Broken Promise

by Theresa Scott

  Star gasped. "Chokecherry!"

  "It is true! Sageflower will not help me; none of the other women will help me. I cannot stay and let Cat Lurks do" She broke off and waved the silence away. "You are my only hope!" Her brown eyes were pleading.

  "Why can you not stay with Cat Lurks?"

  "I cannot tell you."

  "You must."

  "I do not want to."

  "I know that." Star shrugged impatiently. "But you are asking something very difficult of me. You know I do not want to leave."

  "Today, you do not. But what about tomorrow? You may want to leave him then."

  Star did not like having her indecision thrown back at her. "I need to know if you are truly in danger from Cat Lurks. Only then will I be able to tell you if I will go with you."

  Chokecherry stared at her, eyes ablaze. "Very well! You want to know my shame?"

  Star flushed in anger. "It is not that, Chokecherry! It is that I am reluctant to leave Falcon."

  "But you will do it?"

  "Perhaps." He had forced her to marry him, after all. She had chosen Camel Stalker. Falcon had ruined her plans for her life.

  "Cat Lurks forces himself on me."

  Star gasped.

  Chokecherry's voice was dull with pain. "Every night I tell him I do not want to mate with him. Every night he forces me. I do not know what to do. I cannot stay with him."

  "Have you told him to stop?"

  Chokecherry nodded her head. "Yes. Many times. He does not listen. Or care. He does what he wants to do. He says that because I am his wife he can do this thing to me. That I have no say! II do not like it. My body hurtsvery much. I cannot live with him."

  At last Star said slowly, "I will help you, Chokecherry. You should not have to live like that. And I do not want you to die trying to escape alone."

  Chokecherry smiled sadly. "Thank you, Star. II had hoped you would help me."

  Star nodded, wondering what to do. She did not want to leave Falcon, but she did not want her friend to be forced to mate with Cat Lurks, either. And the journey back to the Badger People was a risk; there were wolves and bears and cougars wandering the hills. Alone, Chokecherry would be in grave danger.

  The younger woman was watching her. Star patted her hand. "We must get the things together: water bladders, furs, warm clothes. Winter will come soon and if we get caught in the snows, we must be warm."

  Chokecherry nodded. "Let us leave soon. Before the snows come."

  "That would be best," Star agreed. She helped Chokecherry to her feet, all the while pondering what to do now. If she fled with Chokecherry, she could never come back to Falcon. From the little she knew of him, her flight would greatly anger him and set him against her. Yet if she did not help Chokecherry, the younger woman would surely flee and possibly die in the hills alone. Oh, what to do?

  "I am glad you are going with me," Chokecherry was saying. "It will be good. We will surely find our Badger People. You have good eyes for searching the land."

  "Yes." Star was beginning to wish she had not promised to help Chokecherry.

  "I think we should leave at night, when everyone is asleep," said Chokecherry.

  "That would be fine." Yet if she did not help her, Chokecherry would lead a life of misery. Oh, what to do?

  "Do not tell anyone. I do not want Cat Lurks to find out we have disappeared until long after we are gone."

  Star nodded, too dazed by what she had just promised to answer. Dread twisted her vitals. She had just promised to leave Falcon.

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Star hid the strips of dried camel meat in a basket. The meat was intended for her journey back to the Badger People. She felt guilty hiding the meat from Falcon, whom she was becoming more and more reluctant to leave.

  He was visiting Claw at his campfire and the two men were discussing where the Jaguar People should move for the winter.

  Star lowered a fur over the basket so that Falcon would not discover the small cache of meat she had stored away.

  And he was being so kind to her. He had overcooked two more meals and she thought he would never learn the correct amount of time needed to roast a bird. But he was trying. For her.

  Star rose and peeked out of the tent, wondering when he would return. She groaned to herself

  when she saw Chokecherry ducking between the tents and heading her way.

  Every day since ten days ago when Star and Chokecherry had first planned their escape in the ravine, Chokecherry had told Star some new part of the plan.

  Now the younger woman hummed softly as she walked along. Guilt swamped Star as she watched Chokecherry's approach. Guilt that if she went, Falcon would be hurt and angry. Guilt that if she did not go, Chokecherry's life would be unbearable.

  Not only that, yesterday afternoon, Chokecherry had told Star that she must flee soon because Cat Lurks had increased his threats to trade her to the slave catchers.

  Chokecherry arrived at the tent. ''Come, Star," she called out. "Let us go down to the river and fetch some water."

  Star dutifully got out the deer bladder she used for carrying water and followed her friend down the path that led to the river. As they passed two of the tents, Star caught a glimpse of Falcon. He was sitting cross-legged at Claw's fire. Horn, Red Hawk, Lance, and some of the other Jaguar men were there too. Relaxed and talking, Falcon looked young and handsome. He threw back his head at something Claw said and his laughter drifted over to her. How she loved to hear him laugh!

  Chokecherry watched her with a sad look.

  Star hastily swung into step behind her.

  "Cat Lurks forced himself on me again last night," said Chokecherry. She held up one bruised arm, where blue finger marks were clearly visible.

  Star winced. "I have not forgotten that I promised to go with you."

  Chokecherry dropped her arm.

  Star was silent while they filled the bladders with water and walked back. Chokecherry, usually talkative, was also quiet. They came to Star's tent. "I suppose I must return to my tent," said Chokecherry.

  Star nodded.

  "When will it be?" asked Chokecherry. "When will we leave here?"

  "Soon," promised Star.

  "I cannot take any more of this," said Chokecherry. She glanced over to where Falcon sat with Claw and Betafor. "I know you want to stay with him," she added sadly.

  Star shrugged, not knowing what to say. It was true. Yet Chokecherry could not escape alone, either. Alone, she was too vulnerable to the bears, cougars, jaguars, and lions. And she might get lost if the Badger People had moved camp since the Jaguar bridal quest.

  "You like it here with the Jaguars," said Chokecherry.

  Star nodded. "I like it with Falcon," she whispered.

  Chokecherry looked miserable at this admission. "Star, II need your help."

  "I know," answered Star softly, feeling as miserable as Chokecherry looked.

  A sly look came over Chokecherry's pretty face. "How could you forget Camel Stalker so easily?"

  Star was taken aback. "I did not forget Camel Stalker."

  "Yes, you did. He loved you. He wanted to join with you. Just as Finds the Marten wanted to join with me." Chockecherry's voice trembled.

  "Chokecherry," said Star softly, "they are both gone. Taken and sold to the Fish Eaters. There is nothing we can do to help them."

  "There is," said Chokecherry sternly. "We can return to the Badger camp and be there when the men return."

  "The men are not going to return! They are gone! Why are you so stubborn?"

  "I am not stubborn. I am faithful. Faithful to Finds the Marten's memory."

  Star shook her head, but Chokecherry's words raked her guilt anew. Indeed, she had been willing to forget Camel Stalker. "He is gone," she repeated, hoping to convince Chokecherry.

  The other woman shook her head. "He will return. I know Finds the Marten. He will not be content as a slave. He will do everything he can to escape!"

  Star listened
uneasily. What if Chokecherry spoke the truth? Camel Stalker would hate slavery, too. Surely he would try to escape. If he still lived.

  "Come with me," coaxed Chokecherry. "They will return to us. You will see."

  Star did not want to go with her. She did not want the men to return. That is, she did not want to marry Camel Stalker if they returned. She was happy with Falcon. The direction of her thoughts stunned Star for a moment. She was truly feeling content with Falcon! Whatever was the matter with her?

  "Star? What is the matter? You look strange."

  Star shook her head. "I was thinking."

  "About our escape?" said Chokecherry hopefully.

  "No."

  Chokecherry sighed. "Well, we must leave soon. The snows will be here."

  "Chokecherry," said Star slowly, "I think that I will not"

  "Well, well, well. Who do we have here? A gathering of the Badger dog-girls. How sweet."

  Star glanced at Tula. Her cruel tone belied her lovely face and attractive white streak of hair.

  Chokecherry frowned. "Who are you?"

  "Me? Why, I am Tula. And I know all about you."

  "You do?"

  Star said, "I think I will leave now."

  "Oh, no, you will not," said Tula, shifting her baby in the cocoon on her back and stepping in front of Star. "Hear me out, Badger woman."

  "Why?"

  "Because I have something interesting to tell you." Tula's eyes sparked with a malicious gleam.

  Star held her breath.

  "Horn told me that you two are making little plans to escape."

  "Horn?" gasped Star. "How? Ah, that day at the ravine!" He must have overheard her and Chokecherry talking. "But he was so far away!" Star's stomach clenched in dread.

  "You are both fools," said Tula with contempt.

  Star felt sick. If Tula knew, she would tell Falcon. And he would hate Star for planning to leave!

  Chokecherry looked pale. "Do not tell"

  "Do not tell me what to do," crowed Tula, rounding on her. The smaller woman eyed Chokecherry. "Oh, I know what you go through. I know Cat Lurks." She smiled a tiny smile.

  "Then you know why I cannot bear it!" cried Chokecherry. "You know that he hurts me! I must escape him. I must!"

  Tula smiled. "Must you?" The baby on her back gave a hiccup. She jiggled him up and down until he quieted. Then she turned to Star.

  "And you? Why must you escape?" Her voice was gentle. Even. Kind.

  Star warily shook her head. She would tell Tula nothing.

  Tula frowned. "Let me think. It would have something to do with my former husband, would it not?" She laughed.

  Chokecherry eyed Tula and Star. "Former husband?"

  "Falcon was married to Tula before he married me." Star hoped her terse words gave no sign of her racing heartbeat.

  "I hate him!" spat Tula. "I would do anything to see him destroyed!"

  Chokecherry glanced at Star, eyes wide, but a cunning smile crept to her lips. She said, "Well, if you help Star escape, that will upset him. I doubt it will destroy him, but it will annoy him."

  Star gasped at Chokecherry's betrayal.

  Chokecherry shrugged. "I want to go home," she explained guiltily to the ground.

  Tula smiled. "And you will. I will see to it myself."

  "You?" asked Star. "Why should you help us?"

  "Because if it will get rid of you"Tula's eyes narrowed"and if it will hurt him, then of course I will do it." She smiled sweetly.

  Star did not trust the woman. Not at all. Tula help her? No, there was danger in it somewhere.

  "I see," said Tula, "that you do not trust my words."

  "No, I do not," answered Star truthfully.

  "No doubt Falcon has told you many lies about me"

  "Falcon has told me nothing about you. He will not speak of you or anything that happened between you."

  Tula looked dumbfounded. "He hates me."

  Star shrugged. "Believe what you will."

  Tula eyed her, then continued, "In two nights' time there will be a feast to celebrate the choosing of the new winter home."

  Star nodded.

  "That night there will be singing and dancing and much eating. I will put some herbs in Cat Lurks's food and in Falcon's food."

  Star grimaced.

  Tula laughed. "No need to alarm yourself, Badger dog-girl," she said to Star. "It will not kill him. If I had wanted to poison him, I would have done it before now."

  Star thought of the food she had eaten while at the Jaguar camp. Dried meat she had accepted from Falcon. Dried meat Tula had prepared. She gritted her teeth.

  Tula laughed at her. "Escape will be very easy that night." She beamed at them, triumphant.

  "How do we know that you and Horn will stay silent about our escape plans?" Star was still suspicious.

  "Simple. I will not tell anyone, and neither will Horn."

  "Is he your lover?" asked Chokecherry. "Is that why you are so certain of his silence?"

  Tula gave her a withering stare. "He is my brother, you jackrabbit-without-a-brain!"

  "Oh."

  Tula turned to Star. "That is the best plan I can think of for your escape."

  "It is very good," admitted Star. Now what was she going to do? Tula was helping her escape, so success was assured. Chokecherry needed her on the journey home. And Falcon would hate her the rest of his life for leaving him.

  "What is the problem? I hear it in your voice. There is a problem." Tula glared at Star.

  "She does not want to go," said Chokecherry.

  "Ah. Is that right?" purred Tula. She laughed. "Well, I would say she has no choice."

  "That is what I would say, too," agreed Chokecherry.

  Chapter Twenty-four

  It was the night of the feast. Falcon was out visiting and Star glanced around the tent nervously. Tonight she would escape!

  She managed to hide 17 more strips of dried meat in a basket before Falcon returned. She was just covering up the basket with a deer hide when he entered their tent through the front doorway flap.

  "Would you like some meat?" she asked, moving carefully away from the basket. She picked up the oil lamp, a stone bowl holding rendered elk fat with a twisted wick of sage bark, and placed the lamp in the center of the tent. "It is late and you must be hungry."

  Falcon shook his head, his black hair sweeping his shoulders. "Betafor and the other women graciously fed the men and myself this evening's meal."

  A twinge of jealousy surprised Star. "I roasted plenty of roots," she encouraged. "I thought you would like some."

  Falcon shook his head. "Not this time." He glanced around and his gaze fell on the baskets lined neatly against one side of the tent. Star held her breath when he walked over and sat down on an elk hide near the basket with the fur coveringthe one holding the dried meat for her escape.

  Star watched him nervously, suddenly fearing he would lift the fur off the basket. She tried to concentrate on weaving dried bulrush leaves. "What did you talk about with the men?"

  "This winter we Jaguar People will live in the Bear Caves above the Bear River," announced Falcon. "Grizzly bears winter in those caves."

  "Grizzly bears?"

  He nodded. "Before the women and children come to the caves, the other men and I will go into the caves and drive out any bears that have started to nest there for the winter."

  "You must be careful, Falcon. Grizzly bears are very dangerous!"

  He was looking at her oddly.

  "Did I say something strange?"

  He studied her intently.

  She wanted to douse the flickering light of the stone lamp so that he could not see her, so hard was he staring.

  "The Bear Caves," he finally continued, "are warm and well protected from the freezing cold winds. That is why the grizzly bears favor them for winter nests. Hunting is good in that territory, too. The bears know this. Elk and deer come down from the deep snows on the hills. They drink at the river and
brush aside the snow, looking for grass. Sometimes my people catch fish in the river. It will be a good winter. You will see."

  Star could not meet his eyes. I will not be with you in the winter, Falcon, she thought sadly. I will not see the Bear Caves. At last she was able to look at him. "I have wintered in a tent before," she said, "and it was very cold. Three of our people died that winter."

  "Caves are better." He eyed her. "It is a good thing that you are married to me. You will be warm this winter."

  Her head jerked up at that.

  He smiled, confident, his even, white teeth gleaming in the dull lamplight. Star sucked in her breath when their eyes met.

  "You think well of yourself, Jaguar."

  "I do, yes." He waved a hand. "And why should I not? I have a woman who works industriously. You dry meat for the winter. You weave baskets. Many baskets." He laughed, indicating the line of them. "You tan hides. You are even making me a jaguar cloak. Why should I not think well of myself?"

  Guilt made her cringe inside. If he were to look in that one basket ...

  He pulled a basket over. "See? Dried berries. You are very industrious."

  Her hands fumbled with the bulrushes. "Falcon"

  He reached for another basket. "Bone awls. Your wedding dress. White moccasins. All neatly packed away. You are a good wife, Star. You keep my home tidy.''

  Her lips trembled to keep from crying out.

  "And this." He dragged over the basket with the fur covering it. He idly stroked the deer fur that draped the large basket. "Why, I think you must be the hardest-working wife in the whole Jaguar camp. You tan hides swiftly and cleanly; your cooking is very tasty." He rested his hand on the fur as he stared at her. "Any man would be proud to have you as his wife, Star," he said softly.

  Star met his bright eyes with a sick feeling. "II" Words failed her. At last she managed, "I am pleased that you like my work." She wove the bulrushes with hands that shook.

  He set the basket aside. The fur covering started to slide off. He caught it just before the contents were revealed and carefully replaced it on top of the basket.

  Star went limp with relief.

  "Come here, Star."