Every novel needs subplots and parallel story lines. I particularly wanted to depict the lives of Comanche women in this time period. The Comanche culture was first and foremost a warrior culture centered around males. They gained status through bravery, wealth, and leadership. Males faced many risks and frequently met an early death.

Women, on the other hand, had little status unless married to a chief. Their lives consisted of meeting the needs of the favored sons, brothers, and husbands. Men provided meat and tools, while women did the rest of the work. They gathered roots and berries and did the cooking. They were responsible for collecting wood for fires and water for drinking. They butchered the buffalo and other game, tanned the hides and sewed the clothes. A woman with special skills made the lodges. When it was time to find new pastures for the horses and mules, every three to six weeks, the women took down the lodges, packed the horses, and rode in all weather to a new camp.  Naturally the women birthed the children and nursed them while doing the rest of their work.

The girl whose storyline I’ve created is named Pale Feather. She is a member of a fellow Comanche band called the Quohadie or Antelope Eaters. She is the same age as Nukitsi. Finding a way to make her story exciting and compelling has been a great challenge