Eagle Flies, a complex and tragic figure in Red Dead Redemption 2, is the second son of the Wapiti tribe’s chief, Rains Fall. As a proud and headstrong Native American, Eagle Flies is deeply affected by the injustices and tragedies inflicted upon his people by the U.S. Army.
His burning desire for justice and vengeance leads him to form an unlikely alliance with the Van der Linde gang, particularly with Arthur Morgan. However, his unwavering commitment to his cause and susceptibility to manipulation ultimately lead to a devastating outcome that not only impacts his tribe but also leaves a lasting impression on those around him.
Meta Information
The character of Eagle Flies is voiced by Jeremiah Bitsui, who is also a Native American himself. Bitsui is responsible for the motion capture of Eagle Flies too.
History
Eagle Flies is the second son of Rains Fall. Fall’s brother and mother were killed by the U.S. Army in 1899 and as a result, he and his people were relocated to the Wapiti Indian Reservation.
Events of Red Dead Redemption 2
Eagle Flies is introduced when the Van der Linde gang moves from Colter to Horseshoe Overlook. He observes the gang alongside Rains Fall and Paytah from atop a cliff. This is the first time we see Eagle Flies in Red Dead Redemption 2.
In the story, Eagle Flies attends a party with his father in Saint Denis, where Arthur encounters the pair. They discuss a job opportunity where the group is tasked with preventing the army from forcing their tribe off their land for oil drilling.
Arthur agrees and helps steal documents from an oil refinery. Eagle Flies creates a distraction, allowing Arthur to escape. Afterwards, Eagle Flies pays Arthur for his help and hopes the documents will aid their cause against the army.
During the Beaver Hollows chapter, Eagle Flies returns, seeking Arthur’s help to retrieve their confiscated horses. Dutch agrees to assist, and they successfully reclaim the horses.
Later, they plan to “tar and feather” an army patrol. However, the plan backfires, resulting in Eagle Flies’ capture. Arthur and Charles rescue him from Fort Wallace, but during the escape, Eagle Flies is injured.
In defiance of his father’s plea, Eagle Flies leads an attack on the Heartland Oil Fields, prompting the gang to join. They rescue him, but then, as the battle winds down, Dutch and Arthur head into the warehouse to retrieve some state bonds. However, they’re ambushed by remaining soldiers on their way out. In the chaos, Arthur is incapacitated by a burst pipe. Eagle Flies rushes to his aid, dispatching the assailants.
Unfortunately, Colonel Favours arrives and fatally wounds Eagle Flies. In a swift act of vengeance, Arthur retaliates, eliminating Favours. Despite their efforts, Eagle Flies succumbs to his injuries in the arms of his father, Rains Fall, with Arthur and his companions Paytah and Charles by his side.
Aftermath and Legacy
Ultimately, the assault on the Heartland Oil Refinery resulted in consequences that were opposite to what Eagle Flies and his people wanted. Instead of achieving their goals, the Wapiti Indians found themselves forced to flee to Canada in order to escape the ruthless army. However, before they left, the tribe laid Eagle Flies to rest near the reservation, honoring his memory and sacrifice.
Dutch’s manipulation of Eagle Flies led to a tragic outcome, causing Arthur to reassess his loyalty to Dutch. Witnessing the consequences of Dutch’s exploitation, Arthur was let down severely by his leader, recognizing a pattern of exploitation mirrored in his own relationship with Dutch. This is why Eagle Flies involvement with the gang plays a major role in several character developments, including Dutch and Arthur – one for the better and the other for the worse.
Once the tribe flees to Canada and settles, Rains Fall returns to the Wapiti Reservation to pay his respects to Eagle Flies in 1907. Rains Fall also encounters John Marston and reveals that he continues to mourn Eagle Flies, highlighting the lasting impact of his tragic death on the tribe and his father.
Personality
Eagle Flies emerges as a proud and headstrong figure deeply resentful of the injustices inflicted upon his tribe by the Army. He is driven by a burning desire for justice and dignity. He holds a firm belief in the warrior ethos of his people, viewing conflict with the Army as the sole path to honor and retribution.
Despite his initial skepticism, Eagle Flies forms a bond with Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang. He appreciates the fact that the gang and him share a similar disdain for the oppressive authority, aka, the Army.
However, his righteous desire for vengeance leaves him susceptible to manipulation by people who want to use him, as evident by him getting used by Dutch for his personal gains. His legacy serves as a reminder of the perils of unchecked pride and the complexities of loyalty and sacrifice in the face of adversity.
Mission Appearances
Eagle Flies appears in the following Red Dead Redemption 2 missions:
- “Eastward Bound”
- “The Gilded Cage”
- “American Fathers I”
- “American Fathers II”
- “A Rage Unleashed”
- “Favored Sons”
- “The King’s Son”
- “My Last Boy”
Trivia
- Eagle Flies’ grave can be found on the western side of the Donner Falls waterfall near the Wapiti Indian Reservation. The grave is only accessible once you have reached the epilogue.
Eagle Flies Grave Location. - Eagle Flies’ horse is one of the rarest horses in the game. It is an American Paint horse which resembles a Splashed White variant of the horse.
That is the only one in the game and owned by Eagle Flies. - Nastas is a supporting character featured in Red Dead Redemption and he shares a lot of similarities to Eagle Flies of Red Dead Redemption 2:
Nastas is also a native american. - Initially, both encounter the protagonist with a sense of mutual respect stemming from their shared grievances against the encroaching American civilization.
- Eagle Flies harbors deep resentment towards the US Army for their mistreatment of the Wapiti Tribe, while Nastas is upset by the unprovoked destruction of his people’s land and resources.
- Eagle Flies leans towards violence and vengeance in the face of aggression, while Nastas advocates for nonviolence and diplomacy, seeking to avert further conflict through cooperation with the US government. However, despite the differing approach, both strive to protect their tribes.
- Unfortunately, both meet their ends in acts of violence inflicted by those they sought to resist. Nastas falls victim to Enepay’s bullet, while Colonel Favours delivers the fatal blow to Eagle Flies, ultimately leading to his death at the Wapiti Reservation.
