There’s no point in keeping it from him. I tell him everything—about the men who pursued me, the knife that was thrown, the third person waiting in ambush, and how I recognized the voice of Sharp Teeth, Udagehi’s father. A look comes over my big uncle’s face like a dark cloud. White Raven has always been known to be peaceful, but he is also very large and strong. I have heard it said that no one ever wants to face his anger—like the anger that is darkening his eyes right now. I worry for a moment if he is thinking about taking revenge on Sharp Teeth. Then another look comes over White Raven’s face as his thoughts take him in another direction. I remember how this uncle of mine has also become known for his political skills, for working with people rather than opposing them.

He reaches out a hand to pull me to my feet.

“Come along, nephew,” he says, determination in his voice. “First we take you home to your mother. Then, when my brother returns from his travels, we will speak with your father and our village chief. It is time we found a way to put an end to this foolishness.”

CHAPTER 22

The Village Chief’s Visit

Several more days have passed. Each day both Yugi and I have gone to work with my father at his wife’s cabin—being careful to always stay on the main road and avoiding any of the small trails where someone might lie in wait. Am I afraid? No, I am not afraid. I am like my father. I am becoming a man and so I am not afraid. Instead, I am determined.

It’s a bright morning. A sun as golden as the one on the quilt our mothers made is shining in through the window. As Yugi and I sit at the table, practicing our writing under my father’s gentle guidance—and with the help of my somewhat annoying but bright little sister, Ahyokah—a voice calls from outside.

“Oginawlee, my friend,” the voice calls. “Are you home? It is me, Agili.”

Agili is our village chief.

My father stands and limps over to open the door, a smile on his face. “Welcome,” he says. “Wado. Thank you for coming. Come in.”

It is not a surprise that Agili has arrived. I am the one who was sent yesterday to invite him to come to see my father because there was something important that Sequoyah wished to share.

Agili had listened to my invitation, a serious look on his face. Then, just as my father had said he would do, he had run his finger along his nose three times and nodded.

“Tell my cousin,” Agili had said, “that I will meet him tomorrow morning at his wife’s house.”