Chapter Fifty-One
Running Elk was awakened by loud voices coming from the stockade. The voice was familiar to him; it was the captain’s. But Running Elk couldn’t be sure who the man’s anger was directed at. Knowing someone had caused the captain distress was pleasing. When he looked up to the lone, barred window, he realized the sun had not yet risen. Although his first thought was of Two Fires, he found himself interested to learn more about what had the captain so rattled. After slowly pulling his body as far as his restraints allowed, he listened.
“That bitch will not get away!”
Running Elk felt a chill travel through his body. His muscles tensed when he heard footsteps nearing.
“See what your woman did to me?!” the captain yelled when he threw open the door.
The soldier had scratches on his face and dried blood on his lower lip. His clothes were wrinkled and disheveled. It looked like the man had been in a fight.
Running Elk’s features didn’t change, but inside, his thoughts were in turmoil. He knew Two Fires was in grave danger.
“I will find her, and this time when she comes back, you’ll be dead and gone. I know you understand me, so I’m gonna let ya in on another bit of information; I ain’t gonna make it easy for her. She ruined any chance of that. And here’s the kicker … there isn’t a damn thing you can do about it!” the captain shouted with venom in his voice.
“No, Captan. I will watch you die,” Running Elk promised through clenched teeth.
The captain looked shocked when Running Elk spoke but quickly recovered. “I don’t think so. You have no chance of escape. Of that, I am certain.”
When the officer closed the door, Running Elk fought harder than ever before to loosen the ropes. His brain knew fighting was futile, but his heart was in charge of his emotions.
As the day slowly wore on, Running Elk forced himself to calm. Two Fires would run to Kicking Bird if she was in trouble. Knowing she was with his brother gave him some comfort. If she was with him, she was in good hands, and the captain had very little chance of finding them. Kicking Bird was doing the right thing, but his brother’s actions forced Running Elk to accept the fact that he would have no aid when he attempted his escape.
It was midday when the door opened again. To his surprise, he saw the white woman who was called Jatana.
The woman nervously walked inside the cell.
Running Elk said nothing but watched her closely as she neared him. He could see the woman had been crying and was still clearly shaken.
“Running Elk, I don’t know how to explain this, but I feel like I must try,” she said as she took a seat on the ground across from him.
Running Elk knew she was too close to him. He could have easily killed her, but she was a woman, and he had no reason to want her dead.
When the warrior didn’t respond, Jatana began recounting the story in hopes that he understood English. By the time she was finished, she was sobbing into her open hands.
“Did he hurt her badly?” Running Elk asked after he was sure he could control his anger.
The woman’s body relaxed when the warrior spoke. “I don’t think so. She was bleeding, but I’m sure it looked worse than it was. I am so very sorry,” the woman babbled.
“I need a knife,” Running Elk said, looking the woman in the eye.
“I can’t bring a knife here. I don’t even own anything other than my kitchen knives. They’ll be watching me closely now that I’ve helped Alexandria. There just isn’t a way,” Jatana protested.
“If you do not, then they will kill me, and I will never have a life with Two Fires,” he said, keeping his voice emotionless.
“I’m sorry. I wish I could help, but I’m a soldier’s wife. Above anything else, that is who I am,” she mumbled as she walked to the doorway, avoiding his glare as she left.
Running Elk rested his head again the dirt wall and smiled in spite of all the terrible news he’d received. Two Fires and their son were safe and traveling further away every minute. His future was in the gods’ hands as it always had been. He would think of a way to escape, and even if he was unsuccessful, he knew his family would be safe.
Chapter Fifty-Two
“We will stop and rest soon.” Kicking Bird spoke when he felt Two Fires lean against his back.
They had been moving since they left the confines of the temporary Kiowa reservation. Conversation had been nonexistent the first part of their journey. Both were deep in their own thoughts. Alexandria was sure they were both worried about the same thing; Running Elk staying alive.
“I’m fine,” she said shakily. “Maybe you can just drop us here and go back to help Running Elk,” she proposed hopefully.
The thought had been with her since they left, but she had been concerned about how Kicking Bird would react to her suggestion.
Kicking Bird turned on the horse and looked at her. “I am doing what my brother asked me to. I’m keeping you and his child safe. And there is nowhere you will be safe until we are far from the fort. There is no way I can help him and also help his family. I have made my decision, and we can pray he will be able to escape without my help. My brother is a resourceful man.”
Alexandria could hear the mixture of pride and sadness in Kicking Bird’s voice. She fought the tears, knowing crying would only cause Kicking Bird more pain. Holding her emotions in was harder than she expected. It felt like her heart was literally breaking in two.
“How far is the camp?” she asked, searching for any topic that would lessen the pain she was feeling.
“I have no idea. It all depends on the movements of the soldiers. If we are lucky, I should be able to pick up signs in two or three moons. I do know they are tucked in for the winter. This looks like a good place to stop for the night.”
“What if he’s still following us?” she asked quickly.
“Then I will see him coming. Get down and I will find some kindling for a fire. You have been through a lot in a short time. You need to take care of yourself,” Kicking Bird said as he untethered Little Eagle from his chest.
“My son loves you,” she observed, allowing the warmth she was experiencing to enter her strained voice.
“We will take care of the fire and finding some food. You rest,” he said as he pulled a buffalo robe from the back of his horse before walking away, giving her no time to object.
For the next three days, they rode as hard and fast as Kicking Bird dared. Alexandria was beginning to believe the captain was not following, and she was grateful for that. Kicking Bird’s actions made it evident that his main concern was getting Two Fires and Little Eagle to his camp as quickly as possible.
Their conversation grew friendlier with each passing day. Alexandria talked much about her life before meeting Running Elk but said little about the warrior. It was good to talk to someone she could trust, but she found attempting to speak Running Elk’s name was impossible without crying.
After making camp on the third night, Kicking Bird sat cross-legged across from Two Fires and sighed deeply. “I have decided you need to know my brother better. When you were with Standing Bear, what did he tell you about Running Elk?” he asked, absently pushing a stick around in the fire.
“He told me Running Elk was free to come for me,” she answered as she laid her son down. After clearing her throat several times, she continued. “Why didn’t he come?”
“You didn’t speak of this with my brother?” he asked in an obvious attempt to give himself more time to come up with an answer that wouldn’t cause Alexandria more heartache.
“There was never time. We never had any time alone … well, after the first night. I can’t imagine how much stronger I would love him if I really knew the man,” she said quietly.
“Two Fires,” Kicking Bird said, attempting to keep her mind from wandering. “Running Elk was told you carried another man’s child and that you were happy. Even after hearing that, he rode to see you.”
“Why did h
e leave without me?” she asked, losing her battle with the tears.
“He saw Standing Bear embrace you, and you didn’t appear to be in any distress,” he said, choosing his words carefully.
“I wasn’t happy. I was trying to protect our son,” she interrupted.
“Let me finish,” he said gently. “Standing Bear and Running Elk fought side by side. Running Elk was with Standing Bear when he took his last breath. And it was only after Standing Bear knew he was dying that he told Running Elk the truth.”
Alexandria’s head swam. It seemed to her that in the end, Standing Bear had been little better than Captain Armstrong.
“Standing Bear loved you almost as much as Running Elk does. Men do strange things when they feel so deeply. You cannot hate Standing Bear. He told Running Elk the truth, and as a result, the two of you were able to spend a little more time together. I am telling you these things so that you understand that you were never out of Running Elk’s thoughts. He loves you more than he ever loved another.”
“And I will love him forever,” she said, wiping her cheeks dry.
Alexandria understood what Kicking Bird was trying to do, but forgiving Standing Bear was something she couldn’t do. She didn’t hate the Kiowa, but she would never forgive him.
“You and Little Eagle are in his heart, and I hope that gives you some comfort,” Kicking Bird offered. “And I do have some news that you will be pleased to hear,” he said in an attempt to bring her spirits up.
“What’s that?” she asked, not sounding convinced anything he said, short of promising Running Elk would return, would brighten her mood.
“Gray Eagle seems to have found love with—”
“Abigail. I know. That was something Running Elk did tell me. While I’m looking forward to seeing Gray Eagle, I’m just not sure how I feel about Abigail now that I know the extent of her lies,” she answered honestly.
“She was only doing what she was told. I’m sure she is your friend, and it will be a good thing to have someone you know to talk to. Gray Eagle holds you in high regard also.”
“I was so worried that he died. I’m glad he was safe and yet another death wasn’t on my head. How much further do you think it is?” Alexandria said, quickly deciding having Abigail close wouldn’t be such a bad thing.
“I should have a better idea in the morning. Sleep, and I will make sure everything remains quiet,” Kicking Bird said, smiling at her when she laid down.
Alexandria snuggled up close to her son underneath the warmth of the buffalo robe and slept, knowing she was safer than she had been in a long time.
***
The next morning, after a quick breakfast of pemmican they continued their journey. They hadn’t been riding more than a few hours when Kicking Bird saw a faint wisp of gray invading the blue of the sky. The sight of smoke rising caused Kicking Bird to experience mixed emotions. He was, of course, glad to be home and close to his loved ones. But he knew the questions would begin as soon as the people saw Running Elk was missing. For the first time since he’d met Two Fires, he wished the woman didn’t speak his language.
“We will be home soon now,” he said, turning to her.
***
She took a deep breath and smiled. “I’m ready.”
“Then we will keep moving.”
Alexandria’s stomach was in knots as they neared the encampment. She didn’t look up; instead, she steadied her gaze on her sleeping son.
“Father! Two Fires!”
The voice was one she was familiar with; it belonged to Gray Eagle. When she looked towards the voice, she saw the young warrior running towards them.
“Where is Running Elk?” he asked when he neared them.
“We will speak later,” Kicking Bird answered as he jumped from the horse before handing his son the reins. “But for now, make Two Fires comfortable.” He used his stern voice in hopes Gray Eagle would not speak of Running Elk again.
“Come down,” Gray Eagle urged Two Fires.
Alexandria returned the young man’s smile, turned, and began to lower herself. Gray Eagle held his arms out to help her reach the ground.
“I am happy to see you,” Alexandria said, fighting back the ever-threatening tears.
Gray Eagle put his arms around her and embraced her. “Can I see Little Eagle?” he asked after comforting Alexandria. “I heard he was named for me.”
“He was,” she told him as she slowly released her hold on the young warrior.
Gray Eagle looked at the boy. He was wide awake and looking around at his surroundings but wasn’t crying.
“He is a fine boy,” Gray Eagle decided with pride in his voice. “May I hold him?”
“Of course,” Alexandria said, unwrapping the ties holding her son to her chest.
She hadn’t realized that Kicking Bird had taken the horse or that she was standing in the middle of the village.
It was a bigger encampment than she was used to, but the movements of the people were the same. Tipis lined a makeshift walkway and in the center, women were working on hides while several children ran and chased one another.
“Follow me,” Gray Eagle said. “I will introduce you to my mother.”
Alexandria didn’t move. Her legs suddenly felt too heavy to walk forward. Gray Eagle turned when he realized she wasn’t behind him.
“Are you all right?” he asked, rocking his cousin in his arms.
Alexandria didn’t answer him. Her attention was focused on the two warriors walking towards her.
“Hello,” the taller of the two greeted as he extended his open hand to her.
The man was tall and muscular. His features were relaxed, but his eyes looked as if they saw everything. He was dressed in leather and tassels. His long hair was parted in two and wrapped in fur and feathers. He was an impressive man with a magnificent presence.
She was taken aback but slowly moved her hand to meet his.
“I am Quanah Parker, and this is White Wolf. He is Running Elk’s brother. You are Two Fires. Kicking Bird told us you were here. Welcome home. You are one of our people now.” He spoke with sincerity and tenderness.
As imposing as Quanah was, Alexandria found it impossible to pull her gaze from White Wolf. The shaman resembled Running Elk even more than Kicking Bird.
Gray Eagle joined the group and stood beside Two Fires, waiting for her to say something.
“Ura,” she finally uttered but didn’t look away from White Wolf. “I am grateful to you all for giving us a home. I will do my best to learn your ways.”
“It would appear that you already have learned much. You speak our language well. Gray Eagle, do not hold the child so tightly. Let me see him,” Quanah said sternly, turning the direction of the conversation. Alexandria appreciated the man’s tactics. She knew it would be for the best if Running Elk’s name didn’t come up. She had no answers and hearing his name only caused her pain.
Alexandria was still staring at White Wolf when he finally spoke. “Two Fires, I feel like I owe you an apology. If it had not been for me, you and Running Elk might have been together long ago. I let my feelings cloud my visions. But I am glad to finally meet you. You are indeed a special woman. We will talk more later. Now I must tell my Morning Star you have arrived,” he stated politely as he backed away.
“Come with me, Two Fires. You need to meet your family,” Quanah suggested gently, taking her by the hand as he held Little Eagle close to his heart with the other one.
Alexandria walked beside the man obediently, looking to Gray Eagle for support.
While they were slowly making their way through the center of the village, Gray Eagle leaned into Alexandria and whispered in her ear, “Where is he?”
“I don’t know,” Alexandria answered with tears filling her eyes. “I’m sure your father will tell you everything. All I can do is hope and pray he’s on his way.”
“I’m sure he is,” Gray Eagle said cheerfully as he wiped a tear from her cheek.
&nb
sp; Quanah cleared his throat, and Gray Eagle said his goodbyes.
Chapter Fifty-Three
The bitter cold set in two weeks later; the relentless snows came a week after that, and there was still no sign of Running Elk. Alexandria tried to stay busy with her son and new family. When she was alone, she still cried herself to sleep.
She spoke to Abigail not long after she arrived and listened to the tearful apology laced with promises of love and friendship. Abigail appeared to be truly remorseful, and Alexandria needed her as a friend.
Kicking Bird and Sparrow took her and Little Eagle into their home, and she was grateful to them. All the new members of her family wanted to spend time with Little Eagle, so she had plenty of time to explore the camp.
On one of her daily walks, she saw White Wolf approaching her.
“I was coming to ask if you would walk with me, sister,” he explained with a smile.
He looked so much like Running Elk that the sight of him still caused her heartbeat to quicken until she convinced herself it wasn’t the man she loved.
“I would like that,” she spoke after a moment.
“Lead the way,” he said, smiling.
They walked through the wet snow for several minutes in silence.
“White Wolf?”
“Yes.”
“Do you think he will be back?” she asked quickly, before she lost her nerve.
“I do not know,” he answered sadly. “I pray he will, but I’ve seen no signs. Although I have had a vision of you.” He slowed his pace and waited for Alexandria to do the same.
“Me? What was it?” she asked, shocked at his statement.
“You carry another of my brother’s children.”
Alexandria stopped walking when she heard the shaman. “What?”
“You are with my brother’s child,” White Wolf repeated slower.
“It would seem the two of you cannot lie together with creating another life,” Kicking Bird said, walking beside Alexandria to join the conversation.
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