Gray Eagle stood and walked towards his father. Running Elk moved towards Abigail, and he shook his head at his nephew as their paths crossed. When Gray Eagle lowered his head and avoided his uncle’s grin, Running Elk couldn’t stop his suppressed laughter from breaking through.
When Running Elk realized Gray Eagle had stopped moving, he turned back to him. “Gray Eagle, your father called you,” he said lightly.
“I …” Gray Eagle began to object to his uncle’s harassment but was interrupted by his father repeating his name in a sterner manner. The young warrior turned and slowly resumed walking in Kicking Bird’s direction. Gray Eagle’s head was held high, but there was concern on his handsome face.
“We need to talk,” Kicking Bird said as he guided his son in the direction of the river.
Running Elk started a small fire and sat across from Abigail. She watched him closely but said nothing.
“Abigail. You seem much calmer now. Do you think you can answer some of my questions without crying?” he asked while he was pulling out his pipe and tobacco pouch.
“I’ll try,” she answered, looking as if she was trying to stop her bottom lip from quivering.
“Good. Then listen. I knew Standing Bear,” Running Elk began. He discontinued his speech when he saw the shock on Abigail’s face. “You see, we fought side by side. The man died in my arms. I asked your elders not to allow Two Fires to know I was coming. As he lay dying, Standing Bear admitted to me that Two Fires never loved him. Was he speaking the truth, or was he just telling me what I wanted to hear?” Running Elk asked, not being absolutely certain he wanted to know the answer.
“Standing Bear was a great man,” Abigail stated. “But the truth is … Alexandria never loved him. She was glad for his kindness, but her heart was always yours. When he found out about the scout you sent to the camp, he kept her close to him until the baby was showing. He was sure you wouldn’t want her if she was happy with another man. We both lied to keep her here. We knew she would leave if she thought you had any interest in her. I am so very sorry, but I was doing it for me as well. She was the only friend I had,” Abigail explained, realizing that blaming Standing Bear for everything wasn’t fair. She had deceived her friend and knew she had to speak of it.
Running Elk sat and smoked his pipe while he listened to the woman tell her story. He felt rage towards himself, but not for her. He could have stopped the situation if he had just ridden to the camp after Standing Bear was killed, but he had chosen to do the right thing and wait until Two Fires had time to mourn.
“Abigail, tell me of my son,” he urged, keeping his eyes on the woman.
“He is a handsome child. And very well-behaved. Alexandria never lets the child out of her sight. Before she surrendered, she promised me she would raise Little Eagle the right way, even if she lived amongst the whites,” Abigail said, allowing her pride for the baby to bleed through her speech.
“Little Eagle will know me,” he said quietly.
“Alexandria tells her son of you. In a way, he already knows you,” she responded quickly. “Did you give Standing Bear the necklace she wears after he died?”
Running Elk nodded. “He must have thrown it in the river. Gray Eagle found it shortly before I located him. When I learned who Standing Bear was, I gave it to him. I thought her having it back would give her strength to carry on until I came for her,” he admitted, lighting a twig in the bluish orange flames that danced before his eyes.
“It did just that. She hasn’t taken it off since she took it from Standing Bear while they were erecting his burial scaffold,” she said, speaking more quietly with every word.
“Does Gray Eagle please you?” he asked, changing the subject out of fear the woman might begin crying again.
Abigail looked at the handsome Comanche warrior and smiled a shy grin. “Yes, I suppose he does. I need time to heal, but he has shown me nothing but kindness, and I am thankful for that.” she answered, seeming to choose her words with care.
“He does seem to want to get to know you better, and Kicking Bird will remind the young man just what you have been through today. In the morning, we will begin to follow the soldiers. You will ride with Gray Eagle. But now you should sleep. Kicking Bird and Gray Eagle will be gone for some time. I know the conversation they are having, and it can be rather lengthy.”
Running Elk smiled when he remembered the conversation his big brother and he had had many summers earlier.
“Where should I sleep?” she asked meekly.
“On that robe. I’m sure Gray Eagle won’t mind sharing his things with you.”
As soon as Abigail made herself comfortable, Running Elk walked to his horse and pulled another blanket down. He laid it out beside his horse. “I will be right here,” he informed her before lying down.
“I’ll be fine,” she answered, sounding less than convinced.
“I know the memories are strong, but try to think on something else,” Running Elk suggested, knowing what the woman was going through.
She didn’t answer, and he could tell by her breathing that she was already asleep.
Running Elk put his arms behind his head, crossed his legs at his feet, closed his eyes, and said his nightly prayer for Alexandria and Little Eagle. He relaxed but didn’t sleep until he heard Kicking Bird and Gray Eagle return. He opened one eye when he heard Kicking Bird pulling his son in Running Elk’s direction.
“You will sleep with the men. Has nothing I just told you sunk into your thick head?”
Gray Eagle grumbled but followed his father’s instructions.
“Brother, you have a man on your hands now. I am sure I told you that earlier. Your efforts will only delay the inevitable. Abigail is just as taken with Gray Eagle as he is with her. All that is needed is time as long as your son is patient with the girl,” Running Elk informed Kicking Bird as he watched his brother lay out his blanket.
“Then we are in for an interesting few days. I am pleased my son has found a woman, but the circumstances could be better. How is Sparrow going to react to this news? Abigail is fragile and broken now, but she will heal. Will my son still feel drawn to her? Sparrow is not going to be happy that I allowed this to occur. But I guess I will have to accept whatever happens.”
Knowing that continuing to speak about Gray Eagle’s life choices wasn’t getting them anywhere, Running Elk changed the subject to one he was really interested in. “Do you think we will catch up to the soldiers?”
After Kicking Bird was comfortable, he answered his brother. “I do. They cannot be making good time with the prisoners in tow. We should be able to spy them by nightfall. Now, the dawn will come early, so get some sleep. Gray Eagle took the first watch,” he said, yawning.
“Do you think that is wise? Given the situation with Abigail?” Running Elk didn’t bother to hide his amusement with the situation his big brother was enduring.
“My son knows we have keen hearing. Anything unusual will wake us. Even with the new feelings he is experiencing, he knows how to behave. Besides, he does not want to anger me further tonight. Now sleep.”
Running Elk laughed softly. “Has it been that long since you first found Sparrow?” he asked before rolling over.
“No. But my father and uncle were not in earshot, and the situation was different as well. Now please go to sleep,” Kicking Bird said defeatedly.
“I will say no more tonight,” Running Elk vowed, still smiling.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Alexandria was surprised the soldiers hadn’t covered any more distance than they had when they decided to stop for the night.
The horses the soldiers were atop stopped moving and the soldiers who were walking corralled the Indians they were guarding. After the convoy ground to a halt, the men began setting up for the night with little enthusiasm but plenty of speed. As Alexandria was climbing off her mount, she wondered how long it would be before Captain Armstrong made an appearance.
The soldiers guardin
g her threw a dirty blanket to the ground and while doing so, informed her that the filthy rag was to be her and her “Injun baby’s” bed.
The man made her blood boil, but she said nothing. The captain seemed to be a man of his word and when he stopped by, she would discuss the soldier with him.
After rolling the blanket out on the ground, she decided she and her son would lie on the grass before they would touch the mucky, tatty bed. She was busy being aggravated by what the soldiers believed was proper sleeping material and jumped when she heard the captain’s voice.
“I am sorry I didn’t stop to see you earlier. I’ve been rather busy,” he said before she turned around.
She turned and a look of relief crossed her face.
He expression caused the captain to take a step backwards. “Now, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were glad to see me. But I’ll bet you will be even more happy to see these though,” he said, smiling as he handed her a clean bedroll.
“I am pleased to see you,” she admitted as she took the bedding from him. “Please find someone else to guard us. I cannot bear that man another second,” she explained, doing her best not to sound as if she were begging.
“I can do that. But I need to know why. Did he try to hurt you?” he inquired, concern marring his features.
“He has strong opinions and is eager to share them. I will not be leered at or have my son called an Injun. Anyone else you find will do fine, I’m sure.” Alexandria stated her case.
“All right. Tomorrow, you will have someone else. But for now, will you have dinner with me?” he asked with a smile on his face as he bowed before her in a grand gesture.
“Captain, that would be nice,” she decided as she unrolled the clean linen. “Thank you for the bedding. But tell me what the other Kiowas sleeping conditions are like,” she asked, feeling no reason to be treated differently.
“They are pretty much sleepin’ under the stars tonight. Now, you said you’d eat with me, so I will be right back with some food,” he said, backing up and returning his hat to his head.
“I will be here,” she said absently as she picked up Little Eagle from where he was napping on the grass and placed him on the linen. She kissed him on the head and spoke words of love before lying beside him. Knowing the Kiowa would prefer sleeping under the stars eased her mind a little.
It wasn’t long before she heard the captain return.
“I’m back,” he said cheerfully, interrupting her ongoing conversation with her sleeping son.
Alexandria sat up and turned to the man.
“I am hungry,” she admitted when he handed her a plate before sitting beside her.
They ate in silence, and Alexandria was glad for the peace. She knew her opinions of the Indians weren’t going to change and neither were his. So, it appeared they had very little in common. And Alexandria had never been one for forced conversations. There were feelings of guilt because she was sure the Kiowa weren’t eating much, if anything. The food was tasteless but she needed sustenance to keep her son healthy.
“Alexandria,” the captain said.
It was strange to hear him call her by her name and not the customary ma’am.
She looked at him, waiting for him to continue.
“Will ya ride with me tomorrow?” he asked hopefully.
“Please don’t think I don’t appreciate the offer, but I’d like to stay back, if you can find another soldier to guard me,” she answered cautiously, hoping her constant rejection wouldn’t anger him. He seemed like a good ally.
The captain nodded, but didn’t bother to hide his disappointment. “I’ve already found another soldier. His name is Corporal Scott, and he will be sleeping over there,” he said, pointing at the sleeping man’s figure. “I should get back to the boys. But before I take my leave, I feel like I must say this. Please do not attempt to run,” he warned, politely tipping his hat to her, keeping a smile across his handsome face.
“Why haven’t we met up with the other soldiers yet?” she asked as he was departing. Him asking her not to run had nothing to do with why she wasn’t trying to escape. She simply had nowhere to go.
The captain turned around. “They have been delayed. Which in turn has delayed my platoon. Army life is really a lot of hurrying up just to wait,” he informed her in a joking manner. “Sleep well, Alexandria.”
She found sleep elusive and was increasingly restless. Her mind was full of thoughts of Running Elk and Standing Bear. After tossing and turning for longer than she cared to consider, she sat up and looked at the stars that shone in the clear summer sky.
***
Not long after she dozed off, the sounds of the camp stirring to life and the bugler heralding a new day woke her.
She moved slower than normal, but at least she was moving. It wasn’t until she had her pack rolled up and Little Eagle attached to her chest that she heard her new guard approach.
“I am Corporal Scott. Captain Armstrong said for me to make sure you had everything you need, ma’am.”
“I’m fine, and my name is Alexandria. I prefer you use my name and not ma’am,” she said, doing her best to smile at the man.
Her initial impression of the new guard was the young man would be much better than the last. At least he seemed to be polite.
As soon as the camp began its march, Alexandria saw Captain Armstrong riding in her direction with the ever-present smile on his face. She forced herself to return his grin.
“Mornin’, ma’am. I hope you slept well,” he said in greeting, tipping his hat and running his hand through his hair.
“I slept fine,” she lied politely. “Do you think we will meet up with the other soldiers today?”
“That is the plan, but I won’t know for sure for some time. I was hoping I could ride with you for a spell,” he explained.
Alexandria knew the captain was paying far too much attention to her and could tell he was growing interested in her. The last thing she wanted was to have to explain to another man that she couldn’t possibly love anyone other than Running Elk and hoped speaking the truth would be enough. Having a friendship with the man could be helpful to her situation, but that was as far as she planned on allowing their relationship to go.
“Captain …” she began.
“Percival,” he interrupted.
“Percival,” she said, beginning her thought again. “I will never be good for you. If you are thinking I am good for anything besides company on the ride, you should stop. My child is the most important thing in my life and will be for some time.”
“I understand that, and hell, I commend ya for it. All I’m tryin to do is be your friend. Whether you know it or not, you need a friend,” he said, looking her straight in the eye.
“Then we shall be friends,” Alexandria decided, feeling much better about the situation.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Running Elk easily tracked the signs the soldiers left behind and knew they were closing in on the soldiers and their Kiowa prisoners. Besides the large swath of broken glass, the soldiers had also dropped everything from ammunition to canteens to food containers along their way. The blue coats hadn’t bothered to pick anything up when they left where they had camped for the night.
“We are close, brother,” Kicking Bird said as his horse walked over some discarded foodstuff.
“It will be good to set eyes on her again, but the frustration of not being able to grab her will be crippling,” Running Elk informed Kicking Bird as he was turning to locate Gray Eagle.
The younger warrior’s mind was full of nothing other than Abigail, and he had not been keeping up with the pace Kicking Bird and Running Elk set.
The last time Running Elk had seen Gray Eagle, he had dismounted from his horse and was giving Abigail freshly picked flowers. While Running Elk understood the young man’s feelings, he found himself quickly losing patience with his amorous nephew.
“Gray Eagle,” Running Elk whispered through gritted
teeth.
The young warrior acknowledged his uncle’s summons by looking in Running Elk’s direction and smiling. Abigail looked around Gray Eagle and smiled weakly.
Running Elk shook his head, frowned, and turned to Kicking Bird.
“He is your son,” he stated in disgust.
Kicking Bird laughed. “I remember a time not so long ago when you carried the same look as he does,” he answered.
“Yes, and look at where that look got me,” Running Elk reminded his brother bitterly.
“Brother, do not let allow your soul fill with hatred now. We know what we must do. You will bring Two Fires and Little Eagle home. Be happy for your nephew,” Kicking Bird said, turning serious.
“They are doing us no good. In fact, they may be slowing us. We should send them back,” Running Elk decided, speaking loud enough for the pair to hear his thoughts.
“No, uncle. I want to help find Two Fires,” Gray Eagle explained as he urged his horse closer to Running Elk.
“We don’t need your help. You are too preoccupied, and Abigail needs to be cared for,” Running Elk shot back, anger still thick in his tone.
“Running Elk,” Kicking Bird warned quietly.
“I will pay more attention. I’m sorry,” Gray Eagle said, looking towards the ground.
“Then you are aware we are close. I must set eyes on her, and then we will ride ahead to the fort,” Running Elk stated, looking in a westward direction.
“The fort?” Abigail asked in horror as she once again looked around Gray Eagle’s frame.
“We can easily hide among the others. The soldiers never have been any good identifying our bands. They will never know we are Comanche,” Running Elk explained.
“But I can’t go back! I’m white! And I told Alexandria I would rather die than return to my people,” Abigail argued as she fought tears.
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