Chapter 22: Only Time Will Heal

Singing Fox slid to the ground holding herself upright by leaning on the horse’s shoulder. Her breath caught at the sight before her eyes. The lodges made of poles and hides, dotted the earth around her in a large circle. Two Dogs jumped from his horse, landing beside her. “Come I take you to my brother.” He grabbed the binding at her wrist, pulling her behind him.

The women and children stared at Singing Fox, their eyes shooting daggers and also pitty, the men ignoring her altogether. She tripped and Two Dogs caught her. His glare sent shivers down her spine. The teepee they walked to stood out with its brightly colored paintings. A large black moon with a red man standing inside it gave her a sudden chill. Strong Moon would show no mercy, after his pride has been hurt.

“Go.” Two Dogs ordered, pushing her inside.

She fell to her knees just inside the hide door. Strong Moon’s surprised face turned to one filled with rage. His wounds looked sore and his movements sluggish. Two Dogs entered and roughly pulled Singing Fox to her feet.

“My brother.” Two Dogs greeted Strong Moon, “I have brought you a gift.” He pushed Singing Fox over to Strong Moon like a rag doll. She landed hard on her side in front of Strong Moon. Her small hiss of pain deepened Strong Moon’s anger.

Strong Moon glared at Two Dogs, “You shame me.” He pointed at Singing Fox, “She was lost fairly. You took her without my consent, and offer her as a gift. A gift that shames our people.”

Two Dogs crossed his arms over his chest. “I have brought you no shame, but honor.” He looked down at Singing Fox, her eyes snapping between him and his brother. “She is a worthy prize. If you refuse her, I will claim her.”

Strong Moon held up his hand, if Two Dogs claimed her the pretty woman wouldn’t survive the night. “I accept her. Do not act without speaking to me, your Chief, again. Go, leave us.”

Two Dogs grunted and quickly left the teepee. Leaving Singing Fox alone with Strong Moon. She flinched and scooted away from his sudden hand on her shoulder. She sat up meeting his eyes. They had a small gentleness in them.

“Do not be afraid of me. I know your people will follow.” He reached for a small bowl beside him. His movements tense with pain. “Here. Eat. You will need to rest before we move forward to the next camp.”

Singing Fox tentatively took the bowl. The warm stew smelled good and her hunger took over. Strong Moon watched her eat. His wounds still pained him, but fever had not come. She looked up from the empty bowl meeting his eyes once again.

“I am sorry for my brother’s wrongs. You will stay here with me. I will not let harm come to you.” Strong Moon tried to reassure her. He found himself comparing her to a skittish colt. Her wide untrusting eyes and jumpy movements, caused his heart to sink. She is the most beautiful woman and yet, his body does not react like the first time he saw her.

She set the bowl down and pulled her knees to her chest. Her eyes watching him. He could take no more of her silence and pushed himself up. “I leave now. Sleep, tomorrow we will stay to hunt.” He stepped through the hide door and sat just outside. Gray Eagle would follow and demand his blood right.

Strong Moon would not refuse Gray Eagle his right. Two Dogs would pay for the wrongful deed he committed. He threw a pebble into the dirt in front of him. The impact leaving a small crater the size of his fingertip. Frustration and anger rose with the unexpected turn of events.

………………

Gray Eagle tossed his head. The steam thick around him added to the dampness of his skin. A woman sprinkled water over the glowing red stones, in the middle of the sweat lodge. It sizzled and steam puffed up in thick clouds. She took a long drink of cool water and checked Gray Eagle’s skin for heat.

His fever still held, but would soon break. Song Dove sat back on her heels and closed her eyes. One man drifted into her thoughts and she cringed. A prisoner of Wind-in-Hair’s, made to do woman’s work. Rising Bear is to be treated as a lowly slave, but his muscles and kindness when they were alone followed her to her dreams. She felt her heart sink. Blue Wing would be gravely disappointed if she gave in to her desires. Her uncle had made it very clear that Rising Bear was nothing more than a slave.

Gray Eagle moaned and his eyes flickered open. Song Dove quickly moved to his side and touched his brow. The fever is gone. She moved to leave when his weak grip on her wrist stopped her.

“My wife? Where is Singing Fox?” Gray Eagle asked weakly. His hard stare the only thing holding Song Dove in place.

“They have not returned. Harvest Flower will come back soon. I must go.” She rushed from the lodge, his strong stare made her feel so helpless. Gray Eagle is truly a man to be feared. He and his late sister both were born in the Apache tribe, adopted by the Navajo when his sister married Blue Wing. Losing her and the child almost broke both Blue Wing and Gray Eagle.

Song Dove ran into Harvest Flower just outside the sweat lodge causing Song Dove to losing her balance. “Song Dove, all is well?”

She nodded standing up and brushing the dirt from her skirt. “The fever is gone, he asks for her.”

Harvest Flower nodded and walked away Not looking at anything in particular. Her deep thoughts kept her focused only on the steps she is taking. Song Dove quickly made her way to the bathing pool. Her sweat soaked dress clinging to her. She didn’t notice Rising Bear as she passed. His arms full of water skins. He knelt by the stream and silently filled them. His daily routine of filling water skins, followed closely by picking berries or other vegetables. He did all of Wind-in-hair’s chores, cooking and washing included. A fate worse than death for a warrior. He gritted his teeth in anger. He would be free soon enough and he would return home.

Harvest Flower knelt beside Gray Eagle. “I’m happy to see you awake.” Her hand floated over his forehead like a butterfly wing.

Gray Eagle frowned, “Where is Singing Fox?”

Harvest Flower looked down sadly, but answered truthfully, “She is still with Strong Moon’s people. White soldiers are here and Running Wolf has not yet returned.”

Gray Eagle closed his eyes and swallowed, “Strong Moon has offended the people. I will kill him for this. Singing Fox is mine.” Gray Eagle tried to sit up, but Harvest Flower held him down.

“You must rest first and regain your strength. Running Wolf will return with her soon. Once the white soldiers move on we will again be at peace.” Harvest Flower said quietly.

Gray Eagle turned his head away, “I go alone. It is my right to kill the man who took her in the night. I alone must do this.”

Harvest Flower sat back on her heels. “This I understand. Blue Wing follows and marks the trail. Running Wolf travels swiftly after them. Cloud Runner has also gone missing with your horse, and white soldiers camp below the hill. If I have any trouble from you I will not be a good wife to our Chief Running Wolf.”

Gray Eagle grunted, “You are a good wife. Cloud Runner the foolish brave, he goes to his grandfather. Running Wolf will disprove of me alone. No one will blame you for deeds done by others. I will speak to the white men in Running Wolf’s place.”

Harvest Flower nodded and looked over her shoulder at the warriors waiting by the door. “They will take you to your lodge rest and we will come for you when we hold council with the white men.”

Harvest Flower moved back and let the warriors lift Gray Eagle’s sick bed. They carried him to his lodge, where he could rest easier. Running Wolf would soon return with Singing Fox, but for now they must hold council and a plan of action would be made about the white soldiers at the bottom of the canyon.

………………..

Hanna couldn’t believe her eyes. The young boy tied up in front of her looked wild and frightened. His dark eyes darting from one person to the next. His small body looked almost as muscular as a grown man’s.

“Do you have to tie the child up? He can’t be that much trouble.” Hanna asked the major.

“Now miss Hanna, I honestly think you have a great deal to learn about savages. They ain’t no one to be showing mercy to. That young buck would kill us all in a heart beat if I turn him a loose.” The major said between bites of squirrel. His southern accent not fitting the blue uniform.

Hanna looked at the boy and reached out to touch his cheek. “He can’t be,” She pulled her hand back when the boy jumped. “that bad.” She smiled at the boy and held up some meat to his mouth.

“Don’t feed him.” One of the soldiers said from behind her.

“Oh, hush now. He’s got to eat something. Why you are no true gentleman by any means.” Hanna waved the soldier off. “Here now eat, you will need your strength.”

Cloud Runner saw the sparkle in the woman’s eyes. She would turn him loose soon and he would be free. He opened his mouth and let her feed him. He chewed the meat with interest.

“You like the taste? I cooked it myself. You poor dear. Here, more?” She held up another bite, smiling when he took it without hesitation.

Darkness was closing in quickly and soon the men around her slept. Hannah grabbed a skinning knife and knelt in front of Cloud Runner. “I’m going to let you go. Do you understand.” She waited for his nod. “I’m glad you understand, so be very cautious and quiet.”

She cut his ropes and in an instant he grabbed her hands. “You come.”

She looked around at the sleeping camp, “Me come with you to your village?” She whispered.

The boy pulled on her and nodded with a troubled expression. “Help me, help you.”

She gave in and followed Cloud Runner. “What does that even mean? Help me, help you. I don’t think I am in to much trouble.”

He grabbed the reins to his horse and lead it away from the others, Hanna close on his heels. “Birds talk with song.”

Hanna followed Cloud Runner closely, “Birds talk with song?” She pondered his words quietly following his lead. What could he mean by birds talking? His small phrases sounded clipped and almost every word mispronounced. She tried to understand his meaning, but her mind drew blanks.

Cloud Runner knew by dawn these men would die. Warriors already watched every movement of the forest. Their animal mimic calls rang in the trees. He had to get this woman away from here now. A life for a life. One thing his uncle taught him that he would never forget. Always return life to those who save yours.

Running Wolf dug his heels into his horses side determined to catch up to Blue Wing and Singing Fox. Already the signs Blue Wing left stood out with a glance. The paths blocked in several places had been cleared in small sections. Blue Wing has successfully been slowing Singing Fox’s captors down. The moon gave a bright light this night and Running Wolf was glad. This meant he did not have to stop. They came to a small forest and Running Wolf called a half to his war party. The sound of birds at night mad him uneasy. Light smoke drifting through the breeze gave him an erie feeling. Something was about to happen and if the ambush is meant for him he would be walking right into it. He dismounted turning to his warriors. “We rest here for a while. No fire.”