When Passion Calls

every sense of the word they were brothers; the bond between them was stronger than Shane's with his real brother, whose name he had almost forgotten during the years of separation.

So many of his memories had been robbed by the passing of time. Only four years old at the time of his rescue, he had even forgotten his own last name! If he had known the name, he would have gone searching for his true family long ago.

As it was, he had learned to live with one name, with one family of Chippewa. He had never guessed that his life would ever be any different. He had thought to die and be buried in the Chippewa tradition.

Shane doubted if he could ever feel the same about anyone as he did about Red Raven. They had shared their first hunt, the first vision, and how it felt to be with a woman for that first time.

Because of Gray Falcon, Shane and Red Raven would never share anything again.

Shane would never again have good feelings about Gray Falcon, but he would not hate him. Gray Falcon was the son of Chief Standing Tall and the old chief would not want hate between two men who should love one another as brothers.

But Shane would always resent Gray Falcon for separating him from his Chippewa family.

His thirst quenched, Shane rose to his feet. Wanting to delay the parting, he stepped past Red Raven and went to the edge of the butte. The river hurried down the gentle slope of the butte and cut across a wide, fertile pasture alongside a split rail

fence that marched across the land as far as his eye could see.

Shane looked down upon the green river valley that stretched out below him. A feeling of pride swept through him. His father had achieved great things. Everywhere he looked cattle grazed on the soft green grass. He knew of the longhorns that had been introduced to the Land of Many Lakes by boats, which had carried them from a place called Texas.

He had seen longhorns before, but never in this quantity. They made a striking sight. Most were coal-black and clean-limbed, their white horns glistening as if polished. Some had bodies so long their backs swayed; their dewlaps swung in rhythm with their steps. They were mightily antlered and wild-eyed.

Shane looked beyond the cattle. His shoulder muscles tensed when he saw two massive houses in the distance. Flying Wing had pointed out his father's house, and it was as nothing Shane had ever seen before. It was a house built by a man of many riches. Was Shane ready to become a part of such a life?

''My friend, it is time for Red Raven to leave," the young brave said, interrupting Shane's troubled thoughts.

Shane turned slowly to his friend. He willed away the tears that would show signs of weakness in his character. "Yes, it is time to go separate ways," he said, placing his hands on his friend's shoulders. "Though we say farewell you will live within my heart forever. Be happy, Red Raven.

Find a woman and let her fill your dwelling with sunshine. Soon Cedar Maid will be needing a man to warm her bed. Go to her. She will make a good wife."

"Ay-uh. Red Raven has been watching Cedar Maid with interest," Red Raven said, smiling at the thought of her loveliness. "Already I have decided on the bride price I will pay."

Shane's eyes brightened. He dropped his hands to his sides. "You plan to offer a bride price soon?" he asked, his voice displaying much gladness. "You never told me. It is not like you to keep secrets from your blood brother."

Red Raven looked away from Shane, lowering his eyes to the ground. "It was in my plan to tell you soon," he said thickly. "Never did I expect you would be gone when the time came to share this special secret."

Shane doubled a fist at his side. "Nor did I expect to be gone," he growled. "Chief Gray Falcon is the most skilled of all at keeping secrets. He must have known for many moons that he was going to banish me from the village of Chippewa."

"And what of Trapper Dan?" Red Raven asked. "You will still search for him?"

Shane's eyes narrowed in hate. "You ask a question you already have an answer to," he said flatly. He looked determinedly at Red Raven. "Soon I shall travel through these forests until I find the man with the peculiar eyes. I have only temporarily been sidetracked from this quest."

"Your search will be a lonely one without Red Raven riding at your side," Red Raven said, then

suddenly lunged into Shane's arms, hugging him. "Everyone will miss you, Shane. You will come often to see your people, the Chippewa?"

Shane patted Red Raven on the back, then stepped away. "No," he said firmly, again surveying the land of his true father. "It is over. Never will I return. I have been banished. I shall stay away. It is time to begin a new lifea life that was stolen from me when I had seen but four winters."

"You do not mean it!" Red Raven gasped. "You will not return to the Chippewa? Ever? What of your feelings for Cedar Maid? You will miss her. She will miss you!"

"I have spoken," Shane said firmly. "It is up to you to make Cedar Maid forget me. Make her happy, Red Raven. I cannot depend on Gray Falcon to see to her welfare. I believe he sees me every time he looks at her. I cannot trust him where she is concerned."

"I will make things right with her," Red Raven said, nodding.

Shane placed a hand on Red Raven's shoulder. "That is good," he said softly. "That is good."

Shane turned away from Red Raven and once again looked down at the shadowy valley.

"You are eager to see your true father?" Red Raven asked as his eyes followed Shane's steady stare. "You are eager to own the land? The animals?"