by Stephy Smith
All her energy was spent on reaching Rising Wolf. A swift current carried her further downstream. She prayed for a chance to gain the upper hand against the bear. The roar of the river drowned out all sound as she ran to the beast in the water. Rising Wolf’s body bounced off the water before he disappeared. Her mind focused on saving her husband.
She gripped the tomahawk, her hands positioned above her head. Her war cry rattled through the treetop as she went in for the attack. One solid leap landed her near the back of the bear. With all her might she brought the tomahawk down until it stuck in the back of the bear’s head.
The beast whirled around. Falcon Woman backed away to put distance between the bear and Rising Wolf She tripped over a log and landed on her back. One more bold stroke of vengeance—her hand was quick to grab the hunting knife in her knee-high moccasin. The bear bore down on her. She leapt to her feet, and in a fatal charge she plunged the knife into its heart. The bear wavered, and she continued with another assault. Stab after stab the red glare of her anger flared. When he made his final dive, she moved to the side as the bear fell lifeless at her feet.
Another scream escaped her lips. She ran to the river where Rising Wolf’s body had sunk in the water, his face the only visible sign of his whereabouts. She pulled him to the shore. Other warriors heard her cries and rushed to her aid. With their help, they placed him in front of one of the warriors on a horse. At breakneck speed they carried him off to the village. Falcon Woman jumped up behind another man, and they made their way across the mountain toward the camp.
Her sorrowful lament begged the Creator to take her and leave Rising Wolf for his people. She recited her prayers to the Great Spirit and to God for help. Along beside her a short distance, a deer had led the way to the shaman. Her heart and tears burst in unforgettable pain. A warrior broke from the group and headed down the mountain to the cabin where her parents lived.
In the village, an entourage met them and transported his body to the shaman’s lodge. Falcon Woman stripped Rising Wolf of his clothes, grabbed a bottle of turpentine, and poured it on his bloody body. With prayers running rampant in her mind, she took out a needle and sinew thread, taking stitches to close the gaps in his chest. She wiped at the tears as she sewed feverishly, his shallow breaths slowed, his life-sustaining blood streaked across her cheeks.
“You can’t take him. Take me instead; save Rising Wolf. The tribe needs him to guide them down the righteous path. I am nothing but a mere vessel for you to work through. Please take me instead.” Her words drowned out any noise she may have otherwise heard. Rising Wolf’s life was at stake, and she didn’t care if the world outside was coming to an end or not, for her own was fading into obscurity, and there was no way of stopping what was to come.
She didn’t know how long she sewed on Rising Wolf or when her mother and grandmother appeared. The aroma of sage wafted from the fire, her grandmother chanted, and her mother sat beside her with needle and thread sewing the gashes and dousing them with more turpentine. When the shaman arrived, Rising Wolf was turned on his stomach. Four long angry gashes ran from his right shoulder down to his left hip. The shaman set his supplies around and prepared to take over.
Falcon Woman gasped. She had never seen cuts so long, so deep as the ones on Rising Wolf. With a shake of her head she set to work. Emma’s hands danced with fury, tugging to close the gaps and stitch them together. The shaman chanted along with Woman With Small Voice, other voices from outside mumbled through the thick-skinned walls.
The shaman sent mother and daughter from the enclosure. Kale waited outside. Falcon Woman flung herself in his arms. Sobs raced through her body, her wails deafened the camp.
“Pa, don’t let him die. Please don’t let him die.” Her voice cracked, and his arms encased her, pulling her to his chest. Her father kept quiet; his arms pressed her to his body, and his chin rested on the top of her head.
Little comfort reached her. The vision of the bear flinging Rising Wolf around failed to leave her mind. His blood flew through the air, and his flesh ripped and gaped. She shook her head to no avail.
“He can’t die Pa; he just can’t.” Her knees faltered, she wondered if the pounding in her chest would split it open. The helplessness sunk deep into the pit of her stomach. If only he had been closer to their side of the river, she could have got there sooner. Maybe she should have followed him to the other side. No matter now, the damage had already been done, and she was to blame. He had her to provide for, or he wouldn’t have been in the river.
Reaching up with a shaky hand, she tried to brush the tears away. With each attempt, more fell down her raw cheeks. She clung to her father, willing the incident to be magically undone.
Emma approached and hugged the pair. Falcon Woman knew there was nothing they could do except be there in case she needed them. To unleash her pain, anger, and confusion on, if need be. She sent a silent prayer of thanks; not only for her family, but also for the time she spent with her husband. Her natural defenses numbed her mind. Her eyes fell on Rising Wolf’s family sitting gravely still. Misery etched on their stone-like faces. She cringed but knew she needed to talk to them, ask them for forgiveness. They had entrusted their son to her care when she married Rising Wolf, and now she had failed them miserably. It would take a lifetime to pay back the damages she caused. A debt she wasn’t sure she could pay.
Rising Wolf’s family crouched on the ground on the other side of the shaman’s door. Falcon Woman pulled from her father and on shaky legs put one foot in front of the other until she stood in front of them. There was little comfort she could offer; no words to erase the pain in their hearts. Nothing could erase what happened to Rising Wolf. In his present state, there was little hope of recovery. She had to push those thoughts away, but she had seen injuries that were not as bad as his, and she harbored the memories of those who died from them. Another wave of terror crushed her lungs.
The family gazed at her, then reached over and pulled her into their little group. “I am so sorry. I tried to get to him before…the bear was too swift and powerful. I screamed for it to stop, but it wouldn’t listen to me. I should’ve been beside him. Instead, I was on our side of the river; I couldn’t get to him fast enough. It’s my fault he’s in this terrible mess.”
Chants, wails, and prayers from the people of the village rose to a higher level outside the dwelling. Falcon Woman strained to hear the chant within the lodge. Woman With Small Voice was named appropriately; her soft voice brought calm when she was around. Now her chants were all but lost to Falcon Woman. She prayed the chant hadn’t stopped inside the medicine man’s home. If it did, it could only mean one thing, and she refused to entertain the thought of living without Rising Wolf.
Falcon Woman stood and headed toward the lodge door. Emma grabbed her, and tears thickened in her mother’s eyes as her hand fell from Falcon Woman’s arm. With a small nod, Falcon Woman entered the lodge.
Rising Wolf was stretched out on the mat; his chest rose and fell. A sigh slipped over her lips as she squatted next to him. The sobs and wails choked back inside, she whispered, “Don’t give in, Rising Wolf. You can make it. Don’t give up.”
A flutter tickled her belly, and she knew it wasn’t from the worry. Tonight she was to surprise Rising Wolf with the announcement of the baby. Her mind warred; should she tell him now? It might be the news to keep him from a journey to the Great Spirit. If she told him, and he chose to stay, would the Great Spirit be angry with her and the child? She lay on the mat beside him and closed her eyes to pray. When she woke, the shaman’s eyes were cast upon her, and he tilted his head to Rising Wolf.
Sometime during sleep, Rising Wolf had clutched his hand on her arm. She tried to move, and his grip tightened.
“I’m here, Rising Wolf. I’m right here,” she whispered close to his ear. The smell of turpentine mixed with the blood and sage. Her stomach did a tumble, and she fought to keep down the last meal she had eaten.
The gentle
squeeze on her arm sent a thrill to her heart. It was a good sign but not strong enough to guarantee his life. “You need to rest and save your energy to get well. I’m on my way to talk to your family. I’ll be back later. I love you.”
She slipped from the lodge and met his family. “He squeezed my arm. I am not sure if…”
Mountain Top, her father-in-law, rested his hand on her arm. Storm Rider, Rising Wolf’s mother, nodded that she understood. His brothers, Tall Grass and Prairie Sun stood back with heads bent low. She pivoted and walked toward her cabin by the river.
Kale and Emma sat in front. “He squeezed my arm. It doesn’t mean he is going to live. At least it gives a small amount of hope.” She slouched to her knees and gazed at the river.
The blood had floated away. Water sang peacefully across the stones of the riverbed. Birds and trees rustled in the song of harmony Mother Nature blessed them with every day. Exhaustion embraced her; she stumbled to the cabin and slid into the bed with her eyes closed.
Chapter Six
Rising Wolf thrashed around on the mat. Woman With Small Voice opened her eyes, cast some more sage in the fire and started her low chants again. The thing Rising Wolf remembered most was the calming effect she had on him. He glanced around the lodge for Falcon Woman. His eyes hungered for the vision of her. An ache in his arms wasn’t from the fight; it came from the need to wrap them around her.
She sat in the corner with a few pelts, sewing on something he couldn’t make out. “Falcon Woman.” His voice was raspy. His heart picked up a beat as he reached for her.
A few steps and she stooped at his side. The sad smile on her face told more than he cared to face. Her brow furrowed across her forehead. Her eyes filled with tears, and her hands shook. Guilt of her torment followed his eyes as he scanned her golden face.
“Do you remember what happened?” She lowered her lids. He ran his hand over his face.
“The way I feel—I’m hoping it was a bear and not my wife who did this to me.” Her eyes narrowed, and he clamped his mouth; she was in no mood for humor. “I am sure I was fishing, and a bear attacked me. I hit my head on a rock. After the second swipe of the bear claws, I don’t remember anything.”
“Grandmother is making you some of her herbal tea. The pain will go away for a while once you drink it. The tea will help you sleep.”
“I don’t want to sleep. How long have I been here?”
“Three days. You were hurt badly, Rising Wolf.” Her eyes filled with tears.
“I still hurt badly. I am a warrior. I should be up to take care of you.” The tightness in his chest and weakness of his arms made him wince.
“No, my husband, I think you should take it easy and heal. The more you fight, the longer it will take.” His heart lightened at the turned-up lips and strange twinkle in her eye. Something about her was different, the glow of her skin flickered in the dim light of the fire.
“Why am I not in our bed in our house?”
“We—your brothers and some of the other warriors brought you here to the shaman. Everything happened so fast the day of the attack. I guess we didn’t think about the cabin at the time.” Her lids lowered to her cheeks.
“Are you all right, Falcon Woman?” He reached for her hand.
“I’m fine. I’ll be better when you’re up walking again. Right now, you should rest to help your body heal.” She bent and kissed him on the forehead.
Something was eating at Falcon Woman. All of her movements seemed tense. He glared when she exited the lodge, and Woman With Small Voice knelt beside him.
“How is Falcon Woman? She tells me she is fine. I know it is not the truth.” He took the cup of tea.
“She is fine. Just tired and worried. Tired of being worried.” The old woman’s eyes sparkled with amusement.
“How much of the attack did she see?”
“All of it. She swam the river and killed the bear with your tomahawk and her hunting knife.”
His heart all but stopped. “The baby?”
“She told you about the baby?” Her voice almost a whisper when she leaned close to his face.
“No. I follow the signs. I don’t know if she knows there is a baby. Did she tell you about a baby?” His brow furrowed.
“No. She did not say a word. I know she is worried about you and the baby both. She has not said so; I know my granddaughter.” The old woman straightened her back.
“She needs to rest. I don’t like the dark circles under her eyes. Take her some of your tea. I will be fine here by myself.” The woman nodded and grabbed her medicine bag to exit the door.
Questions ravaged his mind. Why hadn’t she told him of the baby if she knew it was there? If he could see it, why couldn’t she?
She killed the bear with a tomahawk and a knife to save his life. Pride puffed in his chest. A brave woman put herself in harm’s way to kill the bear to save him. She could have been killed and the baby, too.
Turmoil hit his mind with a force he didn’t know how to deal with. Should he be proud of his wife or mad at her? The pain in his chest stopped him from going to her. There was one way to straighten his head, and that was to talk things out with her.
No one was supposed to know about the baby. She hadn’t told him yet. He wondered how long Falcon Woman had known. How could he approach the subject without her being suspicious? Why hadn’t she told her grandmother of the baby? Falcon Woman told her grandmother of all her troubles. This was not like her to keep secrets. She probably wanted to return to the cabin with her parents to be closer to the white people in the fort.
He searched his own mind for the answers and waited for the herbal tea to take effect. The pain eased, and his eyelids grew heavy. With force, he kept his brain awake for a while longer. A deep-seated need to know flickered on and off in his mind. Tomorrow he would confront his wife and find out what was going on with her.
Chapter Seven
The sun radiated through the window of the cabin. Falcon Woman reached over and felt the empty bed beside her. The tea Woman With Small Voice brought her had sent her into a deep sleep she needed. Renewed and full of energy, she strolled the short distance to visit Rising Wolf.
In her mind, she prepared herself for the heart-wrenching sight of seeing him beaten and battered. His inability to move was foreign and twisted the knife in her heart another turn. Waking up without him was the hardest thing she faced since the day they married.
The warriors had skinned the bear and made two necklaces from the claws. Bearskin and necklaces were presented to Falcon Woman for her bravery and the love she held for their leader. She didn’t like to be idolized. They made her out to be a hero and shouldn’t have; for any one of them would’ve done the same had they been there.
The horrid scene flashed in her mind, yet she didn’t wake up in the middle of the night with tears streaming down her cheeks from reliving the nightmare. First stop was to see her husband. She missed his arms, smell, and company.
If Rising Wolf were better today, she would tell him of the baby. A flutter floated in her belly. She entered the lodge.
“Good morning, Rising Wolf. How are you today? You look better.” His eyes held indifference.
“I am good. Sit and talk with me.”
Something was on his mind. Whatever it was had to do with her, and she didn’t like the look on his face. She braced herself.
“Have I done something to displease you?” Thunderous tremors coursed down her spine.
“No. You always please me.” He glared at her. She didn’t know how to handle this situation. A shudder raked over her body, and a lump formed in her throat.
“I have a little news for you.” She paused with her eyes on his stoic face.
He pushed himself up on his elbow and winced. Pain etched its way across his face as he struggled to remain in the position. She pushed a few strands of black hair from his face.
“Tell me the news, Falcon Woman.”
“I’m going to have a baby.�
� Her voice quivered, but her heart raced when his eyes lit with desire.
“I have known for a few days. I figured it out the morning the bear attacked me. That was why I wanted to catch a fish, to celebrate. I didn’t know if you knew yet.” He lowered his eyes.
The need to push that day from her mind weighed heavy. It was still too fresh; his limp body flashed in her mind. She shook her head to clear her vision. Tears filled her eyes. She tried to concentrate on the baby.
“Are you not happy to carry my child?” His words bit into her soul.
“I am very proud to carry your child. I…” She turned her face to the side. Everything anyone one said or did seemed to start the flow of tears.
“Tell me, Falcon Woman. I see the trouble in your eyes, and I cannot help if you don’t tell me.” He pulled her hand to his heart.
The steady thumps beat against her palm. His warm skin, scarred and torn, pierced the vision in her mind to release the tears welled up in her eyes. He pulled her to him and held her.
After his soothing embrace calmed her, she straightened. “I was scared you would walk with the Great Spirit. I begged him to take me and let you live. If the trade had been made, the baby would have been gone too. I hope our baby will be all right.”
“Falcon Woman, you should not feel guilty. You should never trade your life for mine, and you should never kill a bear with your hands again. I could have lost you, and you are what drives me to be strong and brave.” His hands grazed her cheeks.
“You should stay on our side of the river.” She nudged him in the side, and then realized he was still tender from the stitches.
His eyes shot a penetrating glance to her core. “I’m sorry.” Tears streamed down her cheeks. Every time she thought she ran out of tears, more would surface and flow as swift as the river.
