Pete Plenty Clouds is the son of Hank Plenty Clouds. He is first seen alerting Runs His Horse about his daughter, Teonna, escaping the North Dakota Boarding School for Native Americans.
Character Biography[]
The Rule of Five Hundred[]
Working as a sheep herder, Pete is first seen after being sent out by his father Hank Plenty Clouds to alert Runs His Horse. He comes across Runs His Horse upon his return to the house, discovering Issaxche Rainwater's body after she was attacked and killed by government officials looking to arrest Teonna. Runs His Horse implores Pete to return home, taking a different way and avoiding roads in order to evade government agents or priests. Runs His Horse soon buries Issaxche and makes his way to Teonna.
While resting among rocks, Pete is approached by the three priests sent out by Father Renaud to recover Teonna, among them Brother Cillian. The priests question Pete, and he gives false responses and refuses to answer any more questions. When one of the priests approaches Pete, he attacks the priest, prompting Cillian to assault Pete and plans to take him to the North Dakota school. In the evening, Runs His Horse comes across the rocks and finds the remnants of Pete's campfire and quilt and sets off to find him by following the priests' horse tracks.
Later at a canyon, Brother Liam tells Pete about his previous interactions with other indigenous peoples during his Catholic missions, and how their civilizations have thrived under Christianity, while he sees Native Americans to be godless and taken by the devil. Pete rebukes Father Liam, taunting him about his status as a holy man while he commits atrocities. Brother Liam retaliates against Pete and prepares to kill him, but Runs His Horse appears, scalping Liam and slitting his throat. Pete informs Runs His Horse about the two other priests and that Hank is by the Red Creek. He tells Pete to wait by the horses, and returns with his mouth covered in blood, informing Pete he "ate [the priest's] soul" and they both ride off.
Nothing Left to Lose[]
Pete and Runs His Horse find Teonna sleeping in the aftermath of the priests' attack and Hank's death and recover her, riding off. Later that night, Runs His Horse plans on running further south to the Washita River, where they may be able to hide amongst Comanches. He warns them from falling in love, that they must stay vigilant. Much to her father's chagrin, Teonna disregards this warning, and she and Pete begin to kindle a romance. She cries in Pete's arms as she comes to terms with her trauma.
The three are last seen riding off into Wyoming, while unbeknownst to them, Father Renaud and the Marshalls plan on taking the train down to meet them there, leaving their fates unknown.