“Death?” Violet’s face fell. “Death of…of your family, you mean?”
Sitting Bear nodded solemnly, but did not elaborate. Linus slowed his nag until he was even with the other two. “May I?” he asked Sitting Bear. He nodded, and Linus continued. “Bear was raised on the Pan Handle with the rest of his tribe. They would go up to the springs to keep warm in winter. Most of the Caddo separated into Indian Territory and Texas, but Bear here was one of the few that managed to sneak around the white man to stay on their lands. When he was barely Rory’s age, maybe a little bit older, he—”
Sitting Bear’s hand raised. Linus stopped his story and nodded. Violet wanted to pry, but Linus had already moved on. “Short end of it is, Malvern holds a special place for Bear. There was a lot of blood shed to ge
