FULL NOVELXO Chapter CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
New Ojibwe Members
As Captain Manthey watched, sitting with bound legs, side by side with Private Patrick on the porch of the great hall, the Indian warriors came back into the clearing. Some were carrying unconscious figures, their arms and legs dangling, which they deposited onto the porch next to the two. They all appeared to be soldiers, except for one lank figure in an expensive suit, and with a long blonde ponytail. They did not bother to bind them.
The women of the tribe came riding on horseback into the clearing, dismounting smoothly and freeing the horses to graze at will about the clearing. These horses were trained to come at a whistle, and were otherwise let free to do as they would, since the Ojibwe did not believe in bondage of either man nor beast.
The medicine mage, Jafiro, also returned, flanked by Nikan and the massive Wulf. All the tribe was in a jovial mood, and immediately started up a huge fire in the center of the clearing, with roasting spits loaded with joints of meat, and large wooden barrels of home-brewed ale and cider set out and tapped. One brave started singing a song by the fire, and others joined in with the infectious melody.
Even Captain Manthey found himself tapping his foot along to the music. Nikan came up, along with Wulf, both carrying large flagons of ale in each hand. After Nikan had produced a large knife and cut the bonds on both of the captives legs, they each handed a foaming jack to the Captain and the Private, along with a smile.
The slim yet sumptuous form of Trina came up, refilling the nearly drained mugs they held from a large pitcher. Wulf took a huge draught, and clasped Trina about the supple waist possessively. Jafiro had gone back into the Great Hall, probably to commune in thanks to the Great Spirit on behalf of the tribe. Major Lee Anthony, still in uniform, but carrying a huge drinking jack of ale, came creaking along on the boards of the porch. He spoke to Captain Roger Manthey and Jimmy.
“Tell these others, when they regain their senses,” he said. “This is a wonderful, humane land. You can stay here among us, an equal, or you can return whence you came. We hold no captives here! This is a place where each man, or woman, can live in peace and contentedness among one another. A place where we constantly train for war, and so are ready to live unmolested in peace, as the Great Spirit intends us to live. The Land of the Ojibwe, the true Land of the Free! Yes, you may choose: to live here among us, away from civilized decadence and political correctness, where taxes are not existent, and all are free to determine their own destiny. Only to unite in defense or attack in times of war are we obligated- other than that, all are free to do as they will.”
Captain Manthey and Jimmy looked about the clearing, where singing and dancing native men and women smiled and laughed, rejoicing in this latest victorious defense of their nation. They saw the small native children, toddling about, dancing in imitation of the older people, being watched over lovingly by the older natives of the tribe, both men and women. The clean, sun-dappled clearing with its massive log buildings and well-organized structure was a wholesome backdrop.
Jimmy thought of his own upbringing- falling into crime at a young age, living on the streets of a big city, ignored and unloved. The army had been his only chance to escape. Captain Roger remembered his strict parents, the whippings he had endured since an early age, until he finally ran away and joined the army, just to have a “family”. A glance shot between them, and finally Roger spoke, as Jimmy nodded.
“You are saying we have a choice? I say no, not that we will not stay, but I for one realize now that there is no choice. America has been corrupted, and is sliding towards decadence.” He looked over to where a large group of native women were dancing together, lean and fit. Several smiled over towards him and Private Jimmy. Captain Roger reflected that he had never had time for a family, what with the demands of his career. He knew that the youthful private was too young to have had a family yet.
“I will stay here!” he announced. “And I believe that Jimmy here will, as well,” to which Private Jimmy, who was a man of very few words, nodded vigorously. “What’s more, I will endeavor, along with Major Lee Anthony, to convince these others,” he pointed to the several young soldiers, the newscaster Danny Roberts, and even the old General Ronald Williams, all lying unconscious, “to do likewise. Anything else would be foolish.”