New Year's Resolution Book Page 8

I stared at him. "What do you mean, gone?"

It was Wise Owl who replied. "It is the way of some people. Perhaps they lost children in the winter to the harsh weather. Perhaps they lost people in raids or battles. Many of the people of the plains replenish their numbers by raiding. They steal women and children to replace those lost. I do not know this is what happened but I suspect it to be so."

They stood in silence for a few moments. Running Bear looked so grief stricken I wa moved to act. "How many were in the main party?"

Prompted by my question, he quickly replied, "Perhaps 15 or 20."

"Too many for just the too of us. But we must try. Let us pursue them with all haste and perhaps we can catch them before they get too far.  Who else can we take?"

"Nobody will join you," interjected Wise Owl. "It is not our way."

"I don't understand. They took Running Bears sister and many other loved ones! Do you not wish to rescue them?"

"There will be much grief at their passing fom our circle, yet tha is how it must be. We are not strong enough to pursue them. Even should we overtake them and recover our loved ones in battle, much harm would befall us. Many strong men would fall, men we are not able to replace. No, Man Full of Anger, I will not allow you to bring this devastation on us."

"I will go," said Running Bear. Without waiting to hear Wise Owl's reaction he turned and made his way towards the path the raiders had approached on. 

I started to follow but was stopped by the hand of Wise Owl falling upon my shoulder. "I ask of you not to do this. Already you are changing the ways of the young ones. You will bring destruction upon us. Should Running Bear die in this pursuit, his loss will be felt for many years.  It will be even worse should your pursuit be successful, however."

I looked at him in stunned amazement. "How could it be worse to actually rescue those taken?"

His face bore a sadness such as I had never seen. "Life is difficult, Man Full of Anger. One must learn to deal with loss. Yet you would have my people refuse to accept loss. You dispense death without giving it a second thought yet do not return to the circle of those you slew the opportunity to make good their loss. You will upset the balance."

I shook my head in disgust. "You speak glibly of loss, old man, but it ws not you who lost a wife or sister." I snorted derisively. " In a sense, I myself lost more than you. Just a few hours ago you were telling me it was my duty to accept your customs and take her as my wife. Now you tell me she is gone, let her go. I cannot do that. I will not do that. To do so would be an insult to my friend Running Bear."

"To do less is to insult the entire community."

His reply fell on deaf ears. I spun on my heel and began running after Running Bear. He said words which I ignored, pretending not to hear, but they burned deep into my skull and would haunt me for many days. As I ran, I heard him whisper, "You are wrong, Man Full of Anger. I lost more than anyone for I have lost my son."