Swift Horse

“The one-eyed man who killed the cowkeeper and then abducted Marsha is carrying around a head injury today, for Marsha hit him over the head with a stone. She knocked him unconscious. I saw blood on the ground caused by the injury. This has to mean that if One Eye is the one who did this thing, he will not be able to hide the injury left by the blow.”

“That should be enough proof, do you not think, without my making medicines that will harm him more than he is already harmed?” Bright Moon asked softly.

“Yes, that is enough,” Swift Horse said, nodding.

“You will go to his village today and ask for him and see whether or not he is the injured one?” Bright Moon asked, bringing his robe more snugly around him. “To see if he is friend or foe?”

“No,” Swift Horse said tightly. “It is better that I wait for him to come to me. You know that not too many days have ever passed when we have not met and talked. I am anxious to know whether or not he is truly the enemy, yet a part of me says to wait.”

“It is because you are afraid to know?” Bright Moon said, reaching again and patting Swift Horse’s knee. “The longer you go without knowing, the longer you can still feel a friendship you are fighting against losing.”

“Yes, that is somewhat true,” Swift Horse said, nodding. “But when I truly know for certain that he is the one who has left a bloody trail behind him, I will not hesitate to make him pay.”

“When will you allow yourself to know . . . to accept?” Bright Moon asked.

“Our two clans are supposed to come together soon for the Busk Ceremony, so I shall wait and see if he comes, or stays at his home, which would prove he is hiding something—namely another scar that will never go away,” Swift Horse said, slowly rising. “I have waited this long to know the truth, I can wait awhile longer. I would like for him to feel that he got away with this latest evil deed, and then allow him to step directly into a trap.”

“You do speak as though you now truly believe he is the one-eyed man,” Bright Moon said, also rising and walking Swift Horse to the door.

“Yes,” Swift Horse said, turning and hugging Bright Moon.

“Will the woman be in danger the longer the one-eyed man is allowed to be free?” Bright Moon asked as he returned the hug.

“No one will ever get close enough to harm her ever again,” Swift Horse said, stepping away from Bright Moon. “She will be guarded.”

He went outside, and Bright Moon came with him.

Swift Horse looked up at the sky, then over at Marsha’s cabin, and then at Bright Moon. “My woman was weary from her trying ordeal,” he said. “She will be asleep for some time today. This will give me time to do something else that must be done.”

“And that is?” Bright Moon asked as he walked Swift Horse to his mount.

“I have never cared for the cowkeeper, but it is not a good thing to leave his death unreported,” he said as he started to swing himself into his saddle, but stopped when he saw Edward James step into the doorway of his store, waving at him.

“I am going to Fort Hill to tell Colonel Harris about Alan Burton’s death so that the soldiers can collect his body and give him a proper burial,” he said.

“And what of his cows and other animals?” Bright Moon asked.

“I am certain the soldiers will take them away,” Swift Horse said, gazing at Edward James as he walked toward them.

“It is certain that the cows will not be in our corn ever again,” Bright Moon said.

“Nor will the man be a problem again for our people, especially Marsha,” Swift Horse said. “Had I seen the true evil in the man, I would have known that he could do something as underhanded as to steal my woman away.”

“That is behind you now,” Bright Moon said. “But you have something else to work through. Go now, and I will pray for this that is troubling you.”

“Thank you,” Swift Horse said, smiling at Edward James, who walked briskly up to him and stopped.

“Your sister still sleeps?” Swift Horse asked, placing a hand on Edward James’s shoulder.

“Very soundly—and the back door is locked and we can see the front door,” Edward James said. He looked at Swift Horse and then at Bright Moon. “After last night, I was made aware of how quickly things can change and how quickly a loved one can be gone from one’s life.”

Edward James paused, then said, “I want to marry your sister today, Swift Horse. If she doesn’t feel strong enough for the formal ceremony, then we can exchange vows as she lies in her bed.”

“I am strong enough, Edward James.”

Edward James turned with a start. He gazed in wonder at Soft Wind, who was walking toward him, then slid his arms around her waist when she stepped up to him. “You are out of bed,” he said, smiling. “You are much better.”

“I am well enough to become your wife,” Soft Moon said. “And I want to marry you today, too. We should not delay it another day.” She looked at her brother and Bright Moon. “Can we?” she asked. “Or will it be too much trouble to do this so quickly?”