears, no show of weakness. Her pride would not allow it.
    DuPrey rubbed at his crouch. She was perfect, she was beautiful, she excited him, and she was the Great Dancing Cloud's sister. His marriage to her...his body stirred at the thought...would serve his lusts and his mission.
    New Moon turned away as her brother, Cloud, departed to go to the council. She stood stiffly, her gaze locked on a single leaf dangling precariously from a broken twig that held stubbornly to a crooked branch. Would the slight breeze break the grip of the leaf and send it spiraling on the currents of the winds? Was her brother's soul still traveling on that same breeze to join her husband?
    A thin figure moved from behind a tree that stood several feet away. It was the Frenchman DuPrey. He was there after her husband's death as well. Her body trembled in warning as he moved purposefully in her direction.
    There was something not to be trusted about this Frenchman. The chief of Great Tellico may have allowed him to join their tribe, but he did not belong here. Without waiting for him to reach her, she turned and walked away.
    ***
    Once inside the walls of the village James and Silent Deer were met by Dancing Cloud.
    "Our brothers were attacked yesterday on their way to their own village." The pain could be heard in his voice as he spoke loudly to be heard above the sad wailing of the village women.
    James found the sound unnerving.
    "The warriors who survived the attack are here to ask for our help. Come with me to the council fire. It is this way."
    When they arrived, James was not surprised to hear the Frenchman, DuPrey, speaking in the native tongue. He was well known for his ability to persuade others. He now attempted to manipulate an entire tribe.
    "The French soldiers would be willing to aid their brothers in this battle against the Mohawk. These attacks happen over and over." The little Frenchman waved his arms as he talked, adding strength to his words.
    "The Mohawk do not respect the Cherokee as warriors. With help from your French brothers you could conquer this enemy for all time. Their hearts..." he hit his chest in a dramatic gesture, "will be filled with respect. They will be too fearful to send another raiding party into your lands."
    James watched the face of his friend, Dancing Cloud. He saw too much consideration there for the Frenchman's words.
    Tribes of Mohawk presently sided with the English in this yet unofficial tug of war with the French. If DuPrey proved able to draw the Cherokee into a war with the Mohawk Nation it would seriously unbalance England's control at the frontier.
    That conflict had to be averted. Such a war would find the English settlers on the frontier caught up to their hips in a blood bath.
    It was his mission to remove DuPrey from the Cherokee without creating an incident between the English and The People. If a way did not present itself soon, the cunning Frenchman would have more fires started than he and the whole of King George's special troops