A spectre of power

In the quiet banks of the Tennessee River, the Cherokee town of Great Tellico awakens to an unusual spectacle. A flamboyantly dressed Choctaw chief, Mingo Push‑koosh, arrives with a French officer‑interpreter, their rival garb and accents drawing the eyes of every onlooker. The ceremony blends traditional Cherokee reverence with the flash of silver pistols and powdered wigs, hinting at the delicate balance between native customs and foreign ambition.

The narrative follows a curious Cherokee woman named Eve, whose restless intellect pulls her toward the foreign entourage. As she watches the diplomatic dance unfold, she senses that the handsome French officer is more than a translator—he may be a pawn in a larger, covert political game. The novel explores how personal curiosity collides with the currents of power, setting the stage for intrigue that threatens the fragile peace of Tellico.