Salem's Fury (Vengeance Trilogy Book 2) by Aaron Galvin

leave. Along the way, cook fires burn, babies cry, and an occasional brave steps from his home to relieve himself.
    The signs of my village stirring hasten my step through the palisade opening. I head east toward the riverbank, watching the first rays of sunlight sparkle on the water.
    A noise from inside the woods, liken to a fawn frightened from its resting place, halts me. The sound does not drive deeper into the forest like an animal should, nor does it grow quiet like a startled person might. Instead the sound continues, thrashing.
    I draw my long dagger. My pulse quickens as I enter the thicket, soundless and sure as Father taught me. I do not travel far before discovering the noise source.
    Spinning and stumbling, Ciquenackqua dances around a weak fire.
    I crouch behind an old oak in silent watch.
    Three times Ciquenackqua dances around the fire before I understand he means to imitate Father’s movements, but he has not yet mastered control of his body. His feet do not lift in time and he near trips himself.
    He stops and kicks the ground, frustration crossing his face. I think to laugh, and remind him he is not yet such a renowned brave.
    The thought vanishes when he sits hard upon the ground and puts his face in his hands, his back shuddering.
    My mind reminds me pity is for the weak.
    My spirit reaches out to one who would practice the war dance alone, as I often have. Shame washes over me that I should witness such a private act.
    I rise from my position, and creep away so that he will not hear.
    I sprint for the riverbank after emerging from the woods.
    Our overturned canoes line the shore. I grin at the sight of them and revel at the thought I will soon share one with Father, the pair of us riding the stream downriver with the other men.
    I slip off my moccasins and wade into the frigid water, stopping when it reaches my knees.
    Small fish scatter as I enter their domain, clouding their home.
    I bend low and dip my hands. I palm handfuls of sand into them then scrub my arms, neck, and face until all feel raw and flush red. I wonder what the warpath holds for me. What it must feel like to take a man’s life. If I will hesitate at the killing time, or commit the act as Father would have me do.
    The cold seeps into my skin, a reminder I should not linger. Already, braves head toward the canoes carrying dried meat, robes, and weapons.
    Splashing myself clean, I hurry back to the shore and fetch my moccasins. I run to our village and round the palisades to find our village thrives with braves gathering their things and saying their goodbyes.
    The flurry of activity catches me as well. I waste no time in sprinting for my home.
    Numees and Deep River pass me along the way. She opens her mouth as if she would speak.
    Instead, Deep River ushers her stay with him.
    I gather that I have missed something, but continue on my way.
    The surrounding noise lessens as I yank back the flap and enter my home.
    Sarah sits beside the fire, her Bible lying open in her lap. She glances up, her eyes red with tears. “Did Priest find you?”
    I dislike the tone of her question. One that warns I will like her reasoning behind it even less. “No,” I reply. “I have not seen him since the dancing fire. Why do you ask?”
    Sarah looks again on her Bible. “He and I spoke much after his decision. All night, in truth.”
    I think back at how Numees looked on me and what her face said that she could not bring herself to speak, nor Deep River allow her to.
    “You would talk him from it,” I say. “Ask him not to make war on the Iroquois?”
    “No,” she says. “He is a war chief. His duty calls him to protect the people. I could not sway him from such a task, even if I desired it more than anything else in the world. And to change his decision now would make him seem weak.”
    “Then what decision do you speak of?” I ask.
    Sarah wavers before answering me, casting her gaze to earth. “I asked him renounce his claim for your