Later, after their discussion, the Captain called the other members of the crew to reboard and be briefed on their situation.
“Listen, y’all,” said Little Red. “You know already that there’s some weird things happening at the northwestern border area. I’ve an idea about what, but not why. So now we need to make a detour and fetch a package.”
“Time to head northwards for a bit, then.”
“What kinda package? Asked Tira.
“The one you left with the Catawba Nation last winter.”
“I was afraid you were gonna say somethin’ along those lines.”
"It's like this," said Captain Willie. "We are going to take him over the mountain with us, into Shawnee Territory."
"Why?" asked Tira. "What did those folks ever do to us that we got to dump him on them? Sounds like some kinda punishment if you ask me."
Tira shook her head glumly. “That’s once package I would be happy not seein’ again.”
“Or smelling either,” chimed Kennia.
“Yeah, just what do we need him for, anyhow?”
“I can answer that” replied Little Red. “Your friend. . .”
“Not mine!” Tira busted in.
“Very well, your, ahem, acquaintance is related to someone of great importance to our mission. Bringing him along will get us this person’s full attention, Hopefully. And then we can get him to listen to what I have to say.”
”Which is?” Asked Tira pointedly.
”There are squatters in No man’s land between Carolina and the Shawnee lands.”
”So tell us something we don’t already know!” Burst Tira. ”There’s always some kinda fool ain’t where he’s supposed to be. Specially long any kinda border.”
Little Red nodded. ”Exactly. But these fools are trying to dig a mine without permission and they don’t intend to leave. Ever.”
Kennia whistled. ”Now that is not gonna sit well with either the Shawnee or the Tsalagi.”
”That’s an understatement.”
”I expect they’ve been keepin’ their own look-out on the borderlands, though. What makes you think they’ll want your input?” Said Kennia.
