Savage Beloved

“You now know the dangers of being anywhere near those ants, or the plant in which they live,” Two Eagles said, looking quickly into her eyes. “But something tells me I did not need to tell you that. I feel that someone else is responsible for this. Why do you not share the name with me? Or need I ask? It was Hawk Woman, was it not? She placed the plant in the tepee. You did not see it until it was too late and the ants were attacking you.”

Candy swallowed hard, lowered her eyes, then gazed into his again as he finished treating the last bite on her legs.

“I have no real proof who did it,” she said.

“No proof is needed,” Two Eagles responded. “You and I both know without proof, for I have seen Hawk Woman’s behavior toward you. Her jealousy is making her behavior even uglier.”

“Did you ever see her behave any better?” Candy blurted out, then wished she had held her tongue. She did not want to become vindictive like Hawk Woman.

She would not lower herself by such behavior. From now on, she would watch her words more carefully when she spoke of Hawk Woman to Two Eagles.

“I will warn her against her continued spiteful behavior toward you,” Two Eagles said, replacing the vial in the bag, to return it tomorrow to Crying Wolf.

Candy reached a quick hand to his arm. “No, please don’t,” she murmured. “It has become a ‘woman thing.’ Let we women work it out between us.”

“I could stop it now with only a few words,” Two Eagles said, reaching out and gently touching her on the cheek. He was glad the ants had not ventured to her face.

“No, please,” Candy said. “Now that I know how much she resents me, I can be more careful.”

Then she reached for his hand and held it lovingly on her lap. “And how did you find things at Proud Wind’s village?” she asked softly. “Did they come through the locust attack as well as we?”

“No, they were not as fortunate,” Two Eagles said, sliding his hand free. He turned toward the fire and gazed into its dancing flames. “They had not yet harvested their crops. Most were destroyed.”

“How horrible,” Candy gasped. “What are they going to do?”

“There is always the hunt,” Two Eagles said, turning toward her again. “I plan to go on a hunt with my friend Proud Wind and help bring home much meat for his people. The women will prepare it so that it will last them the whole winter.”

“But they need more than meat for their survival,” Candy maintained.

“Ho, and they will have what they need,” Two Eagles said, turning toward the fire again and lifting a log into its flames. “Our harvest this year was one of the best we have ever had.” He turned slow eyes to her again. “We will give them half of what we have put into storage.”

Candy’s eyes widened. “But you already gave the white man so much,” she said softly. “Can your people truly chance losing any more? What if it is a much worse winter than usual? What would you do then?”

“I will estimate what we can risk giving away and what we must keep in case we do have a bad winter. Again meat will help fill my people’s stomachs, for my warriors are good hunters. I am not all that concerned about sharing food with my friend and his people,” Two Eagles said, confidence in his voice.

“When will you take food to Proud Wind and his people?” Candy asked, hating for him to leave again so soon.

She was uneasy that Hawk Woman had gotten the best of her today. What else might the woman decide to do to Candy?

Yes, she was afraid. But she wouldn’t let Hawk Woman know it, or Two Eagles.

She didn’t want him to feel that he must be with her every moment in order to keep her safe. She wanted to prove that she was not the meek and helpless woman her appearance made her seem. She might be petite, but she was strong enough to take care of herself.

“Many of my warriors are already on their way to Proud Wind’s village with food,” Two Eagles said.

“So you can stay with me tonight?” Candy said, glad she would not have to spend an entire night without him so soon after what Hawk Woman had done.

“For tonight, ho, I am here to stay,” Two Eagles replied. He wanted to make love with her, yet knew that as long as the welts were so painful on her skin, he would not touch her in that way.

He eyed the blankets, and then Candy. “I have already bathed,” he said softly. “I am ready to sleep if you are.”

“Yes, that sounds good to me,” Candy murmured, then gazed at the closed entrance flap. “I just wish Shadow hadn’t left again.”

“How long has she been gone this time?” Two Eagles asked.

“I’m not certain,” Candy said, sighing as she stretched out on the blankets with Two Eagles soon beside her. “She was here when I fell asleep. And now she is gone.”

“I heard the wolves howling in the distance as I arrived back at the village,” Two Eagles said. “They were probably calling to Shadow even then.”