Thanks for the reviews, follows, and favorites. :D

It helps, surprisingly.

We can finally get to the main TOKW plot~ Yay!

"It has been several days since I came here. My knee is practically healed, thanks to Ziio. The Beast-man has taken me on several walks to help get my strength back. But now that I can fully walk on my own, we haven't spoken. I've seen him around, but he always seems so busy. I tried following him one time, but he effortlessly lost me. The man is a true mystery.

I know I'm not supposed to be in this village, now that I'm healed there isn't a need for me to be. But, I just can't bring myself to leave. No one has questioned it, yet. I hope they never do. I'm beginning to think of this place as...home."

Catherine sat on a simple bedroll as she listened to the Medicine-Woman tell a tale about how the Earth was created. To a passerby, it must have looked odd. A grown woman, sitting amongst children with a look of pure interest. Although Catherine had yet to master the Native's odd language, she had picked up a few words. Enough to follow along on some parts, anyway.

Her attention was taken from the story as the familiar wolf-hood wearing man entered the village, side by side with his mother. As the two went their separate ways, Catherine stood and briskly walked after Ratonhnhaké:ton. ""Ratonhnhaké:ton" Catherine called out to him as she neared him. She was moderately pleased at the fact she had said his name correctly. Not that she had practiced...or maybe she had...Nobody would know.

With relief, she noticed he stopped and turned to wait for her.

"Ratonhnhaké:ton, how are things?" The fair-haired woman smiled, despite the numb sensation of her knee. The man looked down at her, as if contemplating something. "Things are well, I would assume." Catherine opened her mouth but was cut off by Ratonhnhaké:ton, "My mother and I need to speak with you. Do you have time?"

Catherine nodded, her brows furrowing. What would they need to speak to her for? Had she caused trouble? Ratonhnhaké:ton and Catherine walked to the longhouse and entered it. Ziio and her son exchanged glances before the woman spoke, "Catherine I do not wish to ask anything of you...But there is something I must ask."

Catherine nodded earnestly, "Ask away, Ziio."

"You no doubt know of the Mad King's chaotic behavior...How it threatens us all and so few can stand up against such a man."

Catherine nodded once more, indicating that she was listening.

"It would help us, immensely, if we had one of their kind on our side. As...one of us."

"I do know of Washington's tyranny, and I would like nothing more than to end it. I'll gladly join you, and fight by your sides to the best of my ability."

Ziio smiled faintly and walked forward, placing a warm hand on the woman's shoulder. "We welcome you as a sister, Catherine Reynolds." The hand was taken away and a more serious glint took residence in Ziio's eye. "Come, we have much work to do, and little time."

Both Catherine and Ratonhnhaké:ton nodded and the trio left the longhouse and headed for the woods. As they walked, Ziio explained that they were to meet two warriors of the tribe, in an attempt to rile up fighters to aid in the 'rebellion'.

As they arrived, they were greeted by two Mohawk males. Catherine was slightly relieved that they didn't eye her suspiciously.

"Mad King George is on a warpath and intends to destroy our village." Ziio said, her tone serious. "We need every able body to protect it., come with us..." The warriors exchanged glances, the one with the hand shaped paint on his face was the one to speak. "We know. Oia:ner sent us to collect boughs of the Great Willow."

Ziio's face fell, but she remained silent. "She means for us to defend our people."

"Great Willow?" Catherine asked, looking around for answers. She got none.

"Has she lost her senses?!" Ziio's brows furrowed, "You must not do it!" Catherine was completely lost at the moment, and was struggling to understand exactly what these people were talking about.

The warriors once again exchanged looks, the same man spoke, "You have seen what it can do? Is it really so dangerous?"

The men seemed somewhat hesitant and unsure who to believe. Catherine couldn't blame them really.

"I have seen it" Ziio said, nodding. "It is worse than dangerous. It causes madness, even death for those who cannot bare the strength to fight it."

The man that had remained silent finally spoke, "We cannot simply disobey the Clan Mother." Hand-face, as Catherine would call him, nodded. "Believe me!" Ziio pleaded, "The tea is folly, come back with us..."

The men shook their heads, "We will do as the Clan Mother wishes. Speak to her, and if you can get her consent...we will destroy them."

Ziio frowned deeply, determination set on her face. "I intend to."

Spinning on her heel, the woman marched off. Ratonhnhaké:ton and Catherine exchanged looks and both of them shrugged, perhaps equally confused? They followed Ziio back to the village and to an elder woman Catherine assumed was Oia:ner, the Clan Mother.

Catherine had never seen Ziio storm forward with such aggression. She would've laughed if she didn't have any sense not to.

"You intend to brew tea of the Great Willow! Have you forgotten the consequences? Well, I haven't!"

Oia:ner looked up at Ziio, and seemed to hold back a sigh. "I have not forgotten, Kaniehti:io. But when we face such a threat, there are little options available."

Ziio seemed to be sent into disbelief, "Little options? We can fight them as human beings! My son and I have succeeded twice, by ourselves! Imagine what we could do combined as a village!"

Catherine looked at Ratonhnhaké:ton. He seemed fully focused on his mother. Looking back at Ziio, she folded her arms across her chest.

"How many of these Bluecoats have you brought down? Two..five...ten? Thousands will come. Thousands will destroy us." Oia:ner rounded on her daughter, "Thousands that YOU awoke! Our survival will depend on the strength of the Great Willow."

Catherine could see the hurt and anger on Ziio's face. She felt momentarily sympathetic to the Native Woman.

"You are as mad as the King." Ziio spat, clenching her fist at her side. "Do what you will but we-" Ziio motioned to herself, Catherine, and her son. "Will not drink the tea." Ziio stormed away, grabbing her son and dragging him with her.

Catherine turned to follow, but stopped once she heard Oia:ner's final words. "Then, like you, he will die."

Catherine turned and frowned. "Clan Mother, forgive me. I do not understand such customs and I am an outsider among you...But are such words necessary?"

Oia:ner looked up at the blonde woman and shook her head with a sigh. "I cannot speak what people wish to hear. It is the truth."

"But, can't you just believe in yourselves as a whole? Have faith in not some tree...but each other? Surely that would bring victory?"

"You were right, you said you were an outsider and you are correct. It is best you don't involve yourself in this mess."

Catherine grit her teeth, "Too late." Turning on her heel, Catherine followed after Ziio and Ratonhnhaké:ton .