Chapter 45

When I finished, he fixed his immense eyes on my left ear lobe. “Win-tay, your words are sincere, but I will reserve what I believe. Even so, I will relay them to my father. Perhaps we willgo to the Seven Council Fires for their counsel in the matter.” He gazed over my shoulder for a full minute. “You are different, Teacher. I don’t know how, but you are.”

“I am a friend to any man who shows me friendship. I prefer efficient peace to wasteful war. In this country, that makes me different.”

“Do you find yourself drawn to me, as I do to you?” he asked bluntly as we rose and shook hands, Indian style. Then he turned and proudly strode away. 9