If he has given his word, I cannot openly challenge him without bringing shame to my family. Ryder observed the young warrior. He could see the conflict tearing him apart inside. Love versus duty, desire versus honor. It was a battle no man should have to fight.

I will not take her, Ryder said firmly. Her nor any of the others. It is not right. Storm Spirit looked at him with surprise and something like hope. You mean it completely.

But there is a problem. Your uncle says honor demands payment for the life debt. If I reject the women, I must offer something else. The warrior nodded slowly, thinking, "In our culture, there is another way. If a man rejects a gift of honor, he can prove his worth in another way through trials.

What kind of trials? Tests of skill, strength, wisdom. If you pass, you earn the right to propose your own solution to the debt. If you fail, Storm Spirit left the sentence unfinished, but the meaning was clear. And you would help me with this, Ryder asked.

Why? 3 days ago, you wanted to see me dead. Storm Spirit was silent for a long moment. because I saw what you did. You gave your last water to a dying baby when you found the spring you drank last after everyone else had quenched their thirst. These are not the acts of a bad man.

He paused. And because if you help me keep Starry Sky, I will be in debt to you. Ryder extended his hand, then we have a deal. Storm Spirit looked at the extended hand, then took it firmly. A deal.

The next morning, Ryder presented himself before the council. Great bear and the elders were gathered again, their faces serious and expectant. The 22 women were also present, sitting in a semicircle. Starry Sky kept her eyes lowered, but Ryder noticed how her hands trembled slightly. "I have made my decision," Ryder announced.

"With all respect to these honorable women, I cannot accept them as wives. Not because they are unworthy, but because my heart cannot be divided among so many. It would be dishonest of me. A murmur of surprise and confusion ran through the assembly. One of the elders stood up clearly offended.

"So you reject our most precious gift? You insult our daughters?" "I insult no one," Ryder replied calmly. "But I request the ancient right of trials. Let me demonstrate my worth in another way and I will propose a different solution to this debt of honor.

Great bear leaned forward, his eyes, studying Ryder intensely. Do you know our customs? Stormspirit has instructed me, Ryder said, noting the surprise on many faces upon hearing this. The chief looked at his nephew, who nodded once. Something passed between them.

A silent communication that Ryder couldn't fully interpret. Very well, great bear said. We will give you three trials. The first, a horse race to the twin rocks and back. The second, track and find the ghost deer of the valley without killing it.

The third, a combat of endurance with our best warrior. Who is your best warrior? Ryder asked, although he already suspected the answer. I am, Stormspirit said, standing up. There was a gleam in his eyes, something Ryder couldn't quite decipher.

Was it amusement? Respect challenge. I accept the three trials, Ryder declared. The first trial began at noon. The entire camp gathered to watch.

The twin rocks were two identical formations rising on the horizon. What Ryder estimated to be about 5 mi away. The terrain between the camp and the rocks was treacherous. Loose sand, scattered rocks, cacti that could shred the legs of a careless horse. Storm Spirit would be his opponent in this race as well.

The warrior rode a magnificent pinto horse, clearly bred for speed and endurance. The animal was younger and probably faster than Ryder's horse. "The rules are simple," Great Bear explained. "Circle both twin rocks and return. The first to cross this line wins.

No other restrictions. The two riders lined up. Ryder could feel the tension in his horse." The animal, sensing the excitement in the air, looked at Storm Spirit, who returned the gaze with intensity. "May the best win," the warrior said.

"So be it," Ryder replied. Great bear raised his arm. Silence fell over the crowd. Then, with a shout that echoed in the desert, he dropped his arm. Both horses shot forward in an explosion of sand and speed.

Storm Spirit took the lead immediately. His younger horse demonstrating its superiority in the first 100 meters. But Ryder didn't try to catch up yet. He knew his horse. He knew the animal had more endurance than pure speed.

This was a long race, not a sprint. They crossed the first stretch of open sand. Storm Spirit maintained a lead of three horse lengths. Then they reached the field of rocks. Here, pure speed was less important than agility and judgment.

Ryder began to close the gap. His horse navigated among the rocks with the confidence of years of experience in difficult terrain. Storm Spirit, in his haste, had to slow down several times to avoid dangerous stones. By the time they reached the twin rocks, they were tied. They rounded the formations almost simultaneously.

Now came the return, and both horses were already breathing heavily. The real challenge was just beginning. Storm Spirit spurred his horse, trying to break the tie, but Ryder noticed something. The Pinto was beginning to limp slightly. It had stepped badly among the rocks.

Ryder could win. All he had to do was press his advantage, but then he remembered why he was doing this. It wasn't to humiliate Storm Spirit. It was to earn the respect of the people and the right to offer a different solution. He slowed his speed slightly, staying alongside the warrior instead of overtaking him.

Storm Spirit looked at him confused. What are you doing? Your horse is injured, Ryder shouted over the wind. Not seriously, but enough. Then win.

I don't need to win. I just need to prove that I am worthy. They crossed the finish line together in a perfect tie. The crowd erupted in confused murmurss. A tie was not common in traditional trials.

Great bear stood up, watching both riders as they dismounted. Storm Spirit inspected his horse's leg, confirming the slight limp rider had noticed. A tie, declared one of the elders. This complicates things. No, Storm Spirit interrupted, surprising everyone.