The Roar of the Falls: My Journey with Kaya

Kaya and I look at each other in astonishment. Where did they go? Kaya shakes her head and says Toe-ta would’ve come for them if they were going to move the horses. We stand in the middle of the dusty clearing and silence falls around us, heavy and complete. My skin crawls. There’s an eerie feeling in the empty space, as if the land itself is holding its breath.

Kaya suggests we go back to camp. Maybe Toe-ta has returned there as well. I hug myself with my arms and a pang of homesickness stabs me in the throat. All of a sudden, all I want is for Dad to give me a hug. But he’s not here either, and the thought makes the ache in my chest even worse.

We mount the gray horse double and begin the ride back to camp. My arms and legs ache from the day’s work, and the jostling of the horse seems endless, each step sending a fresh twinge through my tired muscles. I cling tightly to Kaya, watching the trail ahead for any sign of trouble. Finally, I hear the falls begin to roar and see the spiky tops of the tepees, and relief washes over me at the familiar sight.

We leave the horse in the pasture at the top of the flatland. Kaya says she doesn’t see Toe-ta’s stallion, but there are many horses and we don’t want to search for long. When we come into camp, we hear Long Legs barking. Brown Deer calls Kaya over and everyone huddles around us. They were so worried about us!

Eetsa says she’s relieved we are safe. We spot Raven sitting nearby with Kautsa bending over him. A long scratch trickles blood down his cheek. Kaya asks him what happened, and he says enemy raiders from the plains crept up on them after we went to the spring. Two of the raiders held Raven and the others back with arrows while the rest made off with the herd. They’re heading for the hills. Toe-ta and Jumps Back went after them. Raven tried to find us, but couldn’t, and then ran back to camp to send the other warriors.

Kaya and I stare at each other wide-eyed. We narrowly missed a raid! Kautsa says we are fortunate girls. If we were there when the raiders attacked, we might’ve been taken, too.

My heart gives a double-thump. Carried off by raiders, and then what? I check to make sure my bracelet, my only link to home, is still there. And it is. My fingers tremble as I trace the familiar shape of it. I feel shaky suddenly and sink down gratefully.

Kaya says she’s worried about Jumps Back and Toe-ta. She looks almost on the verge of tears. Kautsa assures us that they are strong and courageous warriors, and will be back soon.