The Elk-Dog Heritage Read Online Free

here was that if Badger’s Blood Society had now included warrior sisters, it must have immense influence with the young people. The vows of a warrior sister were not to be taken lightly.
    This added evidence of the prestige of the illicit warrior society was sobering to the two men. Though nothing definite had happened yet, they must make Heads Off aware of their observations.
    They rose and walked toward the lodge of the chief.

4
    The two men found that their chief was not completely unaware of the undercurrents in the band. Though he might be a newcomer to the ageless customs of the People, Heads Off was a shrewd observer. He had sensed the tension behind the defiant attitude of the Blood Society. He had, in fact, discussed the matter at length with Tall One as they lay close in the warmth of their sleeping robes.
    Coyote was much relieved to be able to share the burden of his knowledge, and the three men talked at great length. White Buffalo was convinced that a warning to Badger and his friends would be in order. Still, they had broken no rules. There was nothing to criticize. It was a matter of attitude. And, if one says his attitude is good, and he has broken no rules, who is to call him liar?
    After discussion at great length, it was agreed that there was nothing to be done. In fact, the less talk the better. However, it would be important to watch carefully for any infractions or open defiance of the laws of the People.
    The summer moved on, through the Moon of Thunder and the Red Moon. It was nearly the Moon of Hunting before the next incident occurred.
    Badger and a handful of the young Bloods were on one of their frequent hunts. These expeditions were not productive of much in the way of game. The young men did continue to ask the visions of White Buffalo before the hunt, but they were apparently
ranging far and ignoring good hunting nearby. If they were hunting, Coyote thought grimly, it was not buffalo that they sought.
    Thus, it was no great surprise when the small group of Bloods returned to the band after a three-day absence, without meat, but minus one horse. A severely wounded youth slumped behind one of the other riders, and still another showed minor injuries. One of the other horses limped from an arrow wound in the fleshy part of the hip.
    Excitement rippled through the camp, and word of a council passed immediately. It was a foregone conclusion that the main purpose of the council would be to discipline the miscreants. Yet, despite this common knowledge, the Bloods continued to behave as if they were heroes.
    From the standpoint of the chief, the council that evening was completely unsatisfactory. Neither Heads Off nor even the wily Coyote was able to entrap the young warriors into an admission that they had done anything wrong. They had merely been on a buffalo hunt, with approval of the medicine man. White Buffalo grudgingly acknowledged that this was true.
    It was no fault of the innocent hunters, Badger insisted, that they had encountered a superior force of the enemy. They were lucky to escape with their lives. Still, Badger seemed to take far too much glory in the details of the fight. They had killed one of the Head Splitters and severely wounded another in the skirmish.
    The council adjourned without action on the incident. There was none to take. The Bloods had still broken no rules of the council, and their account of the circumstances of the fight must be respected.
    The Bloods immediately began a victory dance in celebration, much to the disgust of Heads Off.

    Coyote was preoccupied with observing the ceremony. Someone had brought a drum and people began to gather as one of the girls tapped a rhythmic beat with the dogwood beater. The warriors of the Blood Society began the dance, stepping, singing, reenacting not only this but previous skirmishes with the enemy. Each had painted the now familiar broad band of crimson across his forehead.
    The ceremony lasted nearly till dawn, and for