Running Elk

by Elizabeth Anne Porter

  Running Elk reached for the woman and held her at arm’s length. It was then that he realized the name he had given her was perfect. Her eyes were unusual. They were bluish-green with a fleck of yellow invading her right pupil. While he was looking into her eyes, he realized he could see her soul and that was on fire too.

  “I have decided to call you Two Fires,” he informed her before moving closer and kissing her deeply.

  “Two Fires?” she asked breathlessly when Running Elk moved from kissing her lips to kissing her collarbone. “That is beautiful, but why?” she asked in a whisper.

  “You have fire in your eye and a fire in your soul.”

  When he felt her knees weaken, he kissed her again.

  “Listen to me,” he said in a husky tone. It was growing increasingly difficult to convince himself not to disrobe her again, but he knew he needed to impress upon her how important his next statement was. “My band is going on a hunt in a few hours. I will ask a friend to keep an eye on you as you continue your journey. Do not look for him. He will remain hidden. But he will keep you safe if need be and he will be able to tell me where you are. I will find you; you have to believe that. But I cannot take you now. It would mean breaking a pact with your government. There is a strong chance it could cause a war, and I do not want to bring pain to my people. That does not mean I will not find a way. I promise we will be together again. Now you must go.”

  “Running Elk,” she said as she held him tight to her. “I have never felt this way before, but I don’t want to cause a war …” she began choking up as she spoke.

  Running Elk placed his hand under her chin and gently moved it so that she was looking in his eyes.

  “I will find a way,” he promised, turning her so that she was facing the way back to her small caravan. “Now you must go.”

  She hadn’t taken more than a few steps when Running Elk heard the gunshot. The warrior moved quickly, knocked Alexandria to the ground, and covered her with his body.

  Chapter Four

  Kicking Bird wasn’t happy about having to keep an eye on the three interlopers, but he knelt down behind the broken tree trunk and took in the scene.

  Two white men and a woman slowly began to roll up their packs. They didn’t appear to be in any hurry to continue their trek.

  “Go ahead and put the fire out. If Alexandria wanted more coffee, she shouldn’t have run off to bathe. I swear ta God, the woman is always cleaning herself,” the dark-haired man said as he stood by one of the horses before beginning to harness the animal.

  “I told ya she wasn’t gonna cotton to the trip before we left, didn’t I?” a lighter-haired man asked, clearly amused with himself.

  “Stop picking at Alexandria. She has been a real trooper so far. Although it would be nice if she didn’t daydream quite so much.” The only woman present spoke as she reached for a silver-colored water can.

  Kicking Bird was quickly drawing the conclusion that the woman his little brother was so taken with wasn’t popular with her traveling companions. But he didn’t have long to dwell on his thoughts as the woman emptied the can over the fire.

  Kicking Bird knew her next move would be to go to the lake to refill the jug, and he couldn’t let that happen. He tensed his muscles and watched as the dark-haired man moved closer to the woman before taking the can from her hands.

  “I’ll do it. I gotta fetch my wife anyway,” the man said with a grin.

  Kicking Bird carefully moved toward a tree he could conceal himself behind.

  The man stopped at the wagon and grabbed a shotgun before looking at the other two people. “Go ahead and finish up. I won’t be long.”

  Kicking Bird knew he couldn’t stay hidden any longer. Before shooting his gun in the air, he took a second to pray.

  ***

  Running Elk rolled off Alexandria and, after silently explaining the importance of staying where she was, stood up and saw his brother had been the cause of the alarm.

  When Kicking Bird caught sight of his little brother, his expression changed from disgust to pure anger.

  “This could very easily cause a war,” he said through gritted teeth when Running Elk neared him.

  “What happened?” Running Elk asked, not bothering to hide his confusion.

  “After you foolishly left my side, I decided to watch the others. And you should be glad I did. The one with the dark hair was on his way to look for his woman. I knew you were with her, so I did the only thing I could do. I fired my gun. I expected the group to put up more of a fight. The dark one dropped his gun and instantly put his hands in the air. The others began praying and crying. I don’t understand why white people fear us. They are the ones who started this war.

  “After I made myself known, I had to tie them up. The dark one started yelling, saying something about how if I didn’t kill them, he was going to send for the cavalry. Which is funny because he dropped his weapon fast enough. So, the loud one is gagged for obvious reasons.

  “I have not taken a life, so our treaty will stand. Although I may still kill someone before the sun rises,” Kicking Bird calmly explained, ending his statement with a warning.

  Running Elk felt bad for the distress he had caused his brother but was still quite happy with the events of the morning, so his brother’s threatening did not hold the weight it usually did.

  “It will be all right, brother. I will go get Two Fires and tell her to tell the others she was bathing in the pond. I will also explain the marking of a Creek war party to her. That will allow the settlers to place the blame elsewhere.”

  Kicking Bird didn’t appear to be much happier after Running Elk explained his plans. He huffed and began walking towards the trees. “You do that. I will meet you back at the camp. I have missed Sparrow and will put off our reunion no longer.”

  As soon as Kicking Bird was out of sight, Running Elk returned to where he had left Two Fires. She was sitting in a patch of particularly lush grass.

  Because he didn’t want to alarm the woman, he tried to hide his concern as he sat beside her.

  “The gunshot was my brother, but everyone you travel with is unharmed. If my brother hadn’t been close by, we might have been discovered, and that would not have ended well. When you return, you must assure them you are unharmed. If your party sends someone out alone, it will be dangerous. Staying together is the best plan. Can you make them understand that?”

  She nodded but remained silent. Running Elk could tell she was fighting back tears. He knew if she spoke, she would cry again.

  After kissing her, he pulled away. “I will find you again. You have my word,” he promised before standing and offering her his hand to help her.

  “I believe you,” she said as her fingers untied his necklace. “I will be waiting, and I will tell them everything you told me.”

  “Go,” he said half-heartedly.

  She turned and began slowly walking away from him. He watched as she tore her sleeve and rubbed grass on her dress. He stayed until he saw her running towards her friends, shrieking. As he mounted his horse, he said a silent prayer that the woman who held his heart was good at deception. She was their only hope to keep the whole situation from blowing up.

  ***

  Running Elk was in no hurry to return to the camp, so he let the horse walk at a lazy speed.

  Once he entered the encampment, he dismounted and walked towards White Wolf’s tipi. His mind on his task, he walked with purpose between the rows of tipis and around the bustling natives finishing with the day’s work. It was late afternoon, so most of the night fires had burned out and the cooking fires had been lit. Younger children were playing while the young men were being trained in the ways of the warrior.

  White Wolf did not immediately grant his little brother entry. Running Elk knew this delay was due to the shaman’s anger, but he was willing to wait his big brother out.

  Running Elk walked the length of the camp before returning to White Wolf’s and was relieved to
see his brother’s tipi flap was now open.

  Once inside, Running Elk closed the flap and took a seat next to his brother on the large buffalo hide which covered most of the tipi’s floor. The air was thick with ire.

  “When do we leave for the hunt?” he asked, getting straight to the point of his visit.

  “So, tell me, brother, was she everything you expected?” White Wolf asked as he glared at his brother.

  “She was. I would still be in her company if there was a way.”

  White Wolf made a grumbling sound at his brother’s admission. “Kicking Bird told me of the trouble. You know the actions taken tonight could still cause problems,” he said, standing and walking outside.

  Running Elk followed. “I believe she can deal with the others and control the outcome.”

  “Brother, do you really think the white men will listen to her? They care only that their women can cook and clean. Do you not remember how they think?”

  “I have told you, she is different. Two Fires is an amazing woman, capable of handling herself in any situation. She will deal with this. All that is required is that she keep them calm until they have traveled one more sleep.”

  “You had better be right. I do not have a choice now but to trust your judgment.”

  “I know I am right about her, but I have a favor to ask of you.”

  White Wolf looked at his brother with skepticism but allowed Running Elk to finish his thought.

  “I ask you to send someone to watch over her until her party gets to where they plan to settle. If not for the importance of the hunt, I would do it myself.”

  Running Elk knew just how much he was requesting from his brother but it didn’t stop him from asking.

  After letting out a long sigh, White Wolf spoke. “I will ask for a volunteer. But that is all I will do. As you know, most will be joining you on the hunt. If someone is willing, I will allow it. But only if Kicking Bird has no objections.”

  While the two were speaking, White Wolf directed them towards Running Elk’s tipi.

  “That is acceptable,” Running Elk said, keeping distance between the two. “When do we leave?”

  “With the sunrise. Now I suggest you go spend some time with your lonely wife.”

  Running Elk balked at the command. “No, brother, I will not. I am going out to hunt. Morning Star will need food when we are gone. After I return, if there is time, I will spend it with her.”

  “I do not understand how you can be so cold to Morning Star. All she asks is for a small amount of attention from you. Do not hunt now. You need to rest before the party leaves. You must not attempt to see her yet again.” White Wolf tried to temper his anger, aware that his brother was stubborn and lovesick. “I will go and speak to Kicking Bird now about a volunteer. If you must go, do not be gone for long. At least promise me that.”

  “Brother, my marriage is not your concern. I will bring the game to your tipi. Will that be enough for you? I know I cannot see her again. It would endanger our people, and I am not willing to do that. Even for her.”

  “You know I do not like to see you unhappy, brother. But you are right. Your first obligation is to our people.”

  Running Elk nodded and walked inside his home. Morning Star was nowhere to be seen. During the day, she had a lot of chores to keep her occupied, but she was usually curled up on the furs at night. Instead of worrying for her, he was pleased he didn’t have to explain his leaving again even though he knew she deserved an explanation.

  He walked quickly to retrieve his horse. The sun was beginning to welcome the darkness, so he knew he had to be quick. What he didn’t expect to find was several women bathing in the river. It was not difficult to spot his wife among them. She was smiling and giggling. He had always thought Morning Star’s smile was beautiful. Truth be told, she was a very attractive woman, but Running Elk couldn’t give her any more of himself than he did. Yet even feeling the way he did, he did not want any other man to touch her, and that confused him.

  When he pulled himself from his thoughts, he realized he had been staring at her and her smile was directed only at him. She left the others and began wading through the waist-deep water toward him, greeting his horse when she neared.

  “You never come in search of me,” she said, smiling.

  “As you know, I am leading the hunting party in a few hours. I cannot leave you with no food. My hunting has been lacking, and I will make sure you have enough. The hunt we are going on could take many sleeps. If there is time when I return, I will spend it with you.”

  “I will prepare a wonderful meal,” she said, reaching to touch his arm.

  “I’m sure you will. Now let me leave,” he said as gently as possible before he mounted his horse and rode away.

  ***

  She loved him so much that hearing there was any chance they would have some time together later was enough to make her happy. She was already planning the meal they would share. And she could hardly contain her excitement.

  As he rode out of sight, Morning Star watched until Running Elk disappeared from view. She was so attentive to her husband that she failed to notice White Wolf standing behind her. He touched her shoulder gently and smiled at her.

  “I am truly sorry he is so hardhearted to you,” he said.

  “I know he loves me. He just doesn’t like to show his feelings.” Morning Star turned to look at her brother-in-law.

  White Wolf was taller than Running Elk and had a very different temperament. White Wolf was a holy man who interacted with the people on a daily basis. Running Elk was a hunter and seemed to be happiest when he was alone on the prairie. They shared physical features. They both had high cheekbones and pointed noses. But White Wolf’s lips were thinner. He had a softer look. In Morning Star’s opinion, the gods had chosen the right brother to give second sight.

  “If you will allow me, I would like to walk you back to your home,” he offered as he waited for Morning Star to fetch the water containers she’d collected while cooling herself from the oppressive heat. “I cannot understand why you do not take my brother’s breath away,” he spoke under his breath.

  ***

  Running Elk soon learned he could not stay away from Two Fires. The woman was causing him to act completely out of character, but fighting the urge to see her wasn’t something he could do. Taking into account that his presence wasn’t helping to ease the tension he was sure the travelers were experiencing didn’t sway his actions. He was driven to learn if the other whites believed her story. Accepting that they would have little time together didn’t deter him in the slightest. His horse was moving in the direction of her camp. Even with his mind so filled with the woman, he knew he was going to have to catch some game. Knowing rabbit was easy and plentiful, he decided that would have to do. Morning Star did not need food. He may not have given her much of his time but she was never hungry. Her needing food was just an excuse he had given White Wolf.

  Two Fire’s party had only moved a small distance and were setting up their camp for the night. The men carried their rifles in their arms and were nervously watchful. Running Elk smiled at their actions, knowing he could still have picked them off before they knew he was there. The thought crossed his mind more than once. White people in general had never held a place in his heart. There were exceptions: Quanah, Sparrow, and Two Fires. But as a whole, he really didn’t want them around. White Wolf had told him the whites would come no matter what any of the nations did. It really did seem a bleak outlook.

  He lay on his stomach in the grass and watched her sitting at the front of the wagon, looking out onto the vast prairie. The breathtaking woman had a faraway look in her eyes again.

  Chapter Five

  Alexandria took a deep breath and ran into the small camp. She was greeted with the sight of her traveling companions, all sitting with their hands bound behind their backs, tied to the wheels of the wagon.

  Peter and Mary shared a look of relief when they saw her, but Ric
hard looked angry.

  “What happened?” Alexandria asked as she hurried to untie everyone.

  “An Indian was spying on us and when I tried to fight him, he shot his gun and then tied us up,” Richard answered, sounding braver than everyone gathered knew he was as soon as Alexandria took the sock from his mouth.

  “I didn’t see anyone,” Alexandria stated as she looked around the camp.

  She even managed to fan herself in an effort to convey worry, but wasn’t sure it was working.

  “That sounds frightening,” Alexandria said as she began packing the kitchen into the wagons.

  “Oh, he was plenty frightening. I think we should send Peter back towards the closest fort. Someone needs to know we were attacked,” Richard said as he finished reining the animals before taking his seat beside Alexandria.

  Before Alexandria could reply, Peter spoke.

  “I’m not going anywhere on my own. I think we just need to move along. And thank God above that we lived through the whole experience. If we come across any soldiers, then we can tell our story. Maybe I’m a coward, but I want to move along.”

  “I wonder why he attacked us,” Mary said as she shakily returned to packing up.

  Alexandria knew Peter was making sense whether he was talking out of fear or not. She was also aware that Mary was hoping nobody would dwell on her husband’s statement. The man hadn’t sounded like a coward to Alexandria, but it was clear Mary worried about just that.

  Nothing else was said until the four were ready to move. Alexandria attributed her companions’ silence to shock.

  Richard made a clicking sound and snapped the reins to signal the animals to move along.

  “Maybe we should move a bit. We could have been interfering with his hunt, or something as simple as staying too close to their water supply. And since no one was hurt, I think we should all be thankful. What do you think, Richard?” she asked, loud enough for the party in the following wagon to hear.