A crescent moon.
Corvin had seen that mark before.
It was carved into the underside of the old dining table in his house, hidden where no one would notice it unless they were searching for something.
He had asked Abram about it as a boy.
His uncle had told him it was meaningless.
Chato watched the realization cross Corvin's face.
"Your father left something with us," he said. "Something he swore would remain hidden until his son was old enough to understand."
Corvin felt his heartbeat quicken.
"What thing?"
Chato looked toward the house.
"First, you must hear what happened to him."
Behind them, the warriors remained silent.
And somewhere inside the house, Naya opened her eyes.
She had heard her father's voice.
She had heard Corvin's name.
And she knew that the secret her family had guarded for twenty years was finally about to come into the light.
Corvin stepped down from the porch.
"Tell me everything."
Chato nodded.
"Then listen carefully, son of Elias. Before the sun sets, you will learn why three hundred warriors came to your door, why your uncle wants this land, and why your father's name was hidden beneath a buffalo hide."
He glanced toward the distant mountains.
"But you must understand one thing first."
"What?"
Chato's expression darkened.
"Your father did not disappear because he was lost."
He paused.
"He disappeared because he discovered what Abram Torne had done."
A sudden sound came from inside the house.
Naya appeared in the doorway, leaning heavily against the frame.
Her face was pale, but her eyes were clear.
"Father," she whispered.
Chato turned.
For the first time since arriving at Blackthorn Ranch, the Apache leader looked as though he might break.
He crossed the yard in three strides and caught his daughter in his arms.
Naya buried her face against his shoulder.
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Then Chato pulled back and examined the bandages on her shoulder.
"Who did this to you?"
Naya looked at Corvin.
"He saved me."
Chato's eyes softened.