A new coalition of the reconciled Comanches and Wichitas joined the Spanish to campaign against Apaches in southern Texas and Northern Mexico. In turn, Comanches enjoyed easy relations between New Mexico and Texas, passing easily through the streets of Béxar and Santa Fe while also controlling the flow of trade between these two provinces. The Spanish provided annual gifts—in essence tribute—to maintain harmony with the Comanches and were forced to turn a forgiving eye to any occasional raids into Mexico or elsewhere searching for ponies or captives.Comanche became the lingua franca of the southern plains and trade flourished as long as the Spanish and other partners played by Comanche rules. The Wichitas, rehabilitated in the eyes of their Comanche allies, returned to their favorable village locations on the Red River, a strategic position that would help counter Osage ambitions from the northeast. Other allies came, too. The Kiowas ended their war with the Comanches and they—with their affiliated Kiowa Apache band—migrated south and settled near their former enemies and joined them on hunts and raids. The Chariticas, a small Arapaho band, also came, but folded in completely with the Comanches and abandoning their former identities.