by Karen Kay
Jacques Marcelle smiled at her kindly. “You should do as you think best, mademoiselle. No one can accuse you of not having done your duty for your grandmother. You have already sung three songs for us tonight. And in truth, we ourselves will not be here much longer.”
“Thank you very much,” Suzette said. “It has been a pleasure singing with you this evening.”
“It has been our pleasure.”
Suzette thanked the man and hurriedly stepped away from him. Picking up the front of her dress, she turned to thread her way once more through the crowd. She found Black Lion where she had left him.
“Mr. Lion,” she spoke up at once, “I am now free to leave. I would ask that you accompany me to Irena’s tent before we proceed to your lodge. It is late, and I would like to change my clothes.”
Black Lion nodded. “As you will.” Stepping away from the party, he proceeded to lead the way toward Irena’s tent.
“Where is Irena?” Suzette asked, as she followed him, holding up her dress so she could hurry to keep up with him.
“I cannot say yet, but as soon as you are able to sit, I will tell you everything I have discovered this night.”
“Is it that bad, then?”
“Not bad,” he answered at last, “but I think you will be upset.”
She sighed. “Then let us hurry.”
Suzette threw back the canvas flap of Irena’s tent and turned toward Black Lion. “Come,” she said, inviting him to enter. “This is a good place for us to talk, and I fear I am too anxious to wait until we go to your lodge.”
“Very well,” he agreed, and ducked inside. He waited until she had lit one of the gaslights and was seated, although he remained standing. “Irena has left with the medicine man who accompanied me here tonight.”
“The medicine man?”
“Hau.”
“When will she be back?”
He shrugged. “I do not think she intends to come back.”
Suzette drew her brows together. “How can this be? She has an obligation here—I believe she signed a contract. This is not something she would ignore.”
“Yet she is gone with him, and my friend cannot remain long in this country. He was here for a night only, and it was his intention to rejoin our people, to return to the place of my birth.”
“The place of your birth? The Sioux reservation?”
“The reservation is not where I was born,” he said simply. “As you might recall, I am not Lakota by birth. The territory of my people is farther to the north.”
“Yes. A question, please.”
He nodded.
“By your people, do you mean your original tribe?”
“I do. We are called the Lost Clan, and we are part of the Blackfoot Confederation.”
Her frown grew more pronounced. “I do not understand. I thought your tribe did not exist in the real world, that…”
“They are real. They are simply entrapped in a place that is part of this world yet not of this time.”
She shook her head. “I truly do not understand. If we go to this place, will we find your tribe?”
“We will not,” he affirmed.
“Then how can your friend, this medicine man, take my grandmother there?”
“I do not know, but he is a man of some spiritual power. If anyone could take her to our time, it would be he.”
Suzette clenched her jaw. “But Irena is real, flesh and blood.”
“That is so, as are my people. They are merely caught in a trap. That it is of their own making does not make it less a trap.”
“But if she goes there,” said Suzette, a cloud of apprehension marring her brow, “then she, too, would be enslaved there?”
“I do not know.”
“She would not be able to return here?”
“Again, I do not know.”
Truly alarmed now, a chill took hold of her. “I have a terrible thought that I almost hate to ask, but… Since Irena is real, is of this world, and your people, at present, are not—at least not in this time that we exist in—would it kill her to go there?”
Again he shook his head. “You ask me questions I cannot answer.”
“Well, someone—and that must be you—should take the pains to answer them. We are discussing my grandmother!”
He nodded. “So we are. I am sorry, but I do not have the answers you seek.”
“I am looking for a particular person—someone I met when I was in America many years ago. I have never forgotten him.”
“And do you love this man?”
“I do.”
In the stroke of an instant, Suzette understood what had happened. This man tonight was he—the man whom Irena had fallen in love with. It all fit.
“Do not be upset with me,” Irena had said. It was only now that Suzette grasped the significance of those words. It was Irena’s way of saying goodbye.
Goodbye? Did Irena know that this man was not a man, that he was… But if not a man, then what was he? A ghost?
Shivers racked Suzette’s body. If a ghost took a person to an unearthly place, would that other person not become a ghost as well?
No, no, it could not be. This man Irena loved…he had to be a real man. What Black Lion was intimating couldn’t be true.
But what if it was true? Were there not phenomena that we, as yet, did not understand?
That was it, then. Without another thought, Suzette knew what she had to do.
Lifting her gaze to meet that of Black Lion’s, she said, “When do we leave?”
He nodded at her, as though he had expected her to say nothing else. “I am ready to depart at once. But first I ask you to consider that White Claw is a medicine man, and if he loves your grandmother, as I expect he does, he will not bring her to the Clan if it will harm her.”
Suzette hesitated. “Can you swear to this? That no harm will come to Irena?”
“No man could make such a promise about another—”
“Then it’s not good enough for me. This is my grandmother we are speaking of.”
He nodded. “I understand. We can leave with speed—as soon as you are ready—if it is in your mind to go after her.”
“Very well. Wait here. It will take me little time to pack some clothes, some food and things for survival.”
“You cannot take any of those.”
“What?”
“Do you not recall that not only is Irena obligated to stay here with the show, so, too, am I. Plus there are some people in this country who say that all Indians caught off the reservation should be exterminated.”
Suzette gasped. “Surely not. You must exaggerate.”
“I do not lie or stretch the truth. No, if we are to go, we will travel through country where there is no path, for we must go in such a way as to ensure we cannot be found. Not only by any white people who might see us, but by scouts the Long-haired Show Man might send against us.”
She frowned. “Is that possible?”
“Hau, it is. But this way requires that you take nothing with you.”
“Nothing?” She arched a brow. “But what about a change of clothes? Feminine articles I need?”
“We will find these things that you require from the earth. But you cannot go about the countryside in this dress you wear now. Have you something that does not tear easily and is comfortable? Also, we will travel on foot, so your shoes should be well-made.”
“On foot?”
“There is no other way to scout. To go by horseback announces our presence.”
“But we’ll never catch them in time to save Irena.”
“We have a chance to find them, for they will have to travel in the same way we do.”
“Irena…walking hundreds of miles? And at her age?” Suzette turned a wide-eyed stare at him. “We re
ally must find her soon. I will go change…quickly.”
“Waste, it is good. But change only your clothes, not yourself.” Though he said it seriously, and his expression was sober, there was still a light in his eye.
Suzette nodded, but she didn’t smile. It would take much more than a pun to make her smile again.
Black Lion saw little to be gained in seeking to change Suzette’s mind—not when her grandmother was missing. True, Black Lion believed that White Claw would do nothing to harm the Song Bird, Irena. But, were his and Suzette’s places reversed, Black Lion knew he would leave nothing to chance; knew he would act as his wife did.
However, leaving the show behind them would not be without danger. Any journey ventured at this time of year would be hard on his wife, especially in her condition. Therefore, in addition to following White Claw and endeavoring to catch up with him and Irena, Black Lion must commit himself to keeping Little Blue Eyes and her babe safe.
There were other dangers as well. Since both he and Irena had signed contracts with the show, it was possible their absence would not go unnoticed, particularly when it could appear to the white men that both women had been stolen.
Alas, he could foresee many dangers and many duties ahead of him on this trip. But it didn’t also follow that their journey together was not to be without…pleasure.
They would be in constant company with each other. This he desired very much. It would allow him opportunity not only to come to know his wife better, but to also persuade her that he had married her true.
Perhaps, if he were lucky, there might even be other pleasures to be found. But he dare not think of that now. At present, it would be enough to consider that his wife might come to believe in him.
Suzette emerged in record time, dressed in a bicycle ensemble of deep-green velveteen. It was the height of fashion, with bloomers resembling Turkish trousers disguising her legs so well that for the moment, her conscience was eased. Leather boots, which extended up over her calf muscles, would protect her legs and feet. A deep-green velveteen jacket completed the apparel. Over her shoulder, she carried a purse that contained every feminine article she could have possibly crammed into it.
There were some things a woman couldn’t do without.
Black Lion nodded at her in approval. “We must leave immediately. Already it is the darkest part of the night, and dawn awaits. If we are to make good time, we must go now.”
She bobbed her head. “I am ready.”
“There is one other detail you should know. When on the trail, you must do as I say, without question, for if we are to travel without arousing suspicion, we must remain undetected, and not always will I be able to talk freely to explain myself. Do you think you can do this? Obey without question?”
“Yes, I think so. But you will keep in mind that I am with child.”
“Hau. Always.”
“Then I am ready.”
“Waste. Will you turn out the light, then?” he asked, and no sooner had she done this than he took her in his arms, planting a kiss directly on her upturned lips.
She moaned, not able to help herself, the sound seeming to rouse him, for his hands roamed up and down her body, over and over again.
It was delicious, and she sighed, melting her body into his. She might have done more as well, but she suddenly remembered this man might have secrets from her as yet undisclosed.
No sooner had the thought materialized than she shimmied out, putting some distance between them. Swallowing hard, she said, “I fear we must set some limits when we are together, for there are still matters that are yet unsettled. Know this: As a guide, I put my trust in you, but as a husband, I have little faith. Indeed, until I am able to question Rabbit Leggings thoroughly on the matter, I would ask that you keep your distance from me.”
Although it was evident he listened carefully to her, his jaw had jutted forward. “Then let us go to Rabbit Leggings now and awaken her so you may ask your questions of her.”
“We have not the time to do that, and you know it.”
“Then perhaps I should tell you,” he said, taking a step toward her, “that I have been released from my fear that I must withhold myself from you.”
“Oh? You have?” She took a step backward.
“Hau, I have. I can now be a good husband to you.”
His implication was clear, and though excitement burst along her nerve endings, seeming to come to pool at the apex of her legs, she took another step away from him, if only in self-defense. “You make a rather vivid point. However, though the prospect is…enticing…we would lose time, and at present, time is precious.”
“Hau, but before we go, I should warn you. We will be much alone, and it is my intention to lure you into my arms and to make you wish to be my true wife.”
She gulped and said nothing. However, she took one more step back in retreat.
He must have recognized the effect he had created, for he grinned and reached out to flick a lock of her hair over her shoulder. Then he smiled. “A man so loves a challenge.”
She inhaled on a breath and retreated farther. “It is not a challenge.”
He simply smiled at her. “Now, about scouting. There are some rules that you must know and agree to.”
“Oh?”
“Hau, it is so. Firstly, one does not walk, one crawls on one’s stomach or knees and forearms, in your case on all fours.”
“On all fours? You must be joking.”
“I am not.”
“For hundreds of miles?”
“Sometimes we can walk.”
“Sometimes?”
“We must go without detection, and these are the ways it is done.”
Closing her eyes, Suzette shook her head. “Oh, Irena, when we at last find you, you and I will have to have a very long talk.”
He grinned. “Are you ready?”
“I suppose that I am.” She sighed.
“Then let us be away.” With no more to be said, he bent down, coming onto his stomach, and crawling along the floor of the tent in this fashion, he exited out the back of it. She followed him—trying to do as he did—into the cover of bushes and trees.
“Irena, my dear grandmother,” she whispered to herself. “Just wait till I see you again. Just wait.”
It didn’t take long for Suzette to discover that scouting was, indeed, tiring. Her forearms and elbows, her knees and her calf and thigh muscles would never be the same. Nor would her bicycling outfit. Already the green velveteen was torn, and though she hadn’t thought to do so, she discovered that Black Lion would often backtrack, culling the ground for what, she didn’t know. More often than not, he returned with remnants of her clothing.
When she had asked him about it, he had said, “Such cloth as this will indicate our path, and until we are well out of the range of the show’s scouts, we must not leave a trail.”
This was a concept she hadn’t stopped to consider. “Do you think Cody will send scouts after us?”
“He might. Your grandmother was, after all, under contract, as was I.”
“Yes, of course. But isn’t it hard to do—to not leave a trail?”
“That is why I am often returning to go back over our path, to erase the signs of our passage over our Mother the Earth.”
Suzette tilted her head to the side. “Fascinating. It does take quite a bit of time, however. Not that I am complaining. I am happy for the break. But I do worry that we may not catch them with ample time.”
“I believe we will find them.”
“I am glad to hear that.”
They had ceased their travel for a moment, and were at present encamped beneath a giant oak tree, which sat in a glen protecting a small stream. Reaching into the pouch he wore over his shoulder, Black Lion protracted from it a breakfast of dried meat and chokecherries. Luckily, the st
ream would provide a drink of cool, refreshing water, making their breakfast complete.
“We could go on a little farther,” he said, “while the light is still dim, but I think not. We will rest.”
Though Suzette was so tired she could have gone to sleep right there, she objected. “I thought we would not stop at all.”
“We must rest during the day.”
“Rest?” she asked, even while she lifted drowsy eyes to meet his. “Rest when Irena’s life is in danger?”
“We do not know that her life is in danger,” he corrected. “We rest because you are tired.” With that said, he reached for her hand and brought her fingers to his lips. “You are with child. Do not forget this.”
“How could I possibly forget it?”
“Also, if we are to find your grandmother, we must not be caught ourselves. Therefore, we will proceed only during the evening hours, when our chances of being seen are slim. During the day, since we must stop anyway, we will rest.”
“Yes, yes, but—rest during the day?”
“Hau, I think we will erect a shelter here, since there is good cover, as well as water for food and for bathing.”
“Could I not simply lie down beneath this tree?” She yawned.
“And be easily found?” He grimaced. “I think not. Come, you can help me with this, if only a little, for I will need many sticks and pine branches.”
She sighed. “Oh, very well, if I must, I must.”
In the end, she did help him to erect a shelter. Made of earth, leaves, pine boughs, branches and grass, once Black Lion had landscaped the earth around it, it fit so well into the scheme of things, it did literally disappear into the environment around them.
By the time it was finished, Suzette was so fatigued that as soon as her bed of pine branches was laid out within that neat little lean-to, Suzette collapsed upon it.
At least her overexertion did one thing: It made for a very peaceful sleep, indeed.
Chapter Twenty
They had been on the move for four days. Traveling through each night, sometimes walking, but more often creeping over the landscape, they stopped each day before dawn to make camp and to erect another temporary shelter. Often, Suzette noted that their lean-tos were built around rocks, although once it had been nestled into a cliff. Each shelter was then carefully landscaped so that the eye could barely discern it from the natural environment. Her bed was often soft, made of pine branches when they could find them. However, if none were to be located, her bed then consisted of the blanket Black Lion carried with him at all times.