by Rita Karnopp
"Only ignorance would make you say such a thing. Women know little of things that happen during a vision. Your first lesson is never to question a warrior's decision. Second, I will not point out things I find unbelievable with your God, I expect the same respect from you."
"I'm far from ignorant. Women know more than men think. I refuse to be treated less intelligent than a man is! I refuse to believe only men know of God, politics, and what goes on around me. Where do you suppose women live? We have brains. We have feelings. We make judgments and decisions. Your first lesson is to never question my right to speak what I think."
Standing, she felt grateful some feeling had worked its way into her limbs, prickly and stabbing, yet useable. "Excuse me. I've made a decision to take care of nature," she stated in a harsh, controlled tone. Sarah turned away as warmth flushed her face. She slowly walked a short distance from camp, then worked the threadbare pantaloons to her feet. She thought about Two Shadow's words, then seethed. First lesson indeed!
She listened to the night, afraid of the unexpected, yet thrilled by the different sounds that made up life. It soothed her anger. She hoped to never take her hearing for granted. She thought of Trail Walker, and how Father Earth spoke to him. Was he listening to the night right now? Could Father Earth tell him that she had survived? "Where are you?" she whispered to the night.
Sarah made her way back to camp. She spotted a blanket spread out near a log. She headed toward it...aware Two Shadows watched her every move. She thought of Eagle Shield and wondered if he still watched over her.
Yet, she admitted, Eagle Shield didn't make her anger surface, her skin tingle, her body moisten, her pulse quicken, as Two Shadows did. Once he drew her into the dark depths of his eyes, her heartbeat accelerated. She had to stop thinking about him. She curled her legs up, pulling half the blanket over her. Within seconds her lids grew heavy. He could watch over them this night. She no longer felt responsible for Two Shadow's life. A sudden relief filled her.
They rose before the sun. They traveled long and hard as the day before. "You really think the Sioux will follow us this high in the Beartooth? It's so far from their people."
"They will come. They must. It is their duty to avenge the deaths of their loved ones."
"Back to that. I don't think they'll come."
Two Shadows pulled Cloud to a sudden halt and quickly turned them around. He pointed below them. "See? That is a Sioux party. They are no more than one-half of the rising suns time to reach us.
"It can't be them. How could they be? It would have taken them time to search out the others."
"They might be sending out warriors every couple of days. They won't give up. This is Crow land, enemy to the Sioux and the Blackfeet, too. Still the Sioux will hunt us until we are dead, or they are."
Two Shadow's words caused Sarah to tremble. "For what purpose? Haven't enough of their warriors died already?"
He encouraged Cloud up the incline. "They have a need to avenge the deaths of their loved ones. It is not so hard to understand. Why do you think I go after the scar-faced skinner?"
She glanced at him over her shoulder, then wished she hadn't. Hatred blazed in his eyes. "We're a heavy load for Cloud. Maybe you should leave me here. I could hide from the Sioux until you come back." She turned again, taking in angry, thin lips.
"I would, white woman, but I fear the Great Spirit more than I do you."
"What do you mean by that?" she asked, straightening her spine. She gazed up at the sky, noting dark clouds were gathering with force. It suited her mood.
"I am not sure myself. I have a feeling you have gained favor with Napi. If I were to leave you for the savage Sioux, great dishonor and death would befall me."
"Don't be ridiculous." A roll of thunder echoed through the mountains. She jumped. Two Shadows pulled her against him and she didn't resist. She felt the color drain from her face. She'd always liked the rumble of thunder; it allowed her to be a part of the storm instead of just watching it. But nothing compared, nor prepared her for the loud boom that just echoed across the mountains.
They'd stopped and Two Shadows dismounted, then pulled her alongside him.
She glanced out at the rocky ledge that appeared no more than a foot wide in some places. Sarah looked down the cliff, her heart pounded within her chest. "I can't walk across that!"
"You can and you will, or you'll die," he said as a matter-of-fact.
The sky continued to darken. A wind had picked up, twirling dust and sand. "There must be another way," she said, feeling both alarm and anger surfacing.
"There isn't, Sarah. The goats climb up and down this ledge several times a day. It looks worse than it really is. You'll go first. I'll follow with Cloud."
"Cloud can't make it. He'll fall. Let him go free and I'll cross, I promise."
Silence loomed between them like a heavy mist.
"Sarah, we need Cloud on the other side. It may save our lives. If he doesn't make it, at least we tried."
She could tell by his hardened voice that he had no intention of changing his mind. "You can't mean it. He'll never make it. I won't let you kill Cloud!"
Two Shadows firmly grabbed Sarah's shoulders in his hands. He pulled her face close to his, searching her face. "Why, because that Sioux you care so much about gave him to you?"
She breathed deep and impatient. Whatever gave him that impression, she wondered. "I don't know what you're talking about. I care about Cloud because he's a beautiful animal. He doesn't belong to me. Set him free, please."
"Listen to me, Sarah. We are running out of time. A great storm is going to come crashing down around us any minute, and the Sioux aren't that far behind us anymore. We have one choice. We must go across now! Take a deep breath, gather up that stubborn white pride of yours, and show me what you're made of. Because if you don't, you'll die."
Jaws clenched, she pulled from his grasp. She didn't want to listen to any more talk about walking that ledge. She wanted to run away and hide. She looked longingly at the path behind them.
She watched him pull a blanket off Cloud, then slit a hole in the middle of it. Without explaining, he pulled the heavy material over her head. Taking the water bag, he tied the long straps from the vessel around her waist, holding the bulky blanket in place. He did the same for himself, securing the blanket with his travel bag. Two Shadows turned Cloud toward the trail and Sioux, then slapped his rear. She watched the beautiful horse run from sight.
She wanted to thank him, but instead placed her back against the rising rock wall, then took a step to the left. The increasing wind and its whirling force added to her fear. Several more steps brought her to a section that offered no more ground than the length of her shoe. Her body trembled and her back ached, tensing more with each step. Her mind said, left foot-step, right foot-slide.
Pebbles and dirt slid over the edge, snapping and banging on the way down. Thunder crashed around her, she jumped, gripping the rocky wall behind her. She found herself almost wishing for that silent world. She felt blood trickle between her scrapped, bruised fingers, she refused to think about it...left foot-step, right foot-slide; left foot-step, right foot-slide.
Two Shadows watched Sarah work her way across the ledge. Once she'd reached halfway, he started the treacherous trail. If the Sioux came upon them, he'd have fought them off, giving Sarah time to make it across. Every minute became important now. He adjusted his bow and quiver in front of his chest. Without protection they'd be vulnerable to man and beast.
He concentrated on each step, each move. Several cold drops of rain trickled down his face. A new fear gripped him like an eagle's talons. If it rained before they got across, they'd never make it. He glanced ahead and noticed Sarah had nearly made it. A sense of relief filled him. Now he had to get across to protect her. If he fell, well, he wouldn't think about it.
A streak of lightning flashed across the sky, sending a torrent of shocks through Sarah's body. She gripped the blade-like rocks behind her. She wanted to g
o on, but her feet refused to move. She struggled to control the spasmodic trembling within her. With each passing second, her back tightened, knotting in pain and fear. Like tears from heaven, water ran down her face. She choked back a cry.
"Sarah, don't stop now. Keep going. You're almost there," Two Shadows shouted. Within seconds he'd reached her side.
"My feet won't move." Lightning cracked and hissed above their heads. Sarah jumped, several small rocks slid over the edge. The wind slapped at her face, bringing with it more rain.
"Listen to me. We can make it. Cloud is holding off the Sioux so we can make it. Don't let him down!"
Sarah raised her face and looked at him. For just a second his eyes told her everything he felt. He did care. She didn't know why it meant so much to her. She looked down at her long braid, then stared at the white wing-bone. Strength empowered her senses. Left foot-step, right foot-slide...her heart beat against her breast as the world seemed to crash and whirl around her.
Two Shadows drew in a breath. He hadn't been able to hide what his heart felt. He didn't doubt she understood what his eyes said, what his lips couldn't speak. The rain increased. The wind tore at his bow, rattling the arrows. His heart hammered against his chest. Each step became a struggle. He pressed on, praying to Napi for strength for himself and protection for Sarah.
She gripped the jutted rock, then rounded the edge that finally brought her feet onto solid ground. She ran several feet from the edge, then turned to watch Two Shadows make the final step to safety. Relief overwhelmed her as she watched him.
In several strides he'd pivoted his arrows to his back, then stood in front of her. Without considering his actions, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his chest.
Tears of joy cascaded down her cheeks as torrents of rain lashed down upon them. "I didn't think we'd make it," she sobbed.
"What?" He leaned his face closer to hers to hear her words. Thunder growled and lightning flashed. He felt her tremble against him.
"I didn't think we'd make it," she repeated. "Thank you for freeing Cloud." Looking past Two Shadows, she tensed, not believing what she saw.
Two Shadows read her expression and turned toward the narrow ledge they'd just crossed. Four warriors were inching their way across the goat path, despite the wind and rain that relentlessly lashed at them.
Stricken with amazement, Sarah and Two Shadows watched. A deep grumbling, somewhat like the sound of an empty stomach, echoed back to them. Then, as fast as the lightning, and as loud as the thunder, the entire side of the mountain began a downward slide. The earth shook beneath their feet. They watched the Sioux grab and clutch at the crumbling mountainside, then fall to a terrifying rocky grave.
Shuddering, Sarah buried her face against Two Shadow's chest. Only minutes ago she and Two Shadows were out on that ledge. They could be...she refused to think about it.
"Look, Sarah, across the pass. Someone has come back to tell you goodbye."
Raising her head and straining her eyes to see through the blinding rain, she saw Cloud. He rose up on his hind legs twice, shook his head, then turned and raced out of sight. Her tears blended with the rain.
"We have to find a cave or overhang to wait out this storm," Two Shadows said into her ear. He grabbed her small hand in his, then led the way. The terrain grew slippery beneath their feet. The rugged mountains offered no relief to their steady dangerous climb. They were soaked, and cold.
"Do something with those hanging skirts. We have to climb up there," he said, pointing to a dark hole in the rock wall.
She looked up and doubt filled her. She reached down and pulled the soggy mass of skirts up between her legs, as she had done many times in the past, then tied the material securely around the leather straps of the water bag.
The climb took great physical effort. They reached the entrance of the cave exhausted. Dropping to their knees, they both took a moment to catch their breath.
"Wait here while I check it out. I don't care to dance with another bear so soon."
She couldn't help chuckle over his comment. She watched him enter the black hole. Fear embraced her as he disappeared from sight. Minutes dragged like hours. Her mind ran wild with possible terrible fates. She couldn't tell if her body shook more from fear or the cold. Finally, he emerged from the cave.
"It's perfect, Sarah. Looks like some trappers have been using this cave as a regular boarding room. Come on, let's get out of this cold rain."
Sarah followed Two Shadows; a low-growling thunder echoed around them, making the earth shake. The world seemed to be speaking a rage of its own.
"You made a fire already?"
"I stumbled over it. I needed light to check the place out. You can imagine my surprise to find flint by the rocks and dry wood ready to start.
Uneasy, she looked around. "What if those trappers come back?"
"It doesn't look like they've been back for some time. I don't think we have to worry. Come closer to the fire. You're shivering."
Sarah's teeth clicked together as she fought the shivers that racked her cold, soaking wet body.
"We need to get out of these clothes and get dry or we're both going to be sick. I'll look around for blankets or anything they might have left."
Sarah edged closer to the flames, watching Two Shadows move toward the back of the cave. He returned holding a blanket out in each hand.
"Napi has smiled on us. I found these and a large buffalo skin to sleep on. They are old and dusty, but I am most glad to find them. He dropped the blankets on the ground near Sarah's feet, then returned to the recesses of the cave.
She remained silent and watched him return within seconds, dragging a large black, hairy skin close to the fire. He dropped it, then reached down for a blanket.
"We can turn our backs to each other and get out of our wet clothes. Just tell me when you're done."
She realized he'd moved a short distance from her, stopped, and turned his back. True to his word, he pulled the wet blanket over his head and dropped it to the hard-packed ground. She turned her back to him, glancing over her shoulder to make sure he hadn't changed his mind.
His gentle, easy manner soothed her. She struggled to untie the leather strings of the water bag. She gasped at how bloody, cut, and swollen her fingers were. Every attempt at making them work turned into a clumsy, useless effort.
"Woman, what is taking you so long? I'm anxious to feel the warmth of that fire," Two Shadows asked, a trace of laughter in his voice.
She tried to control the cold tremors that shook her body. She dropped her hands into her lap. "My fingers won't work and I can't stop shaking. Everything is sticking to me...and...I can't get this thing untied..." she hated the tears of frustration that filled her eyes.
Two Shadows moved in front of her, dropped to his knees, then gently pulled her hands into his. She remained still and silent. He caught the edge of her wet blanket and wiped the blood from first one hand, then the other. She bit her lower lip, struggling against the stinging pain his efforts caused. He brought the injured flesh to his lips and softly kissed them. His gesture took her by surprise, but the comfort it brought surprised her even more.
She held still as Two Shadows worked the knot at her waist, freeing the water bag. She said nothing when he pulled the wet blanket from her shoulders and over her head. She wanted to help, but shivered instead. As he worked the small buttons on her dress, Sarah felt a rush of heat spread across her cheeks. While he pushed the wet, clinging, material down to her waist, Sarah clutched her arms across her naked breasts, sheltering them from his gaze.
Quickly, he brought the dry blanket around her shoulders and she mumbled, "thank you." She didn't miss that he never allowed his gaze leave her face.
She clutched the blanket tight while he tugged downward on the wet dress. To her dismay it didn't move, bonding to her body like bark on a tree. She closed her eyes, concentrating on his fingers moving across her hips, thighs, legs, pulling the material as he
skimmed the sides of her body. Finally the soggy material dropped to the ground.
She opened her eyes and found him staring back at her. She said nothing. His silence answered.
Exhausted, her nerves frayed, her every limb heavy, she allowed Two Shadows to take over. He pulled her against him. She allowed his strength to hold her up. She felt him guide her down on the buffalo robe. She closed her eyes, grateful for the warmth of the fire.
His body shivered and cried for warmth, too. Two Shadows added several sticks to the blazing fire. It had been a hard day. He inched the blanket free from under Sarah, then spread his own out on top of hers. He took a deep breath, then stretched out on the buffalo robe behind her. He pulled his knees into the curve of hers, feeling her cool buttock nestled against his thighs. He inched his chest against her back, then slid his arm protectively around her waist. He hoped her chilled body would warm between him and the fire.
He had to admit—again, she fit perfectly in his arms. His heart needed this woman. His body craved for her. Two Shadows closed his eyes, forcing himself to keep control over his desires.
Nestled against Sarah's shivering body, he slept for hours. Upon wakening, he felt her even breathing against him. She no longer shivered. He reached over and placed several sticks of wood to the few red embers that remained.
Rain pelted outside the cave walls. He watched as lightning lit up the night for a brief second. Thunder rumbled and shook the ground.
But outside the cave wasn't the only storm that brewed. Two Shadow's body couldn't ignore the warm, soft skin that pressed against him. Hot blood flashed like lightening through his veins. His heart beat loud like the thunder. How could she not be awakened by it?
The soft moan that escaped her lips didn't escape his ears. In her sleep she turned onto her back, then again pressed into the warmth he offered. Her feminine curves molded to the contours of his body. He felt her warm breath brush his cheek...his heart raced.
Chapter Eleven
Daringly, he traced the darkened area of her full, firm breast with his fingertip. The nipple hardened. Two Shadows sucked in a breath, afraid to touch more.
