“Thank you,” Alexandria stated gratefully.
The chief’s words brought happiness to her soul. Alexandria had wanted to believe the general was lying, but hearing White Buffalo’s declaration cemented it. And after hearing the Kiowa chief’s explanation, Alexandria understood Abigail’s adopted mother’s lack of warmth a little better.
“Tonight, hopefully,” she answered, hoping she would still be able to talk Percival into allowing her to see Running Elk once more.
“If you can, you must tell him you have talked with me and let him know I am aware of the situation. I need to know how many guards will be escorting the wagon. Can you do that?” Kicking Bird asked, looking her in the eye.
“I will do my best. When do you want me to give you the information I am able to gather?”
“In two days’, time we will meet again. And the morning they are going to move him, I want you to come here. Do you understand?” he asked seriously.
“Yes, I can do that,” she said, finally breaking the trance the two were in.
“Now get some sleep. You will be safe here. You are surrounded by people who love you. And if you don’t mind, I will keep Little Eagle with me,” Kicking Bird said, rising as he pointed to the sleeping pallet at the back of the dwelling.
The fur-covered pallet looked far more appealing than the bed she was supposed to be sleeping on. In the back of her mind, she knew the smartest thing to do would be return to the fort, but she hadn’t felt so safe and loved since the soldiers attacked her village.
“Thank you,” Alexandria said weakly.
“You are my family,” Kicking Bird stated.
Alexandria stood and took the few steps necessary to reach the sleeping pallet. After lying down, she watched as the two warriors sat around the fire, talking to Little Eagle. Her son was still chewing on Kicking Bird’s leather strap and content with his company.
When she closed her eyes, she listened while Kicking Bird explained to Little Eagle the importance of the circle to their people. For the first time since Standing Bear’s death, she felt safe, and sleep came quickly. Her dreams were of she and Running Elk frolicking in a lake on a warm sunny day. But her dream was interrupted by the sound of horses’ hooves. She opened her eyes and saw White Buffalo still sitting by the fire, playing with her son. Kicking Bird was nowhere in sight. Before she could ask of his whereabouts, the flap to the tipi was thrown open.
“Thank God you are all right!” Captain Armstrong said with relief in his voice.
Alexandria looked at the man suspiciously. She had expected anger but hadn’t considered the man would show concern. “You weren’t invited in,” she stated, trying to remain civil.
“I was worried about you! Why are you here?” the captain asked, looking down at the silent White Buffalo but acknowledging him no further than that.
“Little Eagle was feverish and I was worried so I brought him here to a shaman. I fell asleep for a few hours, and for that I apologize. Did I break some sort of law?” she asked, acting innocent and naive.
“I want to believe you. I do. But I told you about hangin’ around here. These people don’t want ya. Now come on and let’s get you home,” the captain said, holding his hand out to her.
She bit her lip and allowed him to help her up while hoping White Buffalo understood what she was doing.
“Percival, can you wait outside? I will be right there,” Alexandria asked, smiling a fake but convincing smile.
“Don’t be long,” the captain said as he walked out of the dwelling.
Alexandria walked to the old man, sitting silent and motionless near the fire, leaned down, and kissed him on the cheek. “I am doing this for Running Elk. I will return,” she whispered in his ear as she took her son from the war chief’s arms.
When she walked outside, she was surprised by the brightness of the noonday sun. She knew she had slept for too long but felt better than she had in a long time and was anxious to speak to Running Elk again. But she knew she was going to need Jatana’s help to learn the information she required. Alexandria might not have liked the way Jatana got things done, but she couldn’t ague with results. And asking the captain outright was not an option. After tethering Little Eagle to her chest, she mounted her ride and followed the captain, hoping Jatana would know what to do.
“Would you like me to accompany you and Jatana today?” he asked as they approached the wooden gates to the fort.
“No, thank you,” she answered, trying to hide the panic she was experiencing. It was difficult to be in his company since she knew he was watching her. He had to have been outside the window when she was with Running Elk, but she couldn’t let him know she was aware of that fact. While she was getting down from her horse, the pieces all began to fall together.
After dismounting from his horse, the captain spoke again. “I will see you when you return then. And Alexandria …” he said, waiting for her to look at him. “Don’t go to the Indians again. All right?” he asked, making sure she understood what he was saying.
“I am not accustomed to being told where I can’t go,” she informed him as nicely as she could manage.
“I am only trying to take care of you,” he reminded her as she quickly walked towards Jatana’s home.
Once she was safely in the house, she saw a worried Jatana looking at her. “Are you all right? Where did you go?” she asked quickly, not giving Alexandria the chance to answer her first question before asking the second.
“I went to see White Buffalo. Last night I saw Percival watching me through my window,” she admitted as she laid Little Eagle on a blanket.
Jatana didn’t hide her horror or shock. “I am so very sorry,” she said, pulling Alexandria into an embrace. “I promise you he has never been like this before. I don’t know what has gotten into him.”
“I appreciate that, but it is not your fault,” Alexandria said, pulling from the hug and sitting on the divan next to Little Eagle.
“Were you able to locate Kicking Bird?”
“I was. What I need to find out now is when they are moving Running Elk and just how many soldiers will be guarding him,” she admitted with a concerned look on her face.
Jatana smiled at her friend and patted her on the back. “That should be simple enough. When do you need to know?”
“As soon as possible. I’m supposed to return to Kicking Bird in two days. But I don’t think learning the information will be as simple as you believe,” Alexandria answered, not at all as convinced as Jatana.
“Oh ye of little faith. I will have all the information by later this afternoon. I am going to have tea with the general, and he absolutely loves me. When I return, I will have all the material you are seeking,” Jatana informed Alexandria confidently.
“Thank you so much for all your help,” Alexandria said softly.
“Is Kicking Bird as handsome as Running Elk?” Jatana asked as she opened one of the living room windows.
The question caught Alexandria off guard. “He is a lot like his brother, but Kicking Bird is softer. Running Elk is more intense,” Alexandria answered, full of curiosity.
“They are a handsome race. Shall we get ready for our ride? If we do not go, then Percival will want to know why we didn’t.” Jatana explained, slipping from one topic to another easily.
“You’re right, and the weather is lovely today,” Alexandria agreed. “When we return, I will take more food to Running Elk,” she said, reaching for her son.
“Do you think that I might be able to meet one of your friends?”
“My friends? You mean an Indian?” Alexandria asked, still not sure where her friend was headed in the conversation.
“I would like to meet one,” she admitted, looking to the floor.
“Jatana, that’s nothing to be ashamed of. You can come with me tonight when I see Running Elk, if you’d like.”
“Thank you. That would be nice. No matter what everyone says, I know a proud people when I see them,” Jat
ana informed Alexandria.
Alexandria couldn’t help but wonder about her friend’s motives. Jatana had been extremely helpful, but Alexandria was still nagged by suspicion. Something deep inside her told her to be careful. Yet she couldn’t allow Jatana to see her concern.
The ride was saddening for Alexandria. She hadn’t taken time to take in the terrain before but quickly understood it wasn’t anything like the Indians lived and thrived on. Her surroundings were flat and barren with no trees.
While they rode, Jatana spoke about her husband, Ben. The man had been gone for months, and Jatana hadn’t heard from him in weeks. It was apparent Jatana was concerned, but the worry did not consume her. The woman told Alexandria everything about their relationship and about him. Alexandria listened to Jatana speak as she took the time to be in nature and enjoy the outdoors. The ride was pleasant enough until she saw the captain riding towards them.
“Well, it appears you were once again right about him,” Alexandria acknowledged as she tried to prepare herself for the encounter.
“Ladies,” the captain greeted, stopping his horse and removing his hat.
“Percival. I thought you were going to be busy all day. Honestly, I should have married you,” Jatana teased coyly.
Alexandria was glad the two were engaging in flirtations because she couldn’t help but roll her eyes.
“No, my beautiful sister-in-law, you and my brother are a match made in heaven,” he said with regret in his voice. “Alexandria, have you seen any land that meets your expectations?” he asked, turning his attention from Jatana.
“This land is barren. No one would live here by choice,” she stated plainly.
Jatana shot her a warning look.
“You’d be surprised,” he said knowingly. “But I am sorry you feel that way. Maybe you can stay here with me as an officer’s wife.”
Her stomach flipped and nausea rose in her throat. Instead of speaking, she steered her horse in the direction of the fort.
“Percival! You do have a way with women,” Jatana chastised sadly. “Let’s go and find her.”
“No. You have tea with Father to attend, and I am in need or a drink or two. I will see you later,” he said angrily.
Alexandria rode back to the fort and handed her horse over to a soldier standing outside of the stables. Before returning to Jatana’s home, she stopped by the guardhouse and informed the soldiers she would return shortly with food for the prisoner. Once they nodded their agreement, Alexandria walked towards Jatana’s. After going inside, she laid her son down and sat in the middle of the floor, trying to get her nerves to settle.
Captain Armstrong frightened her more every time she saw him. Scared or not, she knew if she ran, it would ruin any chance of freeing Running Elk. Choking back tears, she convinced herself that she would be fine as long as kept her distance from the persistent officer.
After fixing Running Elk lunch, she strapped Little Eagle to her chest and walked across the fort. Once she reached the guardhouse, the soldiers smiled politely and offered to take the food into the prisoner.
When she informed the soldiers she would rather do it, they looked at her and Little Eagle with question.
“Ma’am, beggin’ yer pardon. Do you think it’s wise to take a baby inside with a criminal?” one of the soldiers asked, clearly uncomfortable with the whole situation.
“My son will be fine. The man inside is tied up like an animal. I do appreciate your concern, but I have Captain Armstrong’s permission,” she reminded the men sweetly, though seething on the inside.
One of the soldiers unlocked the door and moved away. He didn’t bother to hide the fact that he was still not happy about the situation. “Do you want one of us to go in there with you?”
“No. I will be fine. If I need you then I will call out,” Alexandria said as she walked into the cell.
As soon as her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she saw Running Elk sitting where she had left him the night before, attempting to smile when he saw she brought Little Eagle with her. Instead of crying, she patted her son on the back and told herself to be brave.
After clearing her throat, she spoke. “Are you hungry?”
“Hungry for you,” he answered in his own language.
Running Elk sounded better, but his face was beginning to bruise and the swelling had set in. She was sure Running Elk didn’t want her to dwell on his injuries so she did her best to hide her concern.
“I’m glad you’re feeling a little better,” she said as she sat across from him before unlacing Little Eagle.
“Thank you for bringing our son,” he said with a thickness on his voice.
“You needed to see him, and I will not leave him with the captain again,” she explained as she laid out the food for Running Elk.
Hate clouded Running Elk’s features when he heard Alexandria’s explanation. “He has not hurt our son, has he?”
“No. But I don’t trust him,” Alexandria answered, looking at Little Eagle as he reached for Running Elk.
“What has happened?” Running Elk asked as he reached as far as his ropes would allow.
“Nothing … really. I need to talk to you, and I don’t think we have a lot of time,” she said, changing the subject to the real reason of her visit.
Running Elk didn’t look convinced she was telling the truth about the captain but nodded and waited for her to continue.
“I spoke to Kicking Bird this morning. Jatana is finding out the date and time they plan on moving you. In two days, I am going to take that information back to your brother,” she explained, thinking that getting her whole thought out quickly was the best way. She didn’t want Running Elk interrupting.
“Do you trust this Jatana woman?”
“I don’t know. I have been betrayed by everyone I ever trusted, except you, so I don’t know why she would be truthful either,” she confessed.
“You must trust your heart. Return to Kicking Bird with the information and then return to me and tell me what the plan is.”
“I just wish you could hold me and tell me everything is going to be all right,” Alexandria admitted quietly.
“I want that more than anything, Two Fires. But for now, you must return to your home,” he said, watching as his son pulled a leather strap from behind his back. “Where did Little Eagle get that?”
“From Kicking Bird. He’s wonderful with our son. And Little Eagle loves him,” she answered happily when she saw Running Elk’s proud smile.
“That is how it should be. Gray Eagle thought that way about me at one time. But he is a grown man now,” he explained as he tried to move a loose strand of hair from his face.
Alexandria leaned forward and moved the hair behind his ear.
Running Elk pulled away and Alexandria quickly recoiled. She couldn’t hide the pain she was experiencing.
“I’m only trying to keep you safe,” he explained quietly.
“I know, but this is so difficult. I will return tonight and tell you what Jatana has learned,” she said, picking up everything, placing it in the basket, and repositioning Little Eagle on her hip. “I love you,” she mouthed silently, before turning and leaving his cell.
***
Running Elk was appreciative for the time he was allowed to spend with his family. But being together was no easier on him than it was for Two Fires. Running Elk had never experienced love before he met Two Fires and had not expected the pain to be as strong as the love. The warrior closed his eyes and laid his head against the wall. He missed his pipe. He felt the need to pray and ask the gods one more time for the opportunity to live with his family.
Chapter Forty-Nine
Alexandria’s afternoon and early evening were a blur of activity. When she returned to Jatana’s home, she bathed and fed Little Eagle before laying him down for a nap and then began pacing nervously until Jatana returned. The thought that Running Elk’s life depended on the woman worried Alexandria a great deal.
When Ja
tana returned, looking as if she was about to burst, Alexandria knew her new friend’s meeting had been a success.
Alexandria was so excited to learn the details of Running Elk’s planned move that she left her son in Jatana’s care and rode as fast as she could to White Buffalo’s camp. Waiting had never been her strong suit and she wanted Kicking Bird to have the information right away.
She found Kicking Bird sitting atop of his horse, watching the clouds roll by.
The look of disappointment on his face was concerning until she realized his strange expression was most likely because she hadn’t brought her son with her.
“Why are you back so soon? Has something happened?” he asked with concern in his voice.
“No, nothing has happened, but I wanted to move quickly so that the captain wouldn’t follow.”
“Have you learned when they plan to move my reckless brother?” he asked as he walked his horse beside Alexandria’s.
“I have. They’re moving him by wagon. He is to be escorted by ten soldiers, and unfortunately, Captain Armstrong will be the officer in charge.”
Kicking Bird listened and noticed her feature change when she mentioned the officer’s name. “Have you had any further trouble with the man?”
“No, not really. I’ll be fine. I have to be fine, so I can keep seeing Running Elk,” she explained, trying desperately to sound more confident than she was.
“Thank you for the information. I will see you and my nephew in five days’ time. Come in the night and when you arrive, we will find a place to keep you hidden and safe while I help Running Elk escape,” Kicking Bird stated firmly. Leaning from his horse, he grasped Alexandria by the shoulders.
“I will see you then,” she said, not letting the man pull away; instead, she pulled him closer and hugged him.
Kicking Bird held her tightly. “I know you are frightened. But I am proud of your strength. It will not be long now,” he reassured her as he gently pulled away.
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