Chapter 5

Two Bears had his eyes on Floating Tree as a possible woman for Broken Stick. It was true that she was older than Stick, but she was still a handsome woman and was reputedly a good natured one as well. She had lost her mate, Lion Paws, in the flood of two summers past, when he had drowned himself as he tried to ford the swollen river after an unsuccessful hunt. Two was speaking of his thoughts to his mother, asking her if she knew of any reason why Floating Tree wouldn't make a good match for his friend. Seeing his sister becoming agitated, Two Bears looked to her for the reason.

"She wouldn't be good for Stick at all! As big as she is, she'd need Stick to be out hunting everyday just to keep her fed." It was true that Floating Tree was a substantial sized woman, but she was a hard working gatherer and an excellent cook as well. With her size, she would keep Stick nice and warm when the snow came and the sleeping furs let in some of the cold air at night. He was surprised to see his sister express an interest in a matter that didn't concern her, but he was even more surprised when his mother went to her and smoothed her hair back and made soothing noises to her. After Still Shadow had been calmed and told to get some cooking things from inside their lodge, Storm Cloud informed Two that his sister had herself in mind to be Broken Stick's woman.

"You must be mistaken. He is too old for her and she isn't ready to be tied with anyone yet."

"Is Willow too young as well then? She and Shadow are separated by only a single moon in age. She is ready now because she has feelings now for Stick. How can you be so close to her and still not see that? Haven't you ever wondered why she is always close by you whenever he comes over to talk? Do you think it is possible that Stick hasn't noticed either?" His mother turned her head and looked over in the direction where Stick's lodge was. He wondered why she even looked since it couldn't be seen from where she now stood. "I was going to speak to your father soon of this as well. He at least knows of her feelings, unlike you. Have you heard any mention of a possible interest in Still Shadow by Stick?"

Two Bears felt a need to sit down. His head was spinning from trying to make his mind understand what his mother was saying. When his sister returned with the stirring sticks and the bowls her mother had sent her to retrieve, Two had a difficult time refraining from questioning her about the information his mother had just given him. Goose and Stick? He just couldn't picture them together. He loved his sister, but even the thought of her and Stick being like he and Willow were, it made his head hurt. Rather than continue on, Two excused himself pleading pressing matters that needed his immediate attention. He left and hurried over to his own lodge to question Willow, certain that his mother must be mistaken in her thoughts. When he got inside the opening of his lodge, Willow was not there. Rather than running all around and trying to locate her, Two Bears headed over to Broken Stick's lodge. As soon as he saw his friend sitting by his fire pit working, Two Bears made his decision.

"Stick, what do you think of Floating Tree? Don't you think she'd make you a fine woman?" His friend looked over at him and laughed at the suddenness of the question.

"Has she talked to you about me?"

"Well, no, but I've thought about possible candidates for you and she just came to mind. I told you that I'd help you find a woman, and I will. What do you think of her? Should I go speak with her on your behalf?"

"Is she still of an age to bear me children? That is important to me. I would expect to have children. One son at least that I could teach and watch him grow into a strong hunter."

"I doubt that she's too old for that Stick, she's younger than my mother, and my mother was with child three summers ago herself. Of course, it is true that she and Lion Paws had no children, though they had been tied for some time before he died, so I'm not sure. I could ask her."

"What about Little Flower or Rising Wind? I've thought of both of them as women I'd like. Perhaps you should talk to them before you speak with Floating Tree?" It was becoming obvious to Two Bears that Floating Tree hadn't been high up on Stick's list for a possible mate. He looked at his friend, wanting to help him find a woman, but knowing that the two maiden's he'd named were not for him. Flower was almost certainly destined for Brown Moose, the two had been making eyes at each other for all of the past summer. Wind, a tribal beauty, she was far beyond his friend's grasp. Even if that hadn't been true, she was too vain and self absorbed to ever be a good mate for Stick.

Curious to see Stick's immediate reaction when caught off guard, Two asked his question."Have you ever thought of Still Shadow perhaps? I believe she might entertain a notion that you and she might be happy together." Stick's eyes got big and he looked at Two sharply, trying to see if he was being teased or not. Not seeing any sign that he was being teased, he still hesitated before giving an answer to his friend.

"She is very young, don't you think?" Two Bears noted that he hadn't rejected the idea out of hand.

"Yes, I thought so too, but my mother reminded me that she is but one moon younger than Willow. The thing is Stick, my mother believes that Goose has her eyes set on you."

"I'm too old and besides, my foot. You know she deserves a younger, better man."

"I don't know of any better men. As for younger, if it doesn't bother her, why should you complain? She's closer to your age than you are to Floating Tree's, and closer to your weight as well."

"I am flattered that you would even consider me for her Two. It doesn't feel right to me though, as she is like a sister to me. I never had a sister, but I've been around her since she was a little child." Two Bears looked at his friends face, and knew that he could easily be convinced. He didn't want to risk a breach in their friendship by pushing Stick to a hurried decision. If the idea was now firmly lodged in his head, it would take root or it wouldn't. He was comfortable not having gone beyond letting Stick know that Shadow might be available, and, quite possibly, interested.

"I will let you think about what we have spoken of." The two friends parted, both were thinking about the direction their thoughts had led them in. When he returned to his lodge he saw Willow busy separating food that she'd gathered during her walk through the woods. The mushrooms she had piled into a wooden bowl would flavor the grain soup that she had started on the wet cooking cloth. There was a wild onion as well and it too would taste good with the wild rice and barley that simmered in the water. He wondered how he would begin that afternoon's conversation with her. If his mother was right, Willow would be needed to console his sister. If she was mistaken, perhaps his wife and sister would give him their opinion of whether Rising Wind should even be approached on Stick's behalf.

After they had eaten, Two and Willow went down to the river to clean their bowls and ladles. It was then that he broached the subject of that day's events. Willow listened calmly to all he had to say and then she stared at him in disbelief. "You told Stick that Shadow had her eyes set for him? How could you do that? Do you know how long she's been stalking Stick? Since before you took your first solo hunt, that's how long. And now, you might have ruined it for her. Why didn't you talk to me before going off to speak with him?" Two Bears looked at the young woman who was his wife. Never before had she spoken like this to him. He didn't care for it either. Since when did a hunter need his woman's permission to talk with whoever he chose?