Hannah looked around her at the activity in the village. A large fire was being built in the center. Children were gathering around the fire, laughing and talking, as the pungent wisps of the smoke curled up toward the darkening sky. She watched as some of the children fed the fire more green ears of corn.
“The children seem so content,” Hannah said, smiling up at Strong Wolf.
“They should be,” he said, taking the reins of his horse as Little Sky brought his steed to him. “The children are always glad when the sun hangs low in the west. Soon will be the time when old legends are told around the fire.”
“Oh, how I wish I could stay and hear them myself,” Hannah said, then shivered inside when she realized just how late it was, and how long she had been gone. She trusted that her brother would not be as worried this time.
Strong Wolf helped her into his saddle. “I see a time when you will be here to hear all of the tales told by the elders, as well as the gossip of the women during the day,” he said, then went to his own horse and swung himself into his saddle. “When we are married, Hannah. When we are married.”
The thought sent a thrill through her heart, yet again there
was that torn feeling.
How could she marry him?
How could she ever leave her brother?
She rode away with Strong Wolf, smiling at the children who ran along beside her pinto, laughing and reaching up for her. She was envisioning another child that might one day be smiling at her from the crowd of other children.
Hers and Strong Wolf’s!
How wonderful that would be, she allowed herself to think.
Then the moon appeared as they left the village. She had stayed too long.
Chapter 16
Beloved, I, amid the darkness greeted
By a doubtful spirit-voice,
In that doubt’s pain.
—ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING
Hawk had finally arrived at his destination. He had watched the Potawatomis village from a butte all afternoon, and he had not yet seen Strong Wolf or Proud Heart.
Then suddenly he rose up on his knees and placed a hand over his eyes. Squinting he saw two figures on horseback ride from the village. He knew Strong Wolf well enough to recognize him from this distance. He was riding with a lady away from the village.
And not just any lady.
She . . . was . . . white!
While waiting and watching today, feeling some bonding with the people that he watched, Hawk had felt a great shame over having come this far for only one purpose. How could he do harm to two warriors with whom he had shared some of his youth?
He had visited their village.
He had played games with them.
He had challenged Strong Wolf and Proud Heart often in arm wrestling.
They had shared equally the victories!
They had shared in these things until his mother had ordered him against it when they had reached eighteen winters.
Since then, Strong Wolf and Proud Heart had seen him as someone who might be an enemy, since he could no longer speak with them or join games with them.
It was rumored, even, that Strong Wolf and Proud Heart had been told that Hawk would one day kill them for his mother!