Savage Summer

by Constance O'Banyon

  Danielle retrieved the baby rabbit and held it to her face. She had humbled herself before Wolfrunner, only to have him reject her. She felt devoid of all feelings as she walked behind Wolfrunner. She knew she would begin to feel again tomorrow, but the pain was too deep to think about it tonight. She hoped he would never know how deeply his rejection had hurt her. Tears washed down her face, and she brushed them away angrily.

  What she needed now was her father to tell her everything would be all right. Of course she could never tell her father about what had happened tonight. It was as if when she and Wolfrunner had loved each other, it had been in a dreamworld created by the fierce storm. When the storm had moved away it had swept everything—feelings, emotions—away with it.

  When Wolfrunner reached the point where they would sleep for the night, he lay down and turned his back to Danielle. Bracing her back against the cliff wall, she allowed her hand to drift down to her stomach. She felt so different inside. She couldn’t blame Wolfrunner for taking her innocence, because she had brazenly offered it to him. What she had also given him was the gift of her love, but he gave her nothing in return. He didn’t want her.

  Little Cottontail curled up in her lap, and she placed her hand on the rabbit’s soft fur. A cloud drifted over the moon, and Danielle watched it shadow the land. Oh, yes, she had changed, but it had been a very painful experience for her. Nothing would ever hurt quite as much as having the man she loved turn away from her. After this night, she knew she could face whatever came her way. Now, more than ever, Danielle wanted to go home to Philadelphia. Perhaps then she would forget how she had humbled and humiliated herself before an Indian who didn’t even want her.

  After the night Wolfrunner made love to Danielle and then rejected her, she changed toward him. Now she, too, was silent and brooding. The tension between the two of them was heavy and uncomfortable.

  Inside, Danielle burned with uncertainty and anger. She had given herself wholeheartedly to Wolfrunner, only to have him throw her love back in her face. She was angry with herself that she had been such a fool. She had been willing to give up her life in Philadelphia, her family and friends, to remain with him. Now, all she wanted to do was go back to Philadelphia and never see Wolfrunner again.

  Danielle was still bothered by the thought that Scar Face was following them. Since they had been in the mountains, they had seen nothing of him. She hoped he hadn’t trailed them into the mountains, but deep inside she had the feeling that he was watching them.

  The day was unbelievably hot. Above them on the highest peaks, the snow was melting, causing streams of water to flow swiftly down the mountainside and making their progress even slower and more difficult. In the places where the streams were too wide, they would have to climb down the mountain until they found a narrow point to cross.

  Danielle stood by one of the gorges which had been cut into the side of the mountain by the water. The water cascaded down the mountain in a breathtaking waterfall. It was wide and swift, and she was wondering how they would ever get across.

  She held her breath as Wolfrunner positioned his spear on the ground and used it to smoothly vault across, landing safely on the other side.

  “I will throw you the spear and you must cross as I did,” he called out to her.

  “No,” she said, backing up and looking at the swift current which cascaded down the mountainside in a sheer drop-off. “I cannot do it.”

  His dark eyes narrowed. “You must. Do not fear, I will catch you. You have not been a coward in the past—why should you be one now?”

  Danielle tensed as he tossed the spear across to her. It landed near her feet, and she reluctantly bent to pick it up. She knew if she should slip, her body would be carried over the cliff wall.

  Wolfrunner could see her indecision. “You must do it now, Danielle. Just remember to swing your legs out so you will land clear of the stream.”

  She gripped the spear tightly, knowing if it had supported Wolfrunner’s weight, it would surely support her. Her eyes wandered to the sheer drop-off, and Danielle realized if she lost her footing, she would go over the side and plunge down below to her death.

  “Come to me,” Wolfrunner ordered. “The longer you wait, the harder it will be.”

  Danielle took a deep breath and quickly placed the smooth end of the spear on the ground. Without allowing herself time to think, she swung her body forward.

  As soon as her feet left the ground, she felt the spear slip and knew she hadn’t cleared the stream! Frantically reaching out, she tried to grasp Wolfrunner’s hand but failed. She landed in the water, and the swirling force carried her toward the edge of the mountain!

  Danielle could hear Wolfrunner’s voice calling out to her as the edge of the cliff yawned in front of her. Before she could cry out, she was washed over the side and seemed to be suspended in the air for what seemed an eternity.

  Danielle knew that if she didn’t save herself, she would be carried to her death in the deep crevice below. Reaching out her hand, she grabbed hold of a bush that grew out of the side of the mountain. Gripping it tightly, she held on with all her strength. The force of the water seemed to tear at her—she could feel her hands slipping. With a strength she didn’t know she possessed, she held on and swung her legs around so they touched on the ledge that jutted out above the crevice. When she felt the tip of her feet touch solid rock, she pushed herself forward and dropped down to the ledge.

  Danielle’s whole body felt bruised and battered, but she was alive! Hearing Wolfrunner call out to her, she lifted her head and saw him peering down at her.

  “Are you hurt?” he cried out.

  She stood up slowly and gazed up at him. She was still too shaken to speak.

  “Do not move. I will come down to you,” he called out. He needn’t have worried; at the moment she was too scared to move. Glancing over the ledge, she knew she had narrowly escaped death. Fear made her body tremble. Had she gone over the side, she would have been dashed on the rocks below.

  Suddenly she remembered the baby rabbit, Cottontail. Earlier she had placed her in the fold of her skirt. Now she was gone! Dropping to her knees, she looked over the side of the ledge. She cried out in pain as she saw the tiny furry body that had been dashed on the rocks below. Tears blinded her as she buried her face in her hands. She had loved the rabbit because Wolfrunner had given it to her. But for the grace of God, she, too, would now be lying on the rocks below.

  She rose to her feet and stared at Wolfrunner. His dark eyes were clearly visible, and she read the same fear in his eyes. Why should he care if she had met her death? Had she died, he would be rid of her. In that instant she realized that he had only saved her in the first place to impress Windhawk. He didn’t really care about her.

  She was about to voice that thought when she saw movement above Wolfrunner. It was Scar Face! He had his battle axe poised, ready to strike the unsuspecting Wolfrunner!

  Her voice seemed ripped from her throat. “Wolfrunner, behind you!” she screamed.

  She watched helplessly as Wolfrunner turned over on his back and assessed the danger immediately. He quickly grabbed the hand that held the battle axe. For a long moment the two men struggled at the edge of the cliff in a life-and-death struggle. Danielle could do no more than hold her breath and look on helplessly. After a time the two men were on their feet and had moved out of Danielle’s view.

  Without pausing to think, Danielle started the long and difficult climb to the top. Fear for the man she loved wiped out any thoughts of danger to herself. She used roots, rocks, and anything she could to gain a hand-hold. She was unaware that her hands were cut and bleeding from the sharp stones. Several times her foot slipped on the upward climb, but that didn’t deter her. All she could think of was that Scar Face might kill Wolfrunner, and she had to try and help him.

  As she made her way to the top of the cliff, she felt burning anger toward Scar Face. He was a savage—an animal who preyed on others to satisfy his lu
st for revenge. She prayed she could reach the top before he harmed Wolfrunner.

  Pulling herself up to the top, she watched the struggle that was going on between the two men. They were locked in a struggle of strength, and she knew it wouldn’t end until one of them was dead. Neither man seemed aware of her as they each battled for supremacy over the other.

  Wolfrunner seemed to have the superior strength, but Scar Face had the weapon. A scream escaped her lips as the Piegan warrior swung wide, catching Wolfrunner across the shoulder. Blood flowed freely down Wolfrunner’s arm, and he fell to his knees. Scar Face took advantage of Wolfrunner’s momentary weakness and hit him with the butt of his battle axe, sending him sprawling backward. Scar Face then leaped on top of Wolfrunner and raised his axe to strike the final blow!

  Danielle knew she must do something quickly or Wolfrunner would die! In her panic, her foot struck a hard object and she looked down to find Wolfrunner’s spear lying on the ground. Picking it up, she aimed it at Scar Face’s back, hoping her aim would be true. She knew she wouldn’t get a second chance, so the first one had to count.

  Throwing all her weight into the thrust, she watched and prayed as the spear sailed through the air. She had not been trained to fight as a Blackfoot maiden might have been, so she had very little faith in her ability to hit the mark she had aimed for.

  Her heart was drumming in her ears as she watched the spear enter Scar Face’s back. He seemed to freeze at the moment of impact. Then he turned slowly to gaze at Danielle with a puzzled expression on his face. Staggering to his feet, Scar Face stumbled toward Danielle with his battle axe now aimed at her.

  Danielle’s eyes were wide with fear as he slowly advanced on her. There was nowhere to run. Behind her was the swift stream that had carried her over the edge of the cliff earlier, and Scar Face blocked her front exit. Helplessly she waited for him to draw near. His weapon was poised in the air, but he never launched the missile. Falling to his knees, he muttered something in the Blackfoot language. His eyes glazed over and blood flowed from his mouth. Tears of relief stung Danielle’s eyes as Scar Face pitched forward, his body twitched, and lay still.

  Gathering up all her courage, Danielle walked toward him slowly. It was all she could do to force herself to touch the man who was her enemy. She jerked the axe from his hand and stepped back. There was little doubt in Danielle’s mind that Scar Face was dead, for his blank eyes stared at the sun without seeing it.

  Today she had committed murder, but she wasn’t sorry. She would kill a hundred men like Scar Face if it was to save Wolfrunner’s life.

  Turning her gaze to Wolfrunner, she ran quickly to him. Going down on her knees, she took his hand in hers. His eyes were glazed with pain and blood was freely flowing from his shoulder. She didn’t know how badly he was wounded, but at least he still lived.

  “I…owe you my life…” he whispered. “Can…not seem to move.”

  “We are even now,” she answered. “From this moment forward, neither of us owes the other anything.”

  Wolfrunner tried to rise, but he was too weak and fell backward into unconsciousness. She leaned forward to examine his wound. She knew she would have to do something to stop the flow of blood or he might bleed to death. His head wound didn’t appear to be serious, but she didn’t know about the other wounds.

  Danielle tore a strip from her skirt and plunged it into the stream. She could do nothing beyond cleansing and bandaging the wound. She prayed that would be enough.

  Danielle raised him up and rested his head in her lap to make him more comfortable. How strange it seemed for him to be so still. He had always been so full of life. Her hand rested against his cheek. She loved this man beyond anything she could imagine. Today she had killed so he might live. Surely God wouldn’t take Wolfrunner away from her now. She didn’t know how long she sat there holding his head in her lap, but the evening shadows were creeping across the mountain when she finally decided she had to do something.

  Gently lying Wolfrunner’s head down, Danielle stood up. Her legs felt stiff and cramped from sitting so long in one position. Knowing she had to move him away from the edge of the cliff, she took Wolfrunner’s arms, pulling and tugging with all her strength. Danielle made slow progress, but at last the deed was accomplished and he was safely against the face of the mountain.

  As night began to fall, Danielle could hear the eerie sound of howling wolves in the distance. Gripping the axe tightly, she hoped her courage wouldn’t be tested further. It had turned colder—a chilling wind blew down the mountainside. Lying down beside Wolfrunner, she curled up against his body, trying to keep him warm.

  “You cannot die,” she cried. “I will not allow you to. A brave warrior should not die at the hands of a coward.”

  All through the night, Wolfrunner didn’t stir. Danielle held him, loving him with her whole heart. Deep inside she knew that a man with his strength and courage couldn’t die so easily. She would hold on to him, and by sheer will keep the flame of life burning within him.

  When morning came, Danielle had fallen asleep from exhaustion. She wasn’t aware when Wolfrunner sat up and looked around. His eyes rested on Scar Face who lay facedown with the spear sticking out of his back. His dark eyes then moved to the lovely face of the woman he loved. Danielle had saved his life! He didn’t know how she had accomplished it, but then, did not the blood of chiefs run in her veins?

  His hand gently brushed a tress of hair from her face. Surely she had been meant to be his woman. Why had the Great One placed her out of reach for him? He would never be allowed to step over the line to take an Indian princess as his bride. Wolfrunner knew he would have to be content to live on memories of the many days and nights he had spent with Danielle.

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Sky Dancer turned her face to the sun and felt its warming rays. The very air she breathed was reviving her spirit and filling her with a renewed sense of belonging. She and her Uncle Tag had been traveling in Blackfoot country for two days—she was almost home. But would it still be home to her?

  Her eyes drank in the beauty of the green grasses, the mountains, and the rivers. She was coming home to be reborn. This was where she drew her strength. This was where she would finally heal her mind and spirit.

  Tag moved his mount closer to Sky Dancer’s and she noticed his hand was resting on his rifle. Her keen hearing picked the sounds of riders, and she watched as a dozen warriors topped the hill in front of them.

  In a split second, Sky Dancer knew they were warriors from her own tribe. Her heart lightened, and she nudged her horse forward to join them. Riding up the hill with the wind on her face, she felt joy ripple through her heart.

  When she drew even with the leader, she drew up her mount. Smiling brightly, Sky Dancer looked up at Gray Fox, her father’s best friend. “Has there been any word of Danielle?” she asked hurriedly, wishing with all her heart that her cousin had been found unharmed.

  Gray Fox looked at Tag with sorrow in his eyes. “We have found no trace of your daughter, Night Falcon. Your sister, Flaming Hair, sent me to ride with you to the village. Windhawk would have come, but he is out searching for your daughter.”

  It had been many months since Tag had been called by his Blackfoot name, and it seemed strange to him. “It is good to see you, old friend,” he said, speaking in the Blackfoot language. “How far to the village?”

  “We will be there tomorrow,” Gray Fox told him.

  “Let us go forward with haste,” Tag said, spurring his horse forward with an urgency, knowing the others would follow his lead.

  That night they made camp in the pine forest. They were in the heart of Blackfoot country, so there was no need to fear an enemy would come upon them in the night. This was Windhawk’s land, and rarely did the Blackfoot’s enemies cross into his territory.

  Tag was talking to a group of warriors, and Sky Dancer walked away from camp. Her eyes drank in the beauty of the forest. She quietly watched the abundant ani
mal life that thrived in the woods. Across a small meadow, she watched a doe and its fawn drinking from a stream. There were no town noises here to distract one from the serenity—there was only peace and beauty. The other world, the white man’s world, was a lifetime away.

  “It lightens my heart to look upon your face once more, Sky Dancer,” Gray Fox said, coming out of the shadows. “It was not the same with you away.”

  She smiled at her father’s war chief. Gray Fox and Windhawk had grown to manhood together. He had always been a part of her life, and she had missed him.

  “I am home to stay, Gray Fox.” She moved her hands to indicate the countryside. “This is where I belong.”

  “All will be glad that you have returned. Your mother needs you right now.”

  Sky Dancer watched the softness that came into Gray Fox’s eyes when he spoke of her mother. She had always suspected that the war chief secretly loved her mother. “This is a sad homecoming. My heart is heavy that my grandmother no longer walks the earth, and I am so frightened at what might have happened to Danielle.”

  “Everything has stopped at the village. The warriors no longer hunt the buffalo because Windhawk wanted all available warriors to search for your cousin. I do not think it is a good sign that we have not yet found any trace of her.”

  “What do you think could have happened to her, Gray Fox?” Sky Dancer questioned.

  Gray Fox raised his hands in a hopeless gesture. “It is hard to say. You know Windhawk has many enemies. The man who took your cousin must have planned carefully, perhaps for years. We have come to think whoever took her thought that they had taken you.”

  Sky Dancer’s eyes widened in horror. “Poor Danielle. I am grieved that she should be mistaken for me. She has soft manners and is not accustomed to the Indian ways. I wish…I wish she could be found quickly. I will not allow myself to think that Danielle is…dead.”