When Wind Warrior spoke next, it was so quietly, Falling Thunder had to lean closer to hear his words.
“The day draws near when I will have to fight my brother.”
“Because of the white girl?”
“Yes.”
“And you say you do not see the future—how could you know that?”
“I know it because Dull Knife watches her as you watch White Wing. But his reasons are not as pure as yours.”
Wind Warrior lifted his head to the stars and concentrated on a particularly bright one, and after a few moments of silence, his friend left him alone.
“Why, Rain Song?” he whispered. “Why must you haunt my thoughts?”
Chapter Thirteen
Twenty families had left the village by the Milk River and were now encamped in a desolate land with no trees for shade, and miles of nothing but tall grassland. Since the prairie was so open, Broken Lance had ordered the people to arrange their tipis in a tight circle so they could be more easily defended should trouble come upon them.
All of the warriors had ridden out that morning because an enormous herd of buffalo had been spotted near the craggy hills a day’s ride from camp. Broken Lance had been hesitant to leave his wife since her time to deliver was near, and the warriors would be gone for several days, but it was his duty.
Chinook was curled up on a buffalo robe, ever watchful. Rain Song handed Tall Woman a bowl of meat. “The heat is oppressive. You must rest as much as you can.”
“It is hot because there has been no rain.”
“If it does not rain, the village by the river may not flood.”
“Just because it is not raining here does not mean it is not raining in the mountains, Rain Song.”
“I know that is true. It is just that the waiting is so hard.”
“It is hard.” Placing her hand on her stomach, Tall Woman sighed. “This child waits long to be born. You must not let your father know I am not feeling well. The others look to him for guidance in this troubled time. He does not need a wife clinging to him.”
Rain Song was worried. “Are you feeling the birthing pain?”
“It comes and goes. Just when I think it is time to give birth, the pains stop.”
Rain Song reached for a water skin and wet a cloth. “I will bathe your face so you feel cooler.”
Tall Woman smiled. “There is such kindness in your heart, little one. I bless the day you came into my life.”
Rain Song bit her lip. The day she had come into Tall Woman’s life was one of the worst of her own existence. No matter that she’d learned the Blackfoot ways and taken up their customs, she was not one of them and never would be. “I love and honor you, my mother. But sometimes I yearn for that which I left behind.”
“I know this. But I could not give you up.”
The thought of leaving the Blackfoot stabbed at her heart. She loved Tall Woman, and even Broken Lance, who had given her a fine pinto just the day before. And to never see Wind Warrior—how would she bear it?
Tall Woman closed her eyes while Rain Song fanned her. “Sleep will be good for you. I will watch over you.”
Her mother’s lips curled into a smile. “You do that very well. You work hard, my daughter. Take time for yourself. I want to hear you laugh.” She clasped Rain Song’s hand. “It would fill my heart with joy if you could be happy.”
Rain Song said nothing. She kept fanning Tall Woman until she fell asleep. From the occasional frown that fluttered across Tall Woman’s face, Rain Song could tell she was in pain.
Yesterday she had heard some of the women talking, and they were worried that the baby was too late in coming. Rain Song wondered how much longer Tall Woman would suffer before this child was born.
It was afternoon when Rain Song stepped outside the tipi to find several women mounting their horses. With Chinook walking at her side, she approached them. “Are you leaving?” she asked Bird Woman, who would be the one to help Tall Woman deliver the child. The older woman’s hair was white, and she was rail thin, with wrinkles falling in folds. But she was the one the women depended on when they were ready to give birth.
“Spotted Flower has brought word that the men found the buffalo and need us to help with the carcasses,” Bird Woman said. “Let your mother know we will be away for two days.”
Worriedly, Rain Song laid her hand on Bird Woman’s horse. “My mother is feeling pain—should you not remain here? She might need you.”
“Does she say it is the birthing pain?”
“She does not think so. But—”
“It is only right that you should worry about her. But be comforted by the fact that we will be in a nearby valley. Spotted Flower says she will remain with you. Should Tall Woman need me, send her and I will come.”
Rain Song watched the women ride out of sight, feeling uneasy. Chinook laid her ears back against her head, and her neck hairs bristled. Rain Song turned to find Spotted Flower behind her, glaring at her.
“You must be feeling the heat as Tall Woman does, since you are with child,” Rain Song said.
Watching the wolf warily, Spotted Flower answered angrily. “Yes, I am with child! Charging Bull rapes me repeatedly and takes delight that I do not fight back. But you have a life of ease. You know nothing of what I suffer.”
Chinook did not like Spotted Flower’s tone and placed herself between Rain Song and her.
“I am sorry he beats you. I have seen the bruises on your face and understand how you have suffered over the years. If only we had been friends, it might have been easier for us both.”
“I do not need a friend. Certainly not you.” She pointed at Chinook. “And keep that wolf away from me.”
“She will not hurt you unless she thinks you are a danger to me.”
“Let me test that.” She reached forward and yanked Rain Song’s braid.
Instantly, Chinook leaped toward Spotted Flower.
Rain Song reacted quickly, catching the wolf by the neck and clamping her hands around the animal’s mouth. “No, Chinook. Do not!”
The wolf immediately pulled back, but her yellow eyes never left Spotted Flower’s face.
“Do not make any sudden moves, Spotted Flower. Back away slowly. I do not know if I can control Chinook if you touch me again.”
The woman stepped quickly back, her gaze on the wolf. “You do not suffer as I do. You are the daughter of the chief. No one would dare hit you or bruise your face.”
“You dared, Spotted Flower. Do not think I forget that you pushed me off the cliff.”
“Yes. I did. And look what happened. Wind Warrior rescued you and the very next day gave you this wolf. Everyone thinks he gave you the wolf to protect you from me.”
“Your words are bitter. You are bitter. But I am warning you, if you attack me again, I will not need the wolf.”
Spotted Flower merely smiled, taking another step away from Chinook, who still watched her every move. “The day will come when you will beg me to help you, and I will not lift a hand. I have watched you in your comfort while I am nothing but a slave to a man I hate. One day your comfortable world will crumble.”
Warning bells went off in Rain Song’s head. “That sounds like a threat to me.”
“Maybe it is. Or maybe I know things you do not.”
“I will not play games with you, Spotted Flower.” She stared the woman in the eye. “I know what you are capable of.”
Giving a half shrug, Spotted Flower frowned. “I did not say I was going to harm you. But I know those who might.”
A growl rumbled in Chinook’s throat and she flattened her body as if preparing to spring.
“Do not say any more,” Rain Song ordered. “My wolf does not like your tone of voice. I am warning you to leave while I can still control her.”
Cautiously Spotted Flower stepped back several more steps and then turned and walked away.
Troubled, Rain Song entered the tipi. Was Spotted Flower trying to warn her, or was it a th
reat? The woman was bitter, but her life was hard and Rain Song still pitied her.
Chinook watched Spotted Flower until she was at a safe distance, and then padded inside to lie beside Tall Woman.
Rain Song picked up the leather fan and fanned her mother. Something wasn’t right. All the women except for the very young and the very old had left camp. She would be watchful and allow nothing to harm Tall Woman or her unborn baby.
Chapter Fourteen
As far as the eye could see, there was not one tree, just the vast prairie. The spiky grasses rose and fell with the whims of the wind, giving the appearance of waves upon a restless sea.
But the prairie was not devoid of life. Rain Song watched a deer mouse scamper among the grass while a watchful hawk glided overhead. Farther away a gopher burrowed into its hole.
Loneliness enveloped Rain Song as she stared into the distance. She craved the sight of Wind Warrior. Chinook buried her nose into Rain Song’s hand, and she smiled down at the animal.
“Daughter,” Tall Woman said, coming out of the tipi. “Come, sit beside me, and sing one of your songs.”
Another day had passed, and still the baby had not come. Rain Song knew Tall Woman was uncomfortable although she would never admit it to anyone.
They both longed for the cool hills beside the Milk River.
Rain Song jerked awake.
Something was wrong.
Her heart was thundering inside her and she sat up quickly, shaking her head to clear her sleep-drugged mind. A bright moon shone through the opening at the top of the tipi and she could see Tall Woman sleeping peacefully nearby.
Had it been the howl of a wolf that awoke her?
Scrambling to her knees, she automatically reached for Chinook, only to discover the wolf was not beside her. Rising slowly, she quietly made her way outside, trying not to awaken Tall Woman.
The night sky was strewn with thousands of stars. A full moon lit the countryside and she watched the dried grass bend in the wind. It was desolate here on the prairie—the wind never seemed to stop blowing, and the heat was intense.
At first she hoped she might have heard some of the others returning from the hunt. But there was no sign of anyone—all was quiet.
Too quiet.
Suddenly Chinook came bounding out of the shadows, whining. The wolf bumped against her leg, and her golden eyes probed Rain Song’s.
She bent down to Chinook, rubbing the stiff hair on her neck. “What is it? What is wrong?”
Chinook moved away from her, trotting to the horses, which were kept in a roped-off area. Then the wolf trotted back to Rain Song. There was no doubt; Chinook was trying to warn her of something.
Then she smelled it—smoke.
Twisting around, she froze in fear as she watched flames lick at Spotted Flower’s tipi.
The fire must be extinguished before it spread to the other tipis. With the dried grass and the strong wind, it wouldn’t take long for the fire to rage out of control and kill them all!
“Chinook, wake the others! Hurry!”
The wolf seemed to understand because she threw her head back and gave a fearful howl that would have awakened the deepest sleeper.
Rain Song ran through the camp shouting as loudly as she could, “Fire! Everyone wake. Bring your water skins. Help me put out the fire.”
Racing across the distance, Rain Song knew she had to reach Charging Bull’s tipi and make certain Spotted Flower got out safely.
Rain Song caught her breath and slid to a halt: It was too late—the tipi was engulfed in flames; no one could have survived. Driven by a strong wind, the fire was already spreading to the nearby dry grass. If she couldn’t contain it, the fire would soon engulf the entire encampment.
Watching the tipi poles collapse, Rain Song was horrified to think of Spotted Flower being burned alive. Later she would grieve for Spotted Flower, but for now she must help the others. Utter mayhem broke out among the women and children as they saw the approaching flames. Realizing it was too late to save the remaining tipis, Rain Song and one of the older women tried to direct everyone to the horses.
She was learning about the strong ties within the Blackfoot tribe. They took care of each other in times of trouble.
Looking around, Rain Song noticed that Tall Woman was not with the women and children who had fled their tipis.
She gathered up the reins of two horses and quickly led them to the far end of the camp, where Tall Woman’s tipi stood.
Chinook glanced up at Rain Song, whining. “Stay beside me, Chinook. The fire is spreading quickly.” With Chinook running beside her, she reached the tipi. After she tied the horses to a stake so they would not run away, she rushed into the tipi and dropped down beside Tall Woman, who was stretched out on her mat. “There is a fire—we must leave this place at once.”
Tall Woman groaned, grabbing her stomach. “The baby comes. I cannot go.” She bit her lip against the next pain. “You must leave without me.”
“Never! You are coming with me.” Rain Song helped Tall Woman stand and watched her sway on her feet. “Can you make it to the horses?”
Tall Woman grimaced in pain. “I will try.”
“I will put you on a horse—just hold on until we are free of the fire. The wind is coming out of the north, so we must ride south.”
Tall Woman bent, gasping. “I do not know if I am able to sit a horse.”
“You must think of the child. Lean on me, my mother, and I will lend you my strength.”
At that moment another pain hit and Tall Woman doubled over. When it passed, Rain Song led her out of the tipi. By now she could feel heat from the rapidly approaching fire.
In that moment, a rider appeared in front of them, the horse rearing, and Rain Song had to duck to keep from being struck by the flailing hooves.
“Spotted Flower,” she cried out in relief. “I am glad you are safe.” She saw Spotted Flower had untied their horses and held the reins in her hand. “Thank you for coming to help us. If you will assist my mother to mount, I will make certain everyone else got away safely.”
“The others have gone,” Spotted Flower said, her face distorted in the shadows of the dancing flames. “I think only two perished in the fire. Too bad you will not be among the survivors. Neither will Tall Woman.”
Rain Song met Spotted Flower’s eyes and she saw hatred reflected there. “At least help my mother—she could give birth at any time.”
Shaking her head, Spotted Flower looked at the older woman and said with venom dripping from each word, “If you had chosen me for your daughter, I would save you. But you chose her, and today you pay the price for that choice.”
Shaking her head, Tall Woman turned to Rain Song. “What is she saying?”
“She is saying she will not help us, and she is taking the only remaining horses with her.”
“I started the fire,” Spotted Flower boasted. “I planned everything and it worked even better than I imagined. I will tell the others I tried to help you both, but I was too late.” Her expression hardened and her hands tightened on the reins of the other two horses. “Everyone will understand how sad I feel.”
While Spotted Flower spoke to Tall Woman, Rain Song took the opportunity to dart around her toward the horses. “You cannot do this.”
Spotted Flower laughed, swinging the reins to strike Rain Song across the cheek, drawing blood. “I have waited a long time for this night. I am only sorry I cannot stay to watch you burn.”
They were running out of time, so Rain Song gave the order, “Chinook, attack!”
The wolf was suddenly airborne, leaping at Spotted Flower and knocking her from her horse. Not wasting any time, Rain Song grabbed one of the horses’ reins and turned to Tall Woman, helping her mount. “Leave now. I will help Spotted Flower and then follow you.”
Knowing she had no choice, Tall Woman nodded, urging the horse forward. “Hurry. The fire advances swiftly.”
“I will be right behind you.” Hu
rriedly turning to Spotted Flower, she saw that Chinook was standing over the woman, growling low in her throat, her teeth bared in a menacing snarl. One word from Rain Song and the wolf would rip Spotted Flower to pieces.
“Help me before this beast devours me!”
Dark smoke was billowing in the air and Rain Song felt it clog her throat. “Let her up, Chinook.”
The wolf immediately obeyed, going to Rain Song’s side, her yellow eyes still on the woman. “Give me your hand. I will help you up, Spotted Flower.”
Spotted Flower watched the wolf. “Keep her away from me.”
“Chinook will only attack if she thinks I am in danger. You had better get on your horse and leave now. Let me help you.”
The redhead batted Rain Song’s hand away. “I do not want your help. You were supposed to die and Wind Warrior was supposed to be discredited for exposing the tribe to the prairie fire.”
“Why would you want to place blame on Wind Warrior?”
“Not I. I am not his enemy.”
Rain Song could not believe anyone could hate as fiercely as Spotted Flower. She had involved innocent people in her need for vengeance, and that was unforgivable. “Stay or leave as you will. The fire is dangerously close—you should not hesitate.”
“Is that all you have to say? Do you not want to tell me how evil I am?”
Rain Song struggled to lift the wolf in her arms, then mounted her horse, setting Chinook across her lap. “You do not need me to confirm what you already know. You must live with what you have done.” Rain Song suddenly lapsed into English. “Lillian, you will face justice for what you have done here tonight. Because of you, people may have died.”
Spotted Flower was crying as she mounted her horse. “I don’t care. Being dead is better than living with Charging Bull.”
The advancing fire had already devoured everything in its path, and Rain Song was having difficulty controlling her frantic horse. She was not sure either one of them could outrun the fire that was suddenly upon them. The wind had whipped up and the flames were advancing like a hungry pack of wolves. She jabbed her heels into the horse’s flanks and the frightened animal shot forward. As she raced ahead of the fire, Rain Song knew she had to catch up with Tall Woman.
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