Shadow Warrior A Novel of the Old West

His square face a mask chiseled from stone, Gunsi's dark eyes glinted with rage as he knelt over the body of Sotli. Gunsi was not an attractive or pleasant man. He led others by sheer force of will, size, and an utter ferocity that stemmed from his total freedom from fear. The one weakness of Gunsi was Sotli, and the adoration the fourteen-year-old boy bestowed upon his older brother. But now, Sotli would not see his fifteenth year because Gunsi had made a mistake. Kos-nos-un-da, Gunsi's father, had protested when Gunsi offered to take Sotli on the raid. But Gunsi held firm, saying the boy had earned the right to go. As is common with young warriors of all colors, they dreamed dreams of victory and of inflicting suffering on their enemies, and never of defeat or suffering themselves. Toh-Yah returned from burying his brother, Kitchi. Toh-Yah and Gunsi were friends, and fierce rivals. Gunsi wanted to grieve for his friend's loss, but was too angry with the dead Kitchi to feel any sorrow now. Toh-Yah's eyes showed his anger at Gunsi for sending Kitchi with the boy instead of with a more capable brave. The two men exchanged a short nod of wordless agreement. Together, they would revenge their brothers -- and settle their argument afterward. Gunsi was tall for an Apache, broad and powerful. Of all the warriors, only Toh-Yah, on occasion, had been able to defeat Gunsi in games of cunning and skill. It was the reason the two were friends. They presented each other with a challenge, one worthy of complete respect. They both possessed the intelligence, strength and courage to become the Llanero's next leader, yet leadership could fall to one only. Toh-Yah had once spoken to Gunsi of a belief he held that one of them would die in battle, remembered by the tribe with stories and songs. The other would become leader. Gunsi had not mentioned it, but he held the same belief. Both friends were too powerful and capable to be less than chief. An honorable, warrior's death was the only fitting reward for the one who did not become leader of the Llanero. Doc's body trembled as he watched the Apaches emerge from the brush. He wasnt afraidit was cold in the mountains.Gotcher, J. C. is the author of 'Shadow Warrior A Novel of the Old West' with ISBN 9781592281220 and ISBN 1592281222.