4

Watching the loading of horses and swarm of red coats moving about stood an Indian runner standing at six feet tall. His head was shaved or plucked clean with only a tuff of black hair grown out at the crown; feathers and beads were woven into the ponytail.

He had healthy dark copper skin and he wore a blanket like a shawl over his left shoulder exposing his right arm and heavy tattooing; a long tomahawk was tucked into the belt of his breech cloth. Magua also known as le Renard Subtil or Sly Fox watched three young women gather in the courtyard; two of them were the daughters of Colonel Munro dressed in their best dresses and the third was the Colonel's ward.

Magua eyed Grayhair's offspring like a hungry fox eyeing its prey and preparing to pounce; then the Sly Fox's gaze turned to the sisters' companion who wore a mask and veil. She wore a blue and white dress, and had no need for a corset but she did wear a cloak.

He could not understand why Yangees women would torture them-selves by trying to change their figures; he cringes at the thought of Huron women trying to change their figure with a corset and saw it unnatural. Magua was curious about the ward of Grayhair, she always wore the white porcelain mask and veil, and no one dared to remove them to see underneath.

Moon Woman; thought Magua as a name for the girl for how white her mask and veil was. Huron daughters would stay with their Mothers and other women; they would be learning proper ways of becoming good Huron wives when they became women.

He was curious to know what Moon Woman looked like under the mask and veil; he had heard the rumors that have gone around. Some say she was born ugly, others says she bears scars that had disfigured her and it was known that two brothers have said they had seen the face of an angel, and she was much more than she seemed.

If Moon Woman survives the surprised attack that was to come; Magua will see if any of the rumors are true.

Gwenhwyfar Moonshard was given a pack mule to ride as Cora and Alice Munro were helped in mounting their horses. Major Duncan Heyward came riding up on his white stallion and looked quite dashing; Gwen thought he looked like a peacock strutting as he tried to impress and attract a mate.

"Firebird;" said Duncan in greeting as he kissed his fingertips and reached down to place on the cheek of the mask, and Gwen greeted with mischief in her tone: "Peacock!"

Major Heyward grinned at the familiar banter and he knew of Gwen being a Phoenix; Cora and Alice watched the two with amused smiles. The Munro sisters were happy to set off on the journey to be with their Father and they were anxious to get their dearest friend away from Albany.

Last month their Aunt was singing a different tune after learning the truth about Gwen; not only was Lady Corwin treating the girl like royalty but Wilhelmina also began doting on Gwen like a Mother to a daughter. Of course Edward and William Corwin weren't any different but acted like a pair of love-struck monkeys, they began competing for Gwen's affections and they went so far as to enlist into the British Army much to their Mother's prideand dismay.

Gwen was flustered by the sudden attention and it didn't help that Lady Corwin dropped hints of praise over her sons, boasted about one and the other, and hinted on what great husbands they would make. Lady, Gwen's inner beast, found it amusing that the older woman was trying to match Gwen with one or both of her sons; Gwen found it annoying that a noblewoman would suddenly change her tune on a poor orphan like her.

Regardless of being a Phoenix or not...

A company of the 33rd was to accompany the Major and the three young women to Fort William Henry, and they will be guided by a native scout. Soon the company began to march with the four riders and the Indian runner sprung ahead to take the lead; startling the girls slightly.

"There is something about that Indian that frightens me, Duncan;" said Alice with a shiver of fear. "What makes you trust him?"

"He's a runner for our army and even though your Father once had trouble with him, he has volunteered to guide us;" explained Heyward matter of fact. "Don't worry, my dear, he is our friend!"

"If he was Papa's enemy;" replied Alice in worry, "perhaps there is cause for me to not trust him!"

"Should we distrust our guide simply because he is a different race?" Cora said as she and Gwen shared a look, and Alice answered with a slight blush: "I am sorry, Cora, I was out of line!"

"Besides we have a company of the 33rd to protect us if something bad happens;" said Gwen with a nod to the men and she added in a near whisper: "And I can even protect us if need be!"

Suddenly a colt came gliding like a deer through the pines and the rider cut a comedical sight. He head was large and his shoulders narrow, his arms and legs were long and scrawny.

The man wore a sky-blue coat with a cape, a kilt and a cocked hat like that of a clergyman. The red coats of company couldn't help sniggering in amusement but the stranger paid them no mind as he made his way to the four riders.

"What can I do for you, my good man?" Duncan asked as he suppressed a smile at the sight of this ridiculous-looking man.

"David Gamut at your service;" said the man with a bow on his colt, "I am a Psalmodist, a singing master, I would like to join you to Fort William Henry!"

"Mr. Gamut can help boost moral;" said Gwen and the Major agreed.

Hours passed as the march continued through the ominous wilderness and the humidity of the forest began to take its toll on the soldiers. It wasn't long until Cora and Gwen noticed Alice was beginning to nod under the heat.

The singing master took his hat off and began to gently fan the young Munro as Gwen rode up to Major Heyward. Once next to the Major; Gwen said: "We need to rest before anyone faints from this heat!"

Duncan nodded as he rode up to Magua at the front...

"You there, Scout!" Heyward said as he came up next to the red man and the Major overly articulated: "We must...stop...soon. Women are...tired. You...understand?"

"I understand;" said Magua in perfect English, "this is not good place to stop. Two leagues from here, no water till then; that where we stop, better place!"

"No; stop in the glade just ahead!" Major Heyward said with authority. "When the ladies are rested; we will proceed...Do you understand?"

"Magua understands paleface is a dog to his women;" said Magua in his native tongue, "when his women want to eat, he lay aside his tomahawk to feed their laziness!"

"Excuse me;" snapped the Major suspiciously, "What did you say?"

Magua pauses in step, looks to the white man on the horse and he said simply: "Magua says...I understand English very well!"

The company soon stopped in the glade with a small pond fed by a brook; the Munro sisters settled by the water while Mr. Gamut entertained them with song. Gwenhwyfar Moonshard went to explore and had lifted her mask to breath fresh air once among the trees, she began gathering wildflowers and humming a melody.

Just as she was about to put her mask back on and return to her friends; she felt her mask and veil being snatched from her head, startling her that Gwen stumbled and fell forward. Then Gwen heard a deep, rough and foreboding voice say: "Moon Woman shouldn't wonder alone; so easy to kidnap or take scalp!"