Free Passion's Series by Mary Adair Page B

could put out, he mused with an amount of unwanted respect.
    He turned to DuPrey. "How many were in this party that attacked you?" he asked in Cherokee.
    DuPrey's eyes darted about the gathered counsel. "We counted ten. We killed all but three." With an indignant air he added firmly, "The attack was unwarranted. The blood of our brothers calls out to be avenged. We must retaliate!" DuPrey's eyes bulged with indignation.
    James wondered how this small, ugly man could have so much influence. His narrow face and long pointed nose gave him the appearance of a rat, but in his eyes James could see a store of intelligence and deceit. The man did not need size; he had the cunning of a fox and the poison of a viper.
    James stood silently for a few moments, his eyes locked over DuPrey's left shoulder as he listened to the mumbling of the others. The warriors were understandably upset.
    Finally, unable to hold his words a moment longer, he broke his silence, "There were many more of you. Why did you not go after them yourselves rather than come back here?" James saw a flash of anger in the other's eyes.
    "The warriors are tired, from the game." The little man appeared the picture of concern, but James was not fooled. Neither was DuPrey. On this, their first real encounter, they were on opposing sides of an issue.
    "Besides," DuPrey continued. "One of the warriors killed had a blood relation in this village. It was only proper that we bring his body here since he had no male relative in our village to avenge his death, and his wife traveled with us."
    James nodded in acknowledgment before he turned to Cloud. "This is a difficulty among our people. The remainder of the raiding party is small. We can handle them among ourselves. To bring in the French would be taking steps toward a much larger war and more blood to be avenged. All that is needed at this time is to avenge the cry on only a few evil men. We must consider our women and children."
    Dancing Cloud stared thoughtfully into the fire. " The People are fierce and brave warriors." Cloud spoke without looking up. "We are not afraid to go to war, but we must choose our path wisely. If we call in the French to help with a war against the Mohawk, would not the Mohawk ask the English to help them? Your words are filled with wisdom. Such a war would cause much death and bloodshed. This would be a bad thing. We should send a war party out to avenge the blood cry against these three evil men."
    The mumbling continued a short time and then one by one all agreed with Dancing Cloud's wise suggestion.
    James rose to his feet and turned to walk from the fire but stopped short as he saw New Moon. He didn't know what he expected to see, but it most assuredly was not what met his eyes.
    Her face and bare chest were painted with red and black stain. Covering her hips and shapely legs were the loincloth and leggings of the warrior.
    He did not know how long he stood staring in disbelief. His eyes lowered to her firm, round breast, their sensuality somehow heightened by the bold colors. To his chagrin he felt his body respond.
    His face became hot with his anger. Who did she think to fool? Any man with eyes in his head would know she was a woman! It may be true that some Cherokee women accompanied their warriors into war, but not New Moon. He would not allow it!
    Cloud stood beside James. "One of the warriors killed was New Moon's brother."
    James swung his head to look at his friend. "The warrior DuPrey spoke of, he was your and New Moon's brother?"
    "Yes."
    "Does your heart lead you to join the war party?" James asked as his understanding of the tension in the village grew.
    "My heart is greatly saddened, but my responsibility to my people outweighs my own pain. I fear that the death of my brother is meant to draw my people into a plan of the white men. I will remain here with most of the warriors."
    "I understand my friend, and I also fear the plans of the French. My heart is saddened by your loss. I