*Isabella*
The creak of the wagon wheels’ monotonous lullaby starkly contrasts with the chaotic howls and traditional camp songs that still echo in my ears. Last night, several of the packs travelin’ west got together on the outskirts of St. Louie for a final farewell. Chet and I communicated through the mind-link and stolen glances across the campfire, surrounded by both our families and friends.
The wild west feels so close and yet still so far away as we travel northwest through corn and wheat fields today.
While I ride with Chet during the day, I still spend my evenin’s with Ma, Pa, Alice, and Robert. My older brother is almost always with the cattle now. For some reason, I get a funny feelin’ about spendin’ the night with Chet. Maybe it’s because we ain’t really, ceremonially hitched yet. Or maybe it’s just cause he ain’t asked me to yet. Either way, I daydream of the day that I
*Isabella*October, 1885Acrid smoke singes my nostrils. My lids heavy, I blink, trying to open my eyes. Even as slits, they burn from the gray cloud all around me. Faint sizzling crackles in my ears. The fire is close, so near I can feel the lick of flames devouring the ends of my fur.The breeze carries shouts, screams, and howls of both the terrorized and the taunting variety. I struggle not only to regain my vision, but to remember what happened before the incessant pain that radiates up my left side sent me careening into darkness.It all comes flying back to me with a force strong enough to topple the most formidable warrior. Shock from the memories so vividly displayed in my mind has my eyes flying open wide. I scan through the wall of smoke, looking for any signs of hope. Is anyone else alive?The wind ripples what’s left of the prairie grass on the edge of the forest, ash and fury whipping around the destruction before me. Bare feet flash by, followed by bloodied paws. I mana
*Isabella*March, 1885“It’s an irrational decision.” My pa lowers his mug to the table, setting it down slowly where others would slam it in frustration. His black mustache has a waxy sheen in the light of the fireplace to his right, the left side of his face cast in shadow. Next to him, my ma shifts in her chair, her fingers knit together on the dining room table. I know that expression on her face, the one she wears when she wants to speak but knows my pa is handling the situation by himself. Any word from her would be cast aside by the other men in the room. My uncle, my ma’s brother, sits with his arms folded over his chest. Our neighbor, Mr. Casper, narrows his eyes, unhappy with my pa’s assertion but not sure how to respond. My older brother and my aunt also occupy chairs around our dining room table.“It’s the only decision that makes sense,” Uncle Tim replies. He has always been the sort to speak before he thinks. Now is no exception. When he is out of sorts, he’s likely to m
*Isabella*“Do you think we’re really staying?” Alice whispers next to me in the dark. “Or will Uncle Tim talk Pa into taking us west?”I let out a sigh and readjust on the bed we share. Across the room, I can hear Robert’s breaths and know he’s still awake. He used to share that bed with Joseph before our older brother became too sophisticated to sleep upstairs with us youngins. He sleeps on the cot next to the table now. Our parents’ bedroom is the only other room upstairs. I know they are lying awake now, too, talking about what happened.“We ain’t going,” I tell Alice. She lets out a sigh, and I know she’s glad to hear that I don’t think we’ll be leaving the only home either of us has ever known. “You won’t have to say goodbye to your friends any time soon.”“Good.” She yawns and rolls over, and I know it’s all settled in her little mind. So easy. So simple. We will stay, and that is that.Robert shifts, too, and I have to wonder if he’s not thinking similar thoughts to the ones c
*Isabella*Dust rises up off the road, clogging our lungs and coating our tongues. Even though we’re walking on the raised sidewalk that runs along the outside of the shops to keep our boots out of the horse muck, it hasn’t rained much yet this spring, and the grit in my eyes is proof we are due a nice thunderstorm.“Where are we going, Ma?” Alice whines, darting forward toward our mother so quickly she near pulls my shoulder out of its socket. Keeping a good grip on her hand, I tug her back. “Sis said we aren’t going west.”“That was before.” Ma’s words are clipped. She doesn’t even turn her head to look at us. “We’re just going to listen.”On my other side, Robert huffs under his breath but says nothing. I wish I hadn’t promised them anything last night. I’d felt defeated myself and thought there was little chance of us ever leaving this place only to have everything turned on its head when our cousin was killed.“We’re doin’ more than that.” Joseph, who is a good four feet behind u
*Isabella*The bell on the door rings above me as I push through the opening to the general store, dragging Robert and Alice along. Normally, they’d want to come in here. Ma gave me two dimes to buy them licorice, but they’re so worked up about what we’re missing at the meeting, it takes the scent of sweets wafting from the front counter to remind them that they actually get a treat. “Go on,” I tell them, giving them a little shove. “Go pick out somethin’ that’ll last you.”Both of them take off running, nearly toppling a display of jars of lard on top of a barrel. I swear under my breath, but they make it through without causing a disaster. Shaking my head, I follow them to the front counter where Mrs. Nancy Williams greets them with a chuckle. She’s better natured than most or else she’d have ‘em both by the ear.Her husband, Mr. Bernard Williams, isn’t so nice. Thankfully, he’s busy. I hear his voice across the store and step around the lard display to see him standing over by wher
*Chet*I know that my cousins and younger brother will chastise me the moment we step away from the beautiful girl in the shop, and I am not wrong. Hell, they started the moment she looked in my direction, shouting out their rude thoughts in a language I was thankful she doesn’t understand.We head outside, and it’s my brother, Mowanza, who is the first to make a snide remark, speaking in our native Shaconage tongue. “She was pretty, but she won’t make it fifty miles.”I turn and glare at him. “Watch it, Mo.” I am in no mood to put up with his nonsense at the moment as I go over my conversation with the girl again and again. Why do people take such stupid risks? Why would guides act so foolishly?“Yeah, Mo,” our cousin, Howahkan agrees, but I know he is about to switch sides. “Don’t speak ill of the dead.”I turn and give Kan a playful shove, making him laugh. He is two years older than me at twenty-three and has always been thin as a rail until about a year ago when he finally starte
*Isabella*The sound of my sister and brother slurping on their candy rubbed me the wrong way as I navigate the dusty walkway outside. Ma and Pa had told us to just come on home once they had their candy, assuming they’d be done with their meetin’ by then. But when we walk outside of the general store, I see our parents a few paces ahead of us and rush after them, draggin’ Robert and Alice along.“Keep it in yer mouth or else it’ll get coated in dirt,” Robert advises Alice.“My mouth ain’t as big as yours,” she replies.“Come on. We gotta catch Ma and Pa.” I give her arm a tougher yank, and she yelps. Recognizing the sound, Ma turns her head. “What’s the matter, Alice?”“She’s got lead for feet,” I answer. “Pa, I need to talk to you.” All the information Chet shared with me gets tangled in my brain as I try to remember all the important facts. Pa probably don’t need to know how he smelled like an endless field of golden grain, but he does need to know about the game.“What is it, Izz
*Isabella*“You know that ain’t a fair price, Mac,” Harry says from the other side of the fence that acts as a corral. Behind him, a whole buncha cows are mooin’ and rushin’ around, stirrin’ up clouds of dust. Pa and him would be nose to nose if he weren’t so much shorter than pa. The negotiation seems to be breakin’ down.I don’t like to listen to people haggle. Always makes me feel a little desperate and cheap, like maybe if I can’t afford what the fella’s askin’, I shouldn’t be buyin’, so I wander away, leavin’ Joseph and Uncle Tim with Pa. I see a young calf followin’ behind its mama, and it makes me smile.“You like the baby cow?” a warm tenor voice says over my shoulder. “Think he’s cute? That’s what most girls think about, right? Not eatin’ ‘em.”I turn to see a pair of cattle hands who
*Isabella*The creak of the wagon wheels’ monotonous lullaby starkly contrasts with the chaotic howls and traditional camp songs that still echo in my ears. Last night, several of the packs travelin’ west got together on the outskirts of St. Louie for a final farewell. Chet and I communicated through the mind-link and stolen glances across the campfire, surrounded by both our families and friends.The wild west feels so close and yet still so far away as we travel northwest through corn and wheat fields today.While I ride with Chet during the day, I still spend my evenin’s with Ma, Pa, Alice, and Robert. My older brother is almost always with the cattle now. For some reason, I get a funny feelin’ about spendin’ the night with Chet. Maybe it’s because we ain’t really, ceremonially hitched yet. Or maybe it’s just cause he ain’t asked me to yet. Either way, I daydream of the day that I
*Isabella*Billy was up to no good, I could sense it as I approached the pair. When she saw me, a look of relief washed over the face of the woman Billy had lured into the alley.“What’s goin’ on over here?” I accused him as she took the opportunity to sprint past me and back to the busy street.“Thanks a lot!” Billy growled. “Why’d ya run her off?” He slurred his words under the influence of Moon Goddess only knows how much whiskey.“‘Cuz she wasn’t interested in bein’ here with you! That’s why she ran,” I pointed out. “What are you thinkin’ anyway?” I asked, instantly wishing I had turned and ran with the woman. Somethin’ in Billy’s eyes let me know he was in a huntin’ mood, and women were his choice of prey.Billy walked toward m
*Chet* I stand before my father, Alpha Achack Galvlo, leader of Shaconage pack. When he spoke to me through the mind-link early this morning, I was shocked. He shouldn’t be here, not this far from his territory. Leaving Unega to explore St. Louis alone was incredibly difficult but I knew better than to disobey my father’s wishes. Begrudgingly, I rode Sine into the forest and here I stand. "My son," he says, embracing me in warmth. “It has been too long since I have seen you. “Your mother sends her love.” “What are you doing here?”“A meeting with other Alphas is taking place nearby. I had no plans to attend, but with the rogue situation peaking, I decided it was best for our pack. I thought I spotted your party. I have something to give you.”He extends his hand. I extend mine, confused. “Herbs?”“Healing herbs. Trying times are upon us.”I cradle the herbs for a moment before slipping them into my satchel. “You shouldn’t be this far east. You should have sent warriors in your st
*Isabella*St. Louis is amazing! I can’t believe all the sights and sounds. It’s what I imagine a county fair would be like, not that I ever been to one of them. Our family walks together down a crowded street, smellin’ all kinds of savory and sweet treats from street vendors. Shop windows are full of beautiful fabric and other trinkets. I see expensive jewelry and high end musical instruments. I pause to look at a violin in the window of one of the stores. I always wanted to learn to play the fiddle.“Come on, Izzy.” Robert tugs on my hand. “Pa said we can get some candy.”“Oh, you and yer candy,” I say with a laugh. I remember what it was like to be young and always wantin’ somethin’ sweet in my mouth, though. Now, Chet’s sweet enough for me. Still, I let my little brother tug me along.“Let’s go in here and look at the fabric,” Ma says to Pa. She kno
*Isabella*I ain’t never seen nothin’ like St. Louey. We got some big cities back closer to home, but this is amazin’. I can see so many big buildings on the other side of the river, I can hardly contain myself.“Are you feeling well, Unega?” Chet asks from beside me on the wagon. “You’re smiling so big, I’d think your face would be sore.”I giggle. “I’m fine. I’m better than fine. I can’t wait to get over there and see what they’ve got to trade. I bet Alice and Robert will beg Ma and Pa for some candy, and I’d love to see if I can find some new fabric.”“I’m sure they will have a lot of interesting items,” he says with a nod. “But be careful not to trade away the items you will need for the packs out in the wide plains.”He’s not wrong, of course. I nod. “I know. Still… I wanna go in all the
*Chet*I am filled in about what happened by overhearing Mrs. Mackenzie shouting in the back of the wagon to her husband as Unega serves all of us a nice breakfast. My friends are thankful for a woman’s good cooking. She says it’s the least they can do since we’ve been so helpful.Robert and Alice eat in near silence. It seems they haven’t quite woken up yet. I like to watch Unega interact with them. She will make a good mother one day, a mother to my children.After Mrs. Mackenzie is done telling him about how Sanders and Burns tried to make everyone go off without waiting for us, she tells him about how Unega and Takoda got the wagon train to stop. Takoda’s absence is felt, but I’m not surprised he’s with Genevieve. I can see the two of them ending up together.Eventually, Mac comes out of the wagon. Unega wordlessly hands her father a plate of warm food, and he nods his thanks. His wife stays insi
*Isabella*Ma’s been sittin’ up all night with the shotgun clutched in her arms. She’s on the seat of the wagon, starin’ out at the distance to her right as I get up and start tendin’ the fire. I know she’s watchin’ for Pa.Last night, she was afraid Sanders was gonna come cause trouble while Pa was away. He didn’t, but then, who would mess with my ma when she’s sittin’ there, armed, ready to unload.I get some coffee and bacon going before I approach her. “Ma? You wanna go rest?” I say quietly, not wantin’ to alarm her and end up accidentally shot. “I can manage.”“Yer pa will be here soon,” she says, her voice hoarse from bein’ up all night. “He just told me they’re movin’ the wagons out. They’re only a half a mile or so away.”“Good. Rest up. Ain’t no one gonna mess with us now,” I assure her, but we both turn our heads in the direction of Sanders and Burns’s wagon. I see smoke, and where there’s smoke, there’s fire, but he has to
*Chet*Getting the wagons across the river at the place I’ve shown to Mac is no trouble whatsoever. It’s the second day of our journey away from the smaller group of wagons when we hit the shallowest point, and I tell him, “This is where they should cross,” through the mind-link.He nods and looks to the sky. “We’ve got a couple more hours of daylight. Reckon we can get everyone across?”Before I answer I take a few steps into the water. It barely covers my paws, so I wade deeper. The river is wider here than it was at the point where Sanders had the other wagons cross, but it’s not deep, and by the time I’m in the center of the body of water, I’m able to stand on the bottom of the riverbend and keep my head above water. “Yes.”I come back to meet Kan and Mo on the shore while Mac steps behind a tree to shift and get dressed. When I am close enough to my friends, I shake
*Isabella*On the second day of our traveling separate from the majority of the wagons, I’m growing restless. Ma made me sleep most of the day before, or try to, anyhow. It wasn’t easy to sleep in the back of the wagon with all the ruts and whatnot. I have no idea how my brother does it so well.Today, I’m sittin’ right next to her in the wagon as the sun is startin’ to go down. We should be seein’ the others soon enough. I know we’re in mind-link range because Ma’s been talking to Pa, and I’ve checked in with Chet a few times. I don’t wanna be a distraction. He’s got an important job to do, makin’ sure everyone goes the right direction. Still, I’ll be excited to see him again soon.“We should be just about to where they’re gonna cross, once they reach this spot,” Ma says, lookin’ way ahead of us. “Yer pa said they’ve cut back to the we