//------------------------------//
// Improving Relations 
// Story: The Final Crusade 
// by Enfield 
//------------------------------//

Scootaloo and Apple Bloom agreed with James’ parents, they wanted to see a Native American tribe, Sweetie Bell didn’t hesitate to join them. The other trail guide and the other people who were riding horses left them and went back to the ranch. Doc and James’ family caught up with James and the native. The native led them through some trees and told them to dismount their horses and follow on foot.
“Don’t get separated and keep close to me and Doc,” James said to the Crusaders as he got down from Remington.
“I hope this is a friendly tribe,” said Doc. 
“They probably are, all we have to do is not seem hostile to them.” said James. 
“Sounds easy,” said Scootaloo. 
“This is so cool,” said Sweetie Bell, “We get to meet a Native American tribe.” 
“What is a Native American tribe?” Apple Bloom asked quietly.
“People who have lived here for hundreds of years,” said James, “Leave the talking to us.”

The finally reached the tribe village after hiking through dense bushes. The tribe village was a mix of large teepees and small tents, James took not of the rather large fire burning in the middle of a circle of teepees, they had something planned. The native guide led James, Doc, the Crusaders and James’ parents to the fire, one native stood up from behind the fire and walked over to them, James in the fire light the native was wearing a large headdress made of feathers. He had the be the Chieftain.
“Roaring Thunder, why have you brought these outsiders into our home?” the Chieftain asked. His voice was booming across the forest but James sensed kindness. 
“They were just riding around our land Chief,” said Roaring Thunder, “They didn’t know we were here.” 
“Are they friends?” the Chieftain asked.
“Yes, they may be armed but they are friends,” said Roaring Thunder. 
“Very well,” said the Chieftain, “Outsiders, welcome to our tribe, I am Chief Golden Lightning.” 
“James Rogers,” said James. He looked down and saw the Crusaders all huddled behind him, James was so fascinated he didn’t notice the Crusaders had hidden behind him.
“Go on,” James said softly to the girls, “Tell them your names.”
“We are all friends, no harm shall come to you,” said Chief Golden Lightning.

Apple Bloom let go of James and stepped forward. She looked nervously at the Natives but bravely stood tall.
“My name is Abigail,” said Apple Bloom. Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo stepped out from behind James, impressed with Apple Bloom’s bravery.
“I’m Samantha,” said Sweetie Bell. 
“I’m Susie,” said Scootaloo. 
“Are these girls your sisters?” asked Roaring Thunder.
“Not really,” said James, “I found them one day and decided to take them in until their parents found them.” 
“His voice sounds different to ours,” said a tribesman. 
“Well yes it does because I wasn’t born in this country,” said James. 
“Where were you born then?” Chief Golden Lightning asked.
“Great Britain,” said James. Some murmuring broke out through the crowd of tribes people, the Chief hushed them.
“You were from the land of the settlers?” Golden Lightning asked. 
“Born and raised,” said James. 
The Chief turned to several other tribesmen and had a discussion in a language James couldn’t understand. Golden Lightning turned back to James.
“You may stay for a while,” said the Chief, “Come and join us at the fire.” 

James and Doc followed Golden Lightning to the fire, the Crusaders had again gathered up against James and were watching each tribesman carefully. Doc took the lead and started explaining that he was here in order to learn more about the tribe so he could tell the rest of the trail guides about the Native American tribe. Dave and Katherine were more interested in  commenting about how the tribe got on without modern conveniences. Once they reached the fire the Crusaders eased up a little when they saw other kids their age around the fire staring curiously at them, James did see a few other kids his age but thought that they wouldn’t be able to understand English.
“Come friends of the outside, you may eat with us and hear stories of our past,” the Chief said. 
“Sounds interesting,” said James. 

James sat down next to the Chief and the Crusaders took their place next to James, Doc sat opposite to the Chief with James’ parents with Roaring Thunder. James had no idea what to expect, he had never been in a Native American tribe before but he had studied several different tribes in school but had never actually met any Native Americans before. All James could remember about any Native American tribe was that they always had a peace pipe. He had no idea if this tribe had one but he had to be ready for anything. Chief Golden Lighting introduced James and his family to the tribe, James couldn’t tell what they were saying but it sounded a lot like the Russian language that he could fluently speak. As James got to know some people of the tribe he saw two boys who looked like the shadows that were behind the cabin last night, they turned out to be the Chief’s sons and were just exploring when they saw James taking care of the Crusaders. James didn’t hold anything against them.  

A few of the tribe elders sat across the fire, James was a little curious about the stories that the elders were going to tell. The Crusaders were excited to be in a tribe, they hadn’t seen anyone to live successfully by living off the land and making their own clothes and homes. 
“Isn’t this cool?” Apple Bloom said to James.
“It’s a first I’ll say,” said James, “This is something my history teacher won’t believe.” 
“So what happens now?” asked Sweetie Bell.
“Maybe they’ll tell us those stories,” said Scootaloo. 
“Before you learn of our past you must first prove you are friends,” said the Chief passing James a long decorated pipe.
“Oh wow,” James said somewhat surprised, “An actual peace pipe.” 
“Looks nice,” said Sweetie Bell.
“The young ones cannot use the peace pipe,” said Golden Lightning, “We know that they are friends, but they have not reached the age.” 
“I don’t mind,” said Apple Bloom, she took her bow out of her pocket and wrapped it around her hand. One native girl saw Apple Bloom’s hand and got her attention. Apple Bloom looked over to the native girl.
“What, what about my bow?” Apple Bloom asked the native girl. 
“She says that she can help you put it on if you want,” said Golden Lightning.
“You can help?” Apple Bloom asked the girl, the girl nodded in reply. As the girl helped Apple Bloom with putting the bow back in her hair James looked uneasy about the pipe.
“Something wrong?” the Chief asked.
“Just a little unsure what I’m about to do,” said James. 
“It’s perfectly safe,” said the Chief, “All you do is breath.” 

James shrugged and sucked on the peace pipe, he handed it back to the Chief who gave it to Roaring Thunder who sucked on the pipe for a good ten seconds. James felt a little light headed and was coughing up smoke, Sweetie Bell looked over to James and saw in the firelight that his face had gone bright red.
“Are you alright James?” Sweetie Bell asked.
“No,” James wheezed, “What the hell was that stuff?” 
“It is our sacred herb,” said Golden Lightning, “We use it to greet outsiders or for when a boy becomes a man.” 
“Well you sure know how to celebrate stuff,” said James. His coughs turned into hacking and spluttering, Dave wondered if his son was alright.
“Excuse me, but is he alright?” Dave asked. 
“Yes, most people are like this when they first experience our sacred herb,” said Golden Lightning. 
“Yes but will he be okay?” Katherine asked as she was handed the peace pipe.
“He will be fine,” said Golden Lightning. 
“It’s okay, I’m fine,” James said trying to stand up. 
“You don’t look fine,” said Scootaloo.
“You’re right, I’m not,” James said, he then fell over backwards and started laughing, “I’m really not in control of myself.” 
“The effects should wear off in an hour or so,” said Roaring Thunder. 
“How are you feeling?” Sweetie Bell asked.
“Comfortable,” said James, “And rather hungry.” 
“So do you want to hear the stories of our past?” Chief Golden Lightning asked. 

The Crusaders eagerly leaned forward as the elders told them stories of their past and Native American legends. James however was still on his back staring at the stars, he shut his eyes for a few minutes, James knew he was never going to be able to get up without help. He thought that the effect of the herb would wear off quicker if he tried to sleep it off. He drifted off and pictured the stories in his mind, halfway through a legend of the horses of the Back Hills some shouting and a few short screams broke James’ slumber, he sat up and saw through his blurred eyes several tribe warriors pointing bows at a tree.
“Did I miss something?” James asked. 
“It’s that eagle again,” said the Chief.
“Eagle?” James asked.
“Some really big bird came down and stole our food,” said Scootaloo. 
“I must be dreaming or something,” said James.
“Well that cursed eagle is terrorizing our village again,” said Golden Lightning. 
“What’s the story on that thing?” Doc asked.
“The eagle has been following our tribe for the past several years,” said the Chief, 	“It has been stealing food from us, destroying our homes and threatening to steal our newly born children.”
“So kill it,” said James.
“We can’t,” said Roaring Thunder, “It escapes our arrows.” 

The eagle screeched and flew over the camp fire again, the warriors fired their bows only to shout in anger that the bird had dodged each arrow and was now sitting high in a tree eating the food it stole.
“If only we had a way to stop it,” said Golden Lightning.
“If someone does kill it, they will be able to get a feather to aid them in times of great trouble,” said an Elder. 
A loud bang startled everyone the eagle fell from the tree and landed on the ground, the warriors looked to the source of the noise.
“There, problem solved,” said James, he was holding his Winchester. The barrel had a trail of smoke coming from it. 
The Chief and the Elders couldn’t believe what had happened. Their troublesome eagle had been killed.
“Quick,” said an Elder, “You must take one feather from it’s tail. Take more than one and you will be cursed.”

James managed to stand up and stagger over to the eagle. He plucked a large feather out of the eagle’s tail and went back to the Elder.
“So what can this do for me?” James asked. 
“That feather you must keep with you at all times,” said the Elder, “For that feather will protect you and guide you through trouble. If you burn it, the spirit of the Eagle will assist you in whatever you ask for, but it will no longer protect you.” 
“A blessed feather from an eagle I killed,” said James, “What an interesting night this has been.” 

Doc said that they had to go back to the ranch because the horses had to go back in the stables, Roaring Thunder led James, his parents, Doc and the Crusaders back to the horses. The entire tribe followed and bid them farewell, the Crusaders waved back and James mounted his horse. 
“Thanks for the gift,” he said.
“Thank you for helping me with my bow,” said Apple Bloom.
“No no, thank you for getting rid of that eagle,” said Chief Golden Lightning, “You have saved our tribe.” 
“Will our paths cross again with you, James Rogers?” an Elder asked.
“Probably not,” replied James, “But if it does I hope you will remember me.” 
“We shall remember,” said the Chief, “Good luck in life friend.”