My new novel, Raven’s Passion that is a prequel to Passion’s Price, will be published in February. This story is about Golden Dawn and Little Buffalo, who earns the name Raven Who Flies To Meet The Clouds in book one, Passion’s Vision. If you have read Passion’s Vision then you know that Little Buffalo is Red Panther’s ‘near son’ or ‘adopted son’. Golden Dawn is New Moon’s and Red Panther’s daughter.
Raven is having difficulty finding a place in a world that puts an unfavorable cast on a young brave that is considered to be a half-breed. Harder still is to watch how others treat his little ‘near sister’, Golden Dawn.
I wrote this story by request of readers that wanted more background on Golden Dawn and Raven after reading Passion’s Price.
Here is the prologue to Raven’s Passion. I hope you enjoy this introduction. I will post a few pages each week up to the publication date. If you would like to read the story that started the adventure of Raven and Dawn you can find it here….Passion’s Vision
If you want to read more about Raven and Dawn and the love that develops between them you can find it here…..Passion’s Price
Raven’s Passion
Prologue:
Raven who Flies to Meet the Clouds ran toward a pair of older opponents, one with the ball set in his stick while the other worked to block and whip the young warriors on the opposing team. Raven moved deftly, continuing a long sprint that led him arcing behind the duo. His friend, Farthest Running Antelope, moved in from the other side, sticks held to his side with arms tense and jaw tight.
The Cherokee around the field whooped as they saw the actions unfolding, calls echoing back and forth to bet on who would hit the others first. Antelope honored his totem, making a mad leap as he closed the distance to tackle the one with the ball. Raven spun with sticks outstretched, sweeping his adversary's feet out from under him just as he turned to see Antelope's attack.
The rushed duo rolled to a stop in the dirt as Raven and Antelope took off back down the field with the ball in their control. A cluster of teammates from both sides rushed after the new targets while the watching crowd exchanged grains, knives, and other goods to settle their bets. Those items would surely swap hands a hundred times more before the game of stickball finally ended.
Observers came and went as the game raced throughout the day, though some stood by with rapt attention to bet and cheer on friends. No official decision rested on this one's outcome, and there were mostly warriors and young men of Chota Town that played. However, this was the first full-scale game for many of the younger warriors. What's more, several experienced players were involved. Those that played now did so to prove themselves, earning respect and beginning to build their own stories of prowess and skill.
Red Panther walked up behind his wife, wrapping his hands around the taught musculature of her curving waist, “Does he play well this day?”
New Moon smiled, settling her hands atop the strong fingertips at her hips, “Very much so, and Antelope does nicely in the game too. Both stand strong and will do well when the village battles with Citico.”
Panther chuckled, “We will see how they fair by the end of the day, but I have faith that both will have earned great respect.” He grinned suddenly, twisting and peering down as a small pair of hands wrapped around his leg, “Me wee bairn, so good at sneakin' up on yer da'.”
Golden Dawn smiled up at her father, bright hair glowing in the sunlight and bright blue eyes flashing with her grin, “I wanna see Raven play! Lift me up, father!”
Moon reached down and plucked Dawn up and onto Panther's broad shoulders, mimicking Panther's brogue accent as she did so, “Th' lass wants ta' see bones breakin' 'n skulls cracked, who are we ta' refuse?” She still marveled that her honored brave had once been a Colonel working for England. He had left it all behind once he found her, and now many would hardly give him a second glance if not for his clay-colored hair.
Dawn put on her serious face and gave her parents a mock-frown at their teasing, “Ma 'n pa playin' daft, surely ya' ken I'll be a face basher too one day!” Her sweet, ringing voice made the brogue all the more odd amidst calls and shouts in Cherokee. The child switched back into the beloved tongue of her mother's people without pause, “Perhaps if I see well enough, I will learn from Raven's skill!” Her shining eyes betrayed her love for the young warrior.
Panther let out a solid laugh, voice deep with amusement, “Oh, you will learn much if you watch the game well, but I think you would learn more if your eyes follow more than your near-brother.”
On the field, the violence of clashing warriors continued. A half-dozen young braves slammed together with the sound of flesh smacking together, tumbling together in a tangled mess. The ball skittered somewhere beneath the group as they sprawled through an impromptu wrestling match with sticks slapping at those unwary enough to let down their guard. Shouts from across the field asked for bets on how many would be carried away by the women attending the match after the scramble.
Raven ran up to the fighters on the ground and leaped out over several of them, eying the ball as it slipped through someone's grasp. He tucked into a roll, crashing into one of the other warriors before nabbing the ball and clawing his way toward the edge of the wrestlers.
Dawn practically jumped with excitement on her father's shoulders, gripping Panther's hair in her fists, “See his jump!”
Red Panther grimaced a little, detaching the child from her perch as the grip became more painful, “I'll not need to pull any hair out today, thank you child.” Setting her down, they moved closer to the field's edge for a better view.
As Raven cleared from those that were still fighting on the ground, a member of the opposing team came at him sprinting madly. At the last moment, movement caught his eye and Raven ducked to avoid the swing of one his opponent's sticks. It missed, but then the other young warrior sprang with a tackle that drove them both to the ground. Raven's head snapped back and thudded against the ground as he lost control of the ball.
Panther turned to New Moon with a smile, “His head will definitely be sore tomorrow...”
Instead of responding, Moon began running out on the field, “Golden Dawn!”
Already halfway across the field, the child was headed straight for Raven. The young brave was having trouble standing, obviously woozy from the last hit he'd taken. Dawn's face was contorted with worry, and she yelled as she ran, “Get up! Don't let the women take you off the field!”
Behind her, New Moon was closing the distance fast, with Red Panther catching up right behind her. However, the braves playing the game hadn't even noticed the young child yet. They were still playing with fierce determination, hardly registering that anything abnormal was going on.
Suddenly, a warrior slung the ball quickly to pass it down the field right next to Golden Dawn. His stick swung wide after the toss, slapping the young child across the back of her head and sending her plunging to the ground.
Raven had pushed himself to his feet by then, controlling his face so as to hide the lingering wooziness he felt. The world still felt as if it shifted beneath his feet. Even with his vision blurred, he saw as Golden Dawn was struck by the young warrior. His adrenaline surged and he sprang toward the other player, forgetting himself and letting his anger show, “You would hit a young child!?”
Panther and New Moon were arriving, but it would be too late to stop their near-son's actions of anger. Around the field, bets were exchanged with their focus shifting from the stickball game to the sudden fight. Some placed wagers on how many punches Raven would get in before being pulled away.
The brave on the field spun on his heel; he hadn't even noticed that his stick struck the small one. He only saw one of the other players coming to attack him, and intended to play the game. His stance lowered and he swung a fist at his attacker.
Raven no longer thought of himself as playing a game. Instead, he had let his anger overcome his judgment. Ducking under the punch, he kicked at the other and then jumped forward to tackle him to the ground. His knee slammed into the brave's chest, pinning him and knocking his knuckles into the young man's face. He was rearing back for another attack when strong hands grabbed him under his arms and dragged him away.
Red Panther was furious, forcing himself to maintain outward calm as he yanked Raven to the side of the field. With calm control, he smoothly struck the back of the youngster's knees and drove him to a sitting position, “Your passion shows in every straining sinew and muscle. You will gain much in wisdom by resting for a moment to reflect on your action so that your future choices are so well thought out.”
In a state of shock, Raven seemed dumbfounded at being moved so quickly from the fight back onto the side of the field. He barely registered that it was Panther who'd done it, “That careless fool meant to do that! He is one who has ridiculed her for the color of her hair! He obviously looks for a chance to strike at those he finds to be different!” With some difficulty, he tried to get back to his feet.
Panther held his charge's shoulder firmly, pressing down so that Raven thumped back onto the dirt surface, “You show the stubborn ways of a buffalo, insistent upon your decision. I would be very surprised if you did not run from the herd in this state, so certain you are that you direction is true.”
At the reference to his childhood name, Raven grimaced sourly, peering at the one who had tutored him, taken him in almost as a son, “You have not seen all that I have seen. Your eyes are clouded from your acceptance into this village. I still know the touch of coldness that exists when there is no belonging.”
New Moon was holding Golden Dawn's hand as she walked. The little girl seemed fine, only looking to be concerned over the drama that erupted after she'd been hit. Moon glared with a stern expression for Raven's benefit, “Our girl is fine. She did not even cry after being struck, and she was up on her feet faster than you had managed.”
Others began to gather around them now. From the talk that was whispered back and forth and a hushed exchanged of bets, it was obvious that most were shocked by Raven's outburst. There was noted approval for Panther's stern response, as well as the speech used toward the young halfbreed to mollify such childish actions.
The game still sped forward to the side of them. Raven who Flies to Meet the Clouds had effectively been carried from the field. He had not made it to the end of the game and would lose face in that manner as well. His rash actions had cost him dearly.
Panther crouched down beside his near-son with a pained expression on his face. He would have to fix this problem somehow. It was not the first time that the youngster came into trouble because of his inability to control emotions. The inhabitants of Chota Town knew this as well, and would look to Red Panther for how this problem would be handled. “Raven who Flies to Meet the Clouds. You have done well here, and have learned much in the way of your Cherokee side.”
Raven had trouble matching that fierce gaze. He was beginning to realize how stupid his actions had been, and how it must look to the villagers. His performance would reflect poorly on Panther, who still took responsibility for its development. Though he often tried to keep the white man's custom of looking Panther in the eye as a sign of respect, this time he could hardly manage looking over the older man's shoulder as Cherokee custom dictated. As it had been for his entire life, he felt caught somewhere between the two ideals.
It was James Fitzgerald that spoke now. Panther hardly thought of himself in that role anymore, and truly felt that Red Panther was his “true” name. James was his alter ego, the other version of himself. He spoke now in stern English rather than with the fluidity of their beloved tongue, “However, perhaps it is time for you to learn more of your other half's ways and lifestyle. I am going to send you away for a while.”
The young half-breed started to respond, but James did not let him interrupt.
“I am going to send you to a school of reading and writing, tactics and strategy. It will be in England. You can come back once you graduate from their course for young men. Hopefully, there you will learn to control yourself better. Perhaps you will find yourself along the way.”
Raven only nodded, actually feeling somewhat relieved. Panther had taken him to England before, fully taking on the role of James Fitzgerald and dressing the other up as Raven Cloud for lessons and business meetings. In some ways, he looked forward to the trip. Perhaps he would be gone long enough for the others to forget his foolishness, remembering only the strength and ability. His face twisted with a faint scowl. Red Panther wishes to be rid of me, I am an embarrassment to him. The anger from before flared up, and he hung his head to hide his face.
Panther stood, speaking in Cherokee again so as to announce his decision to the group. The village would all know now, and would see this for what it was. It was a punishment that could be seen as a temporary banishment. The nods of others showed their acceptance of the idea, and many spoke of Red Panther's continued wisdom.
Golden Dawn gripped her mother's leg, holding back the tears she so dearly wanted to set free. Her most beloved companion was leaving her!
Here is the prologue to Raven’s Passion. I hope you enjoy this introduction. I will post a few pages each week. If you would like to read the story that started the adventure of Raven and Dawn you can find it here….Passion’s Vision
If you want to read more about Raven and Dawn and the love that develops between them you can find it here…..Passion’s Price