THE FORGOTTEN TRIBES

PROLOGUE

A long time ago Sun and Moon were fighting over who should rule Earth's people. Moon said "I should rule the people for I will make them strong and powerful!" Sun said "I should  rule the people for I will make them strong and healthy!" Earth had listened to the argument for many countless years and had had enough. She yelled "This fight has gone on long enough! None of you will rule all my people for you shall split them!" Moon and Sun agreed on this and went to rule their people. Moon named his tribe the Alva and once he got to his people he started battle training right away, made them make fierce and killer weapons, and taught them the only rules he thought were needed "Make enemies fear you, gain territory from victories , and show no mercy!" Sun named his tribe the Hopi and once he got to his people he taught them how to make medicines and how to patrol the borders. After that was taught he showed them how to react and fight in battle. Sun showed them that if they were to achieve success, they must follow 3 rules "Make allies wherever you go, be loyal to your tribe, and never ever kill if it is not needed." Earth had watched the tribes throughout the years and marveled at how Sun treated his people, but was disgusted by how unfair Moon was. So she believed Sun should receive a prize, therefor she gave Sun the plains so that the tribe would have a good training area, the river so the tribe would never go thirsty, and the mines so the tribe could have silver and copper armor. Moon was furious with this and declared war on the Hopi. The Hopi accepted this, but each war pushed the tribes deeper and deeper into the forest. Eventually Earth had lost track of where they had gone. She knew she needed more people so she made more and ruled them alone, completely forgetting the Alva and the Hopi altogether.  

   CHAPTER 1

"Watch out" Nightwind screamed as a tomahawk went flying across the clearing. Runningdove ducked just in time as the weapon went flying over her head. "Sorry!" Whitefish called out to her sister as she went to grab her tomahawk. "You're just practicing with your sister not trying to decapitate her! Your mom and I don't want you to kill her on your first practice!" Whitewind yelled  "Be more careful. ok?" Coolbreeze said calmly. Runningdove walked over to where Nightwind was standing, and took her tomahawk. She aimed it at the target getting ready to throw when she heard a rustling in the bushes. Kalik stepped out his heart racing and his eyes were full of fear. Runningdove knew something was wrong, Kalik had never looked so distressed. "Help!  My patrol was ambushed by the Alva!", he shouted, fear making his voice crack.  Whitewind stood up"What! I will gather a  battle patr..." "How many? Are we winning? Are any injured? Are any dead? Do you need help? Oh! Can I help?" Whitefish's questions just kept on coming until Coolbreeze finally made her be quiet. "We need back up!" Kalik continued. "I'll go!" Runningdove shouted without thinking. Whitewind looked at her "Are you sure Runningdove? We have lost warriors to the Alva I don't want to lose you too." He said in a low serious voice "I'm positive, I'm an amazing hunter so I'm sure I could just act like the Alva are animals." She announced proudly "Very well" Whitewind agreed "Coolbreeze you take Whitefish back to camp. Nightwind you'll come with me and Runningdove."  Coolbreeze nodded "Very well. Good luck!" Whitewind nodded "Alright lets g......" "What?!?! I wanna fight too!"  Whitefish yelled.  Eventually Coolbreeze was able to drag her back to camp. Whitewind lead his patrol  through the tall grasses. Runningdove was stunned by fear and realized why Kalik had looked so scared. Blood stained the grasses, wounded warriors were trying desperately to crawl away, and some were perfectly still in piles of blood. Greenleaf, the medicine man , was trying his best to patch up wounds. Whitewind yelled a battle cry and rushed into battle. Runningdove settled behind a bush. She grabbed her tomahawks and laid them on the ground. "1... 2... 3... 4... 5... 6..." she counted  She grabbed one and took aim on a warrior fighting with Whitewind. She got ready to throw when she saw an arrow zoom past her face. She turned around to see a Alva warrior staring at her with his eyes narrowed. She screamed in terror as he shot another arrow. She dodged it and threw her tomahawk at the warrior leaving a nasty gash in his leg. He screamed in pain and crawled away. Runningdove felt pity and triumph rushing through her. "Retreat!!!" She heard the Alva warrior's call and came out of her hiding place.

CHAPTER 2

"Are you sure you're fine, you have a nasty wound on your arm." Greenleaf said  "I keep telling you it's ok. I'll have my first scar." Nightwind said triumphantly, "Fine. But I'm checking that daily"Greenleaf replied. "Ok! Ok!" Nightwind agreed. "How is your arm?" Runningdove asked nervously. "It's fine! Why is everyone so worried?" Nightwind said, annoyance was clearly visible in his voice. "Its a nasty wound that might not heal. It could also get infected." She stated "And who made you the medicine man Mrs. Smartypants." He retorted  Runningdove always wondered why Nightwind was always grumpy. She just glared at him and walked away. "Runningdove! Come over here! Your mother and I wanna talk to you!"  Whitewind yelled "What now?" she wondered   She walked over to where Whitewind and Coolbreeze were waiting. "What's up?" She asked her voice filled with curiosity "Your mother and I were talking and we believe that the way you fought today deserves a prize" Whitewind started "The patrol today has found wild horses, and one is your age in horse years. We believe that you shall get her" Coolbreeze said "Really!" Runningdove said excitedly "Yes. come meet her she is in the horse stable" Whitewind repliedRunningdove couldn't help but run to the stable. Once she got there she saw the little horse. She was brown with white feet and some white splotches. Her eyes were a diamond blue and her mane was snow white. "She's beautiful!" Runningdove spoke admirably, "Is she really mine?" Whitewind smiled "Of course dear. Now name her." Runningdove thought about a name. She looked at the splotches of white. She looked at the diamond blue eyes. Then it came to her. "I'll name you Rain." She decided. Rain neighed an approval. Runningdove wrapped her arms around Rain's mane and hugged her tight. "Why don't you try her out. I can take Storm and  Coolbreeze can take Willow so we can ride along with you if you like?" Whitewind suggested  "Ok!" Runningdove replied. "Now if you want her to stop pull her mane up, and if you want her to go faster lean down. To turn her you have to pull her mane the way you wanna turn." Whitewind instructed.  "Like this?" Runningdove leaned down to get Rain going fast, then pulled up to stop her, but her pull was too hard and Rain bucked her off. She landed with a thud on the ground. Coolbreeze got off willow and grabbed Rain so she wouldn't run away. "Ow! Bad horse!" She shouted  "Calm down Runningdove that was your fault. You pulled too hard and it spooked her", Whitewind replied."Calm down girl, you're ok" Coolbreeze whispered  trying to calm Rain down.

   CHAPTER 3

"Your leg might hurt for a while but other than that you're fine." Greenleaf said as he inspected Runningdove's leg. "It still hurts!" She complained "You'll survive!" Greenleaf replied annoyed. Runningdove limped out of the teepee "How's your leg doing?" Whitefish asked. "It hurts like crazy and Greenleaf isn't doing anything!" Runningdove replied trying to stay calm. "Oh. Well anyway can you take me out on a ride?" Whitefish asked excitedly "Take you on a ride, with that beast? No way!" Runningdove shouted angrily, "Aww! Come on Runningdove! Just because she hates you doesn't mean she will hate me!"  Whitefish complained "No! maybe when I learn how to ride her, but until then the answer is no!"  "Fine!" Whitefish shouted"You shouldn't be so unfair Runningdove, especially to your sister!" WhiteWind said. "How long have you been there?!" Runningdove said surprised. "Long enough! Maybe you don't deserve Rain." Runningdove's heart sank. "No! Please! I'm sorry I got frustrated. My leg is killing me thats all!" She pleaded desperately. "Fine. Maybe it's time for another riding lesson." Whitewind replied."Ok. Let's try this again." Whitewind said calmly.  Runningdove Put a blanket down on her and mounted Rain. Rain neighed and tried to buck her off but Runningdove held on "Easy girl. You're ok. I wont hurt you." She whispered calmly. "Good! You got her calmed down, and I thought your mother was the only horse whisperer. Shame on me!" Whitewind said proudly.Runningdove leaned down and Rain picked up speed. Then she slowly leaned up and pulled Rain's mane. Rain slowed down to a stop. "There you go! Now try and turn her." Whitewind challenged.  Runningdove leaned down once more and Rain picked up speed. "Ok now pull her mane the way you wanna turn, but slow her down first." Whitewind instructed.  Runningdove leaned up and pulled her mane to the left. Slowly Rain turned. She pulled it to the right and Rain turned right. "Yes! Good girl!" she shouted proudly.   "Good! Now I've got a challenge for you. See if you can weave through the trees" Whitewind challenged. Runningdove leaned down and Rain picked up speed. The first tree came and she pulled to the right to avoid it. Then the second tree came and she pulled left to avoid it. She quickly weaved through the trees. Whitewind yelled something that she couldn't catch. Then she heard a loud call "Intruder!" Runningdove's heart raced and she realized what Whitewind was trying to tell her. She had crossed the border!

CHAPTER 4"Grab her! Don't let her get away!" Alva warriors screamed to each other. Runningdove tried to get Rain to turn, but the poor horse was stunned terrified. Runningdove got off and tried to pull Rain with her. Rain tried to run with her, but an Alva warrior lassoed a rope tight around her neck. Terrified Rain started kicking and neighing, but it was no use the Alva warriors just pulled harder. "Rain!" Runningdove shouted. The Alva warriors looked at each other "The rider's here too! Grab her too!" The Alva warrior shouted. Runningdove turned to run, but an Alva warrior was standing right there. She recognized the warrior from the battle. The warrior with the gash on his leg. The warrior recognized her too. Rage showed in his eyes. He grabbed her and tied her down to the back of his horse. All she heard was her father's cry as the warriors rode away.The horses stopped at a larger clearing surrounded by trees. The teepees were gigantic and were darker than the ones at her camp. The stable was a fenced in area and inside were hitching posts with ropes that could burn a horse. She looked around and saw a huge hole in the ground with a fence like door. "That's probably where they'll put me..."  She thought sadlySure enough the warrior opened the fence door, and threw her in. "Chief Steller will speak with you later, but for now keep quiet!" The warrior yelled. "H-Hello?" A voice from the back said. "Who's there!" Runningdove asked nervously. "I am no threat, I am a prisoner like you." The voice spoke again. "Who are you?!?" Runningdove asked  "My people called me Sunflower, before the Alva captured me. Now I am nothing but a lost spirit." Runningdove couldn't believe what she had just heard. Sunflower was a spirit which must mean that the Alva must of made her prisoner then killed her. "Why have you not joined the stars?" Runningdove asked curiously "I can not join them for past Alva warriors keep me prisoner here." Sunflower replied sadly. "how old are you?" Runningdove asked longing to know more. "I was 10 when they captured me and 12 when I was killed. Sunflower said. Runningdove's heart started racing. She was 11. Would that mean the Alva would kill her too or would her family come and rescue her. "How long have you been here?" Runningdove asked scaredly "So many years for I have lost count. I have tried to escape but the past warriors stop me and put me back in this cell. Escape is impossible." Runningdove felt pity for the poor girl. She knew she had to escape, she just needed to find out how.  

CHAPTER 5Runningdove fell asleep that night and dreamed she was walking through a strange forest. She saw a young girl with golden locks of hair, and shining blue eyes. She was riding a pure white horse through the woods. "Sunflower wait up! You're going to fast!" A young girl riding a brown and white horse shouted. "Sunflower!" Runningdove was dreaming of the young girl's life. "Come on Bearfur I'm not going that fast. "Bearfur must be her sister." Runningdove thought. "Well it's fast enough! slow down!" Bearfur shouted again. "Ok ok I'll wait for you at the border." Sunflower replied. "The border! are you thats a good idea?" Bearfur asked nervously. "The Alva are vicious, and I'm sure Chief Sun doesn't want to confront Chief Moon asking for his lost braves." "We'll be fine" Just as Sunflower said that Alva warrior came flooding out of the bushes. Sunflower had no time to turn around. Bearfur rode up and tried to save Sunflower, but the Alva just captured her too. The scene of the dream suddenly changed to a dark cave Sunflower and Bearfur looked older here. "She must be 12 now"  Runningdove figured. "I can't take it anymore Sunflower!" Bearfur complained. Then her voice broke into a whisper. "I'll escape at night and tell the tribe where you are. Ok?" Bearfur asked. "Ok. Goodluck.The scene changed once more to day. Sunflower was being taken by Chief Moon into a darker cave. "Your sister might of escaped, but you will stay here for eternity!" He raised his spear and Runningdove looked away. All she heard was a pain filled shriek  before all was silent. "Take her body to the prisoner cell and leave her there. Her spirit will not escape ever!" He instructed. Runningdove woke up praying she was in her old camp, but she was still in the dark hole. She called out to Sunflower and heard nothing. She heaved a sigh. Just then an Alva warrior came and opened the fence door. "Chief Steller wants to talk to you." The warrior said. Runningdove saw something that struck hope that she might escape. This warrior wasn't the same one who put her in here this warrior was a female and she looked as if she was pity for Runningdove.She quickly climbed out of the hole, and followed the warrior to a large teepee. inside she saw the chief talking with another man. "That must be the medicine man" She figured. The chief turned around and saw the female warrior and Runningdove at the entrance. Greetings Dov... I mean Crowwind, is this the prisoner? She is quite young." He said as he observed Runningdove. "Deerhoof has told me that you crossed the border and were the one who gave him the wound on his leg. But my medicine man thornbush believes that you should be freed, but we will keep the horse." He said firmly Runningdove felt like crying. She wouldn't go back without Rain. "No! Please let me take her with me! I love her!" She pleaded. "I won't leave without her!" "Perhaps you should let her take her horse too." Crowwind suggested. Hope sparked in Runningdove. Would she really be freed with her horse. "You are known to be fair, Chief Steller. She crossed the border by mistake and you know that. I think you just wanna get your greedy little hands on her horse." Crowwind stated  Rage started to flare in his eyes then drifted away as if it was never there. "Very well." He agreed. "But don't expect to be let off this easily next time! Now go and sleep. A patrol will escort you to the border in the morning.As she left the teepee she thanked Crowwind. "Your welcome dear girl. When she crawled into the hole she saw Sunflower waiting there. The ghostly figured smiled then slowly faded away. "Goodbye Sunflower. I pray that you escape someday."

      ChAPTER 6      Dawn light flooding into the cell told her it was morning. Sunflower's ghostly presence was still there. Runningdove felt sorry for the young prisoner. "Wakey! Wakey!" Crowwind called "Deerfoot and I need to take you to the border." Runningdove was so excited to get home. She desperately wanted to see Whitewind, Coolbreeze, Nightwind, and Whitefish. She just wished that Sunflower could escape to the stars."Come young warrior. Time for your escort." Crowwind called. Runningdove quickly climbed out of the hole and joined Crowwind. She had Rain tied to a rope with her. "Here." She said as she handed Runningdove the rope. Runningdove hugged Rain tight and mounted her. Deerhoof was waiting at the exit. "I still think that Steller should of been more harsh." He whispered into Crowwind's ear. "You would want to be freed desperately too if you were captured! Just imagine yourself in her shoes." Crowwind retorted "Crowwind you're just too soft! You've always been too soft! Soft on trespassers! Soft on animals! Soft on braves! Soft on everything!"  Deerhoof shouted angrily. "I am just nicer than you! Cause unlike you I want to join the stars when I die." Crowwind said mockingly "I might burn in fire when I die, but I would of followed the code our ancestors set down for us! And what was that one part? Hmm..Oh I don't know. Show no mercy!!!" Runningdove's heart started racing as Deerhoof pulled out his spear. Was he going stab her or Crowwind. Then he pulled turned the spear to her. "This is how you follow the code of the Alva! Time for you to join the stars little girl!" He  shouted. "No! You wouldn't kill me and you know my secret!" Crowwind yelled "You can't tell a soul though! Or else I have permission to kill you! I've Just been waiting for you to tell so you could finally die! We need tribe-born warriors, not lost braves!" Deerhoof snarled "What secret, What's so important that they would kill if she told?" Runningdove wandered. "Must be bad." She figured.  "Well you know what, I'd rather die than spend another moment lying to myself! You know as well as I do that I don't belong here, and I can't take another battle against my home! Crowwind screamed sadly, "Wait! What! Your home isn't the Alva!?!" Runningdove asked curious. "Now she knows too much! She will not cross the border Alive!" Deerhoof shouted. "No! Run Runningdove! Run faster than the wind!" Crowwind screamed Runningdove jumped on Rain and got ready to ride of when she heard Crowwind's terrified cry "Stop! Please!" "You were the one who wanted to join the stars!" Deerhoof said with a twisted smile. Runningdove turned around, Deerhoof had Crowwind pinned to the ground with a spear to her neck. "Say goodnight Crowwind!" He laughed "No!!!" Runningdove screamed and turned around.She grabbed the rope that was on Rain, and turned it into a whip. She raced back to Crowwind and whipped Deerhoof with it. He screamed in pain as the whip left a blistering red mark on his side. His eyes blazed with rage and he lifted the spear ready to plunge it into her neck ready to stab Crowwind. Rain turned around and kicked him with her hind feet. Runningdove helped Crowwind get up. "Quick get on! I have a feeling you're not safe here." Crowwind got on the back of Rain. Rain disapproved of the extra weight and tried to buck Crowwind off. "Wait. Angel come here girl!" Crowwind called. A few seconds later a beautiful white horse came prancing up. Crowwind got off of Rain and got on the white horse. "Good girl Angel!" Crowwind shouted. The two horses looked at each other and neighed. Then raced across the border. "So. Crowwind, what was that secret." Runningdove asked curiously. "I suppose it's time I tell. I wasn't born in the Alva. I was captured by them when I was very young." Dovewing explained. "So where are you from then?" Runningdove asked longing to know more. "I'm from the Hopi, and I'm going home."

         CHAPTER 7"You're from the Hopi?!" Runningdove  shouted  "Yes. I-Is that bad?" Crowwind asked as though nothing had changed. "No its not bad! But why were you in the Alva!?!" She asked  "Oh.. Well you see.." Runningdove could tell that Crowwind was looking for the right words. "When I was very young about your age, I was riding my horse Angel through the forest on my first day as a brave. My parents had past away in a battle against the Alva and I had no siblings. So anyway I was just riding through the woods and the Alva wanted revenge on the battle that we had one. So when they saw me passing through they decided to capture me. I told Angel to run and be safe."So how did you find Angel again." "She recognized me and so I kept her.""Anyway they took me to there camp and held me prisoner. I went crazy in there. I saw a young girl. She said her name was Sunflower, but I don't think she was re..."  "Sunflower! I know her. She was an ancient girl who was killed by the Alva." Runningdove explained. "Oh. well anyway, I tried to escape many times. They had watched my attempts of escape and marveled my skills, therefore they said that they would either kill me or I would become an Alva warrior. I agreed on this. The changed my look by cutting my hair and giving me scars on my arms and legs. They also changed my name to Crowwind." She continued. "So whats your real name?" Runningdove asked. "Dovewing." She replied. Runningdove had heard stories of a young brave named Dovewing. "Everyone thought the wolves got you! You're alive!" Runningdove shouted happily. "How long were you in the Alva?" She asked curiosity clear in her voice "sixteen years." She sighed  "Sixteen years?! You've been lying to yourself for sixteen years!" Runningdove said unbelievably "I'm afraid so." Dovewing said sadly.Runningdove would ask her more later, but for now she longed to get home. They finally reached the border after a long ride. The pines and oceans of briars suddenly turned to meadows of flowers and tall oaks. Rain neighed happy to be back across the border. Angel just looked around confused. "Ah... It's great to be home!" Dovewing sighed happily.

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