And Jennie, in full Osage regalia, but with some additions; a kind of shell necklace he knew was only supposed to be worn by men, a beaded Tzi-sho eagle feather braided into the hair on one side of her head, and a beaded Hunkah feather on the other, a modified warrior’s roach, and some other things that she didn’t wear to the powwows—

And over all that, a bird. A kestrel.

And the second and third images were a lot stronger than the “real” one.

The Little People slowly raised their eyes, and stared instead at Jennie, and David began to hope that maybe he wasn’t going to die after all.

One of the Little People straightened up from his crouch. He stood much taller than Jennie; he must have been at least six feet in height, and towered over her, but she didn’t seem the least intimidated.

He said something in what David recognized as Osage; he didn’t know much of the language, but it was Siouan in derivation, and he knew Lakotah. He understood just enough to get the basics.

You have interfered with our hunt. This is our rightful prey.

She shook her head, and replied in the same tongue.

David didn’t understand any of what she said, and it was a fairly long speech. The rest of the Little People straightened and surrounded her, looking down at her, ignoring him.

Oh, please don’t make them mad, Jennie. I don’t think kung fu, or whatever it is you know, works on them.

Finally she finished with something he vaguely understood. Sorry about this, but he’s with me. He’s a little stupid, please forgive him.

He didn’t know whether to kiss or kick her. Maybe he’d better not do either. They might not like it.

The leader looked down at her, taking her measure; looked down at David, and there was no mistaking the contempt in his eyes. Finally he raised his chin in agreement, though it was obvious that he did so grudgingly. The glitter in his eyes spoke volumes. Here was a man, saved by a woman who was more warrior than he was, at least in the estimation of the Little People.

David felt his ears reddening.

The leader folded his arms across his chest, and slowly faded from view; the rest of the Little People followed him a heartbeat later. And the strange triple vision of Jennie faded as well, leaving only the Jennie he knew.

David finally remembered to breathe.

He thought that Jennie would say something, probably scathing, but she ignored him. Instead, she tucked her feathers back into her coat and returned to the place where he’d been crouching, and dropped down to sit on her heels and stare at the medicine-pouch he’d found. …