The Sign of A Warrior: Oregon Valley - Matson Creek Series, #12

By Beverly Kovatch

Alexis life is changing rapidly. Her mother and stepfather sit her down and tell her that the father she believed was dead all these years is alive. All this time Mason Longbow has been living in a village on the other side of a cave.at Heaven's Gate/ 

Heaven's Gate has always been off limits to her and her brother. She never knew why. It was just a piece of land that sat above their cabin.

Now she is being told that they are leaving their home, and heading to this village. She was not excited aobut this move. She was not sure how you are supposed to meet a father that you thought was dead. She was angry and didn't trust anyone, especially her mother.

While collecting wood for the campfire Alexis stumbles upon several Indian Warriors. She listens quietly as they talk. The one Indian's voice seemed so familiar to her. His voice just echoed in her head. She was sure she had heard this voice before.  When he says that he has been searching for his wife and daughter for years she listens a little closer." I will kill that Braxton Hawk if I ever find him for stealing them from me."
From what she heard  this warrior might just be her real father. Possibly Braxton stole her and her mother from him. She is sure, but she wants some answers and it seemed as if this warrior has those answers. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Beverly Kovatch
• Release date: Apr 11, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393776796

Beverly Kovatch

This Author is about as unknown as one can become. She sometimes lives in the past, sometimes in the future, sometimes right in the middle of the present. Her mind wanders from what was to what is to what could be. That is the power of the written and spoken word. There are so many opportunities for so many people, and she wonders why no one seems to seek them out. She lives on a farm in what was once a vast farmland area. A few people still believe in farming, but each year, there seem to be fewer and fewer of them. This past year, it appears that the moral background of the world is rapidly disappearing. It takes hard work to be a farmer nowadays. It is a lot easier to sit back and watch others do it. People have taken this place we call home for granted. The pandemic threw us all for a loop, but it also made some realize that unless we fight for what we believe in, our country, the one we all grew up in, could be lost. It took hard work and determination for us to be where we are, and all of it started with a small dream. You see, everything in life begins with a dream. This Author once dreamt she could one day write a book that others might enjoy reading, and here she is. She has written not one book but more than twenty books. Some people dream of owning just a small piece of land, owning their own little business, raising their families in a free land, a place where we are allowed to say what we feel in our hearts, fight for what we believe in, worship at the church of our choice. These past few years have taught this Author that there is power in our words. Once our words are silenced, we have given up one of our most treasured rights. It is my hope, my dream, that the power that you, my readers, have within you will never be silenced. The dreams you hold inside will always be fulfilled, and that you will always and forever … Keep on Dreaming!

Book preview

Chapter One

ALEXIS TOOK THE HAND of Wanape and followed him into the teepee. It was not at all like she had expected, nor was it something grand and glorious. It was a plain Indian house just like her mother’s and her grandfather’s.

There was fur hanging from the walls as if it were insulating them from the cold but she was shivering.

Put wood on fire he barked off at her as if she were his slave.

Put wood on the fire yourself she barked back at him. The look on his face was not one of approval of her back talk that was for sure. She could just hear her mother’s voice. Alexis and her look of disapproval. Respect your elders, she would say. Do as you’re told she would say. The voice rang in her ears as she picked up the logs that were sitting at the side of the tent and threw them into the fire. It sparked up fast and soon warmth filled the air.

Wanape looked at this strange child of his. She had been so small when he last saw her. She had been just a baby. Had it been so many years? He did not think so and yet, she did resemble the Alexis he remembered. The blue eyes of Mason Longbow the half-breed were staring back at him. He wondered what this man would do to get his real child away from him.

He sat and closed his eyes and smelled the burning smell of wood as it warmed the teepee. Suddenly in walked a small woman with a child strapped to her back. She could not have been too much older than herself. Her long straight dark brown hair hung to her waist. It had a slight wave to it much like her mother’s she thought. Wanape spoke to her in a language that Alexis had heard her mother speak once in a while to Braxton when she didn’t want her or her brother knowing what was being said. With time and a little help from Parker she had picked up a few of the words but he spoke it much too fast.

The woman unstrapped the baby from her back and laid him on the floor near the fire. He immediately started fussing. He didn’t want to be strapped in so tightly. Wanape motioned for her to pick him up, so she walked over and unstrapped him from the carrier.  He was a big boy and struggled hard to get out of Alexis' hands. Slow down buckaroo, she said to him smiling. He reminded her of Jaxson when he was just a baby.  Maybe it was just those dark brown eyes looking at everything, and wanting to just put his fat little legs on the ground to run that made her think of her half-brother.

Now was not the time to reminisce she thought as she saw the stern eyes of Wanape and handed the baby back to the woman.

Why have you not married? Is there something wrong with you that a warrior does not wish to make you his wife? he asked.

There is nothing wrong with me she replied and who says that I am not married? she asked thinking it might not be a good thing to let him think that she might not be married. 

She thought that she could lie and say that she was married, but then what would he ask next. He may ask her why her husband allowed her in the woods alone, or who was he? What if he didn’t approve? She could say Grey Storm was her husband, but again what would he do? Would he have him killed? She had already heard many stories about Wanape and Kawani his father.

If I am married what would you do to my husband? she asked trying to feel him out before confirming or denying anything.

The great Wanape smiled and nodded his head. I am not sure. He replied. I would have to see if he is worthy. Do I have any grandchildren? he asked next.

He was clever she thought. If she answered no to being married and yes to having children then she could be banished or worse. She knew one thing for sure unmarried with children was taboo in this Indian world.

She could tell he wanted solid answers from her and he knew she was playing this game with him.

She thought she could lie and say yes that she and Grey Storm had a daughter and play off that Lily belonged to them instead of Rebecca and Braxton, but that would just dig the hole deeper that she was already in.  It could save her if she said yes to both of his questions. When would he ever run into Grey Storm, never she hoped.

You have not answered me. He said more determined that she answer him.  Surely she would not dishonor her family in such a way as to have a child and not be married, or widowed like his new wife.

She wondered if she answered him and said yes she was married, and had a child, and needed to go back to them if he would let her.  Yet as frightened as she was she did not wish to leave until she had her answers.

I cannot tell you these answers she replied. If I were to tell you, you would kill the ones that I love. All the while knowing if she lied and said she was married to Grey Storm he might have him captured and tortured or killed. She would have to live with his death being a fault of her lies.

You are so afraid of this? You do not think that your father would be fair in his judgment?

She was now just stalling. She could say yes and not bring in Grey Storm’s name at all, but he was too smart for that, and she knew it.

I do not know what to think of my father. I do not know him.  She replied trying hard to show no fear even though she was about as frightened as she could get. He may decide that he does not like any man who may have been chosen and have him killed, or worse he may put him into a fight with another warrior and have him kill him instead. I do not know the ways of your people. I do not know how your people choose a husband for a chief’s child or grandchild.

Wanape let out a loud laugh. Your grandfather had a say in this matter I would hope. He replied to her.

My grandfather? she replied. What may I ask would he have to say in the matter?

Has your mother taught you nothing? I would expect so much more from her. Your grandfather would be the one to choose your mate when your father is not around. He said implying that his absence would then go to her grandfather to choose.

You are much too old to not have a husband and a family of your own. I would have chosen someone for you years ago.  I am ashamed that she has not taught you these things. Every child of a warrior must have a chosen mate by this time. If you are not married then this failure to do his job falls on Braxton.

Braxton is not my father and he never will be. She spouted off with sudden pent-up anger at her step-father. He will never choose for me. I will choose for myself before I would allow him to tell me who I would marry.

Wanape shook his head. She was a spitfire just like her mother, but insolence he would not approve of. He slapped her across the face. Do not speak to me in this tone or manner. He said angrily as she moved away from him, now frightened. No man had ever hit her in this manner and she was taken by surprise.

Do not speak like this again to your father. He said. I will choose a husband for you, and you will marry just as I have said.  He stood and walked out of the teepee just as the small woman returned.

Alexis then realized what she had just done. In her anger, she had given him the information he was seeking. He knew that she was not married.  He was now going to choose someone for her, and she was pretty sure that he would not be at all like Grey Storm. Even though she had been repulsed by Grey Storm’s actions, he was way better than any of the men she had seen in this village so far.

The young woman entered the teepee. She had meat in her hand as Wanape walked by her. He said something else to her and she nodded.

You must not anger him like that. She said in English.

Who are you and what did he just say to you? Alexis asked.

I am his wife, she answered. I am Lakoda.

Lakoda that is a lovely name, you are much too young to be his wife though. She replied.

I am seventeen, I am not young. She replied to Alexis.

Seventeen, you are my age. She replied. The young woman looked surprised when she said that to her.

Why are you not married with children then? I was at least fifteen when my father chose a husband for me.

Fifteen, you must be kidding?

I do not understand, what is this kidding? All tribal women marry at much younger ages than that.  When my husband was killed a few months ago I was chosen to be the wife of Wanape. My husband died in battle and Wanape’s father felt I would be a good wife for another warrior.

Is the baby your son by Wanape or your other husband? she asked.

He belonged to Akawa. Wanape took both of us in. He said he would make Sanji a good and strong warrior just like his father.

I am sorry.

Do not be sorry. Sanji will never know his real father, but Wanape is a good man and he will be a good father. You should not make him angry at you. You are his daughter and he only wants the very best for you.

Wanape returned and brought with him, several warriors.  They sat around the fire and smoked a pipe and talked. She felt very uncomfortable as he laughed and pointed at her. Some of the men made remarks and she could tell that they were saying she was old just what was wrong with her.  Wanape shook his head and she heard the names of Braxton and Rebecca mentioned several times.  Were these the men he was choosing between? Alexis did not know what to think of this whole thing. She also knew that she did not wish to marry some warrior from this tribe either. If these were her choices then Grey Storm was looking much better to her right now.

Wanape looked up at her. His stern face made her realize that she should not be listening to their conversation not that she understood all of it. She had picked up several names though one being Mason Longbow. Some of the men grunted when the name was mentioned. Why would he bring up his name in conversation with these men she wondered?"

Lakoda took her hand and led her to the back of the teepee. You must be careful she whispered to her.

You cannot interfere with the warriors when they are talking. I will teach you how you must behave so that you do not spark the wrath of Wanape or his father. It would not be good for you if you do. They are not above punishing the wife or children of Wanape. You must learn to be silent and obey.

Alexis felt sad for Lakoda, was that her life to just be silent and obey? What kind of life was that for any woman?