He also anticipated listening to his warriors count coup. The two warriors who had killed the buffalo with such accuracy would regale all with their brave deeds over the roaring fire. Their arrows, dug from the bodies by the women, would be presented for all to see. It was all part of sending thanks to Wakan Tanka and Tatanka, the Spirit of the Buffalo, for guiding their hunters and allowing them to take the beasts necessary to their survival.
A soft voice intruded on his musing. Calling out his permission to enter, Hawk Eyes returned to his seat as Bright Blossom stepped hesitantly inside the chief’s tipi.
Bowing her head in respect, Bright Blossom turned and addressed Seeing Eyes. “Is Sarah not feeling well today? She was to come to my tipi early to help with the preparations for our feast tonight.”
Seeing Eyes raised her brow and looked over at her husband. “We have not seen Sarah this day, Bright Blossom. Perhaps she is still sleeping.”
Bright Blossom shook her head in confusion. “I went to her tipi, but there is no answer to my call. I had thought perhaps she was here.”
Hawk Eyes rose, his gut tightening, instinctively sensing something was wrong. He knew from experience that if Sarah had promised her help, she would have been there.
Nodding for his wife and Bright Blossom to follow, Hawk Eyes strode the short distance to his son’s tipi. He didn’t bother waiting for the women as he entered without calling out.
Seeing Eyes entered behind him and slowly looked around. Suddenly, her eyes grew round. Putting a hand to her head, Seeing Eyes fell to the ground, hands covering her eyes, as if to block out a fearful image.
Hawk Eyes stepped out of the tipi and barked orders for the village and surrounding areas to be searched. He turned, realizing Seeing Eyes must still be inside. Swiftly, he reentered and knelt beside his distraught wife. “Come, love, you must help us search.” He took hold of her hands, which had turned icy, and pulled them from her face. He sucked in his breath at the stark fear that stared back at him.
Clutching his strong brawny arm in a panicked grip, the older woman shook her head, her voice hoarse with fear. Tears streamed down her wrinkled cheeks. “She is gone. Evil has come for her.” Her head slumped forward as she moaned and started wailing. Hawk Eyes lifted his wife, cradled her close and carried her back to his tipi.
Riding into his village just minutes later, Golden Eagle was so eager to seek out Sarah that the unusual behavior of his people did not make any impression. It seemed forever since he had held her, made love to her. As neither he nor Red Fox had slept much last night, they’d woken the others long before daybreak, eager to return. Riding hard when the sun showed her face, they’d made excellent time.
Golden Eagle and Red Fox pulled up short, finally noting the unnatural hustle in the village. Sliding down, Golden Eagle ran to meet his father. The chief’s grave expression sent shivers of fear down his spine.
Motioning his son and Red Fox to enter the tipi, Hawk Eyes followed and wasted no time. Walking toward Golden Eagle, he laid shaking hands upon his sun-warmed shoulders and broke the terrible news.
“Sarah is gone, my son. She has not been seen since last night.”
A loud buzzing filled Golden Eagle’s ears, drowning out all sound. He shook his head, positive he’d not heard right. But one glance at this father’s drawn features left him reeling with shock at the news. He fell to his knees, shaking his head in disbelief. To his right, he saw his mother’s pale, tear-streaked face. “No! That can’t be!” he cried out.
Swallowing hard, he looked at his father. “Are you sure she hasn’t gone to the stream? What about Bright Blossom’s tipi? She must be here somewhere.” Golden Eagle’s stomach lurched at the negative shake of his father’s head to each desperately asked question.
Quickly, Hawk Eyes told his son of his mother’s haunting vision of an evil source that would surround and try to choke out the goodness that was Sarah.
“Her guardian,” Golden Eagle shouted. “He’s the one responsible for this. I must find her. I leave immediately.”
“No, my son. You will not go alone. But first, we must find signs of her and who took her.”
Fanning out from the entrance to the village, silent and grim-faced warriors searched the area for signs of a member of their tribe all had come to like and respect. They found the warrior who had been knocked unconscious, but he could not tell them anything.
So intent was their search, the warriors did not notice the approach of a large group of riders until they were nearly upon the village.
Hawk Eyes and Golden Eagle looked to each other in confusion as they stared at the approaching group of grim-faced warriors. Silently they went to meet their unexpected visitors. The search for Sarah came to a temporary halt.
Holding his hand in greeting, Chief Hawk Eyes greeted the stern-faced chief. “White Cloud, what brings you to the village of Hawk Eyes?”
Running Wolf edged his mount forward and replied for his father. “We come for Wild-Flower.”
Startled gasps were heard from curious onlookers. Stepping forward, Golden Eagle asked, “Why would Wild-Flower be here, Running Wolf? She has not been here since the last time Running Wolf and his warriors came to visit.”
“Not true, Golden Eagle. She hides here. We followed her trail to your village. She is here.” Running Wolf’s black eyes flashed.
Ignoring the angry young warrior in front of him, Golden Eagle addressed Running Wolf’s father. “Chief White Cloud. I have only returned a short while ago from a hunt. I have not seen nor heard from Wild-Flower.”
Unable to remain silent any longer, Red Fox stepped forward. “Why would Wild-Flower be here?”
White Cloud held a hand high to still the questions being thrown at him. “My daughter and I had an argument. Her trail leads to this area. I can only hope that Wild-Flower has come to the village of Golden Eagle. I ask you to tell me if she is here. I ask you to keep this father from further worry over his daughter.” Stepping from his mount and stretching wearily, White Cloud strode to his friend, worry lines etched across his weathered old face. “I bid you, Hawk Eyes, friend to this old chief, have you news of my daughter?”
Reaching out to grasp the upper arms of his one-time adversary, Hawk Eyes truthfully replied, “No, my friend. My son speaks the truth. None here has seen Wild-Flower.” He led White Cloud to his tipi. “This is a sad day, my friend. We also search for one missing from our village. The white girl has just been discovered missing.”
Golden Eagle, entering behind the two chiefs, expressed a thought. “Perhaps Sarah and Wild-Flower are together.” He turned to Chief White Cloud. “The two formed a friendship on your daughter’s last visit to us.”
“Ah, the white captive. I have heard you have one living in your tipi. Perhaps that is the reason for my daughter’s unhappiness. Perhaps your white captive is why Wild-Rower felt she had to run away?” White Cloud directed a hard angry glare at Golden Eagle. “Tell me about this white girl and her place in your tipi. My son tells me she is very beautiful.”
Unable to meet Chief White Cloud’s penetrating and accusing gaze, Golden Eagle stuck his head out of the tipi and motioned for the other warriors to keep searching.
Hawk Eyes took over. “Sit, Chief White Cloud.” He indicated the seat of honor. “We have important matters to discuss.”
Sitting as well, Golden Eagle received his father’s nod and gave a brief summary of the events that led to finding Sarah and his reasons for bring her to his home. Golden Eagle touched lightly upon how they met earlier, and how he had felt responsible for the safety and well-being of the girl. He finished with praise about how well Sarah had adapted to their way of life and his wish to make Sarah his wife.
“So. The stories I have heard are true. And what of my daughter? She is to be put aside in favor of a white woman? What of our need to join the two tribes by marriage?” White Cloud’s nostrils flared angrily.
Meeting the angry chief’s proud gaze, Golden Eagle tried to e
xplain. “Chief White Cloud, Wild-Flower and I have talked. It is her wish also to marry another. The one she has given her heart to comes from this village. He is brave and worthy of your daughter. Could the two tribes not be joined in this manner?”
Looking down his arrogant nose. White Cloud directed his displeasure at Hawk Eyes. “It was agreed upon that the eldest son of Chief Hawk Eyes would join with the eldest daughter of Chief White Cloud to right the wrongs of my father. If your son chooses a white woman over Wild-Flower, he will have made the same choice as my father when he chose a French captive over your mother,” White Cloud reminded the other chief. “Your people killed my father and mother for making such a choice. Wild-Flower’s honor would be destroyed. She would be shamed before all.”
Golden Eagle’s hopes sank. He tried to concentrate on his father’s reply, but noise from outside the tipi grew louder, causing those inside the tipi to raise their voices to be heard. The men in the tipi fell into an uneasy silence as each thought of his words before speaking them. The childish voices arguing outside grew loud enough to divert the men from their thoughts as they all looked toward the entrance.
“It’s mine!”
“No, it’s not!”
“I found it, it’s mine.”
“It was lost, so it doesn’t belong to you. I can prove it.”
“No, you can’t.”
“Yes, I…”
Jumping to his feet, Chief Hawk Eyes strode angrily to the flap and bellowed,
“Enough!” All inside saw two youngsters spring apart as they stared into the angry face of their chief.
Making no effort to hide his displeasure, Hawk Eyes ordered the two quibbling girls into the tipi with only the flick of one finger. Together, heads hung with shame upon noticing the important visitors, the girls entered. Their feet dragged as if walking toward their mortal demise.
Golden Eagle watched one of the girls sneak a peek at Hawk Eyes and sigh. Hawk Eyes was very, very angry and Winona knew she was in trouble.
“I will know the cause of your shameful behavior and then you will apologize to our guests,” Hawk Eyes demanded. He held one palm high. When two voices started speaking loudly at once, he silenced them. “Now, daughter of Weeko, you will tell me what this is about.”
Staring at her toes, Spotted Deer asked, “If I find something, it belongs to me, does it not?”
Winona opened her mouth to protest, but Hawk Eyes sent her a warning glance. “That depends on what you find, my child. Does it belong to another?” All watched the child’s face redden with guilt. “If it belongs to another, it must be returned,” Hawk Eyes gently commanded. “Now.”
Golden Eagle stifled the urge to pace. He had no time to sit here and watch his father solve his sister’s problems. He was sure, with all the fuss, that Spotted Deer had something that belonged to Winona.
Winona’s triumphant “I told you so” look did not escape him, and he hid his frustration as his father glared at Winona long and hard. “Remember, daughter, greed is unworthy of the daughter of Hawk Eyes.” As with most parents, formal reprimands were rare. But there were times when his young sister pushed the limits.
“But Father,” Winona interrupted bravely, “Spotted Deer found Sarah’s necklace. As Sarah is gone, I wanted Spotted Deer to give the necklace to me so I could return it when you find Sarah. After all, she is almost my sister,” Winona threw out for Spotted Deer’s benefit.
Springing to his feet, Golden Eagle approached the girls and hunkered down to their level, his heart racing as hope stirred within him. “This necklace you found, Spotted Deer, give it to me.” He held out a trembling hand, and the smooth coolness of the heart-shaped locket and the warmth of the carved eagle was placed on his open palm.
Holding it high for all to see, Golden Eagle closed his eyes in pain. Turning back to the girls, he laid a gentle hand on each shoulder. “It’s all right. No one is angry. I will return this to White Wind. She will be pleased with both of you for finding this for her. Now we must have your help. Where did you find this? Take me there.”
Winona grabbed Spotted Deer’s arm and ran out of the tipi, toward the area where they’d found Sarah’s necklace.
Golden Eagle clutched the leather thong to his heart and ran out after them. The others followed close on his heels, all but one.
Chapter Thirty-Three
White Cloud remained frozen, eyes glazed, unable to move. He sat, unaware of the departure of the others, unaware of the watchful concerned gaze of Seeing Eyes, who sat staring at his shield as if in a trance.
White Cloud’s mind had gone numb with shock. For the second time in less than a week, his past had risen to haunt him. He sat and stared as the glitter of yellow-gold danced in front of his glazed eyes, lurching his mind backward to that other time, that other place, and to the one who had worn that same adornment around her neck.
His pulse quickened, his heart hammered against his rib cage and sweat beaded his head. White Cloud shut his eyes against painful remembrances that flooded his mind and squeezed his heart painfully.
Suddenly, he jumped to his feet and whirled around the tipi. Golden Eagle. Where did he go? He had to find him. He needed to see that golden object up close. Surely, his mind had been playing tricks on him. This was all his daughter’s fault, for she’d been responsible for awakening the demons of his past. His shield fell unheeded to the ground as he stumbled into the bright glare of the sunlight.
Rushing through the deserted village, White Cloud followed the sounds of raised voices. He pushed his way through the crowd watching several warriors who crouched and exclaimed over the discovered white man’s tracks, near the side of the canyon. There, Golden Eagle studied the signs of struggle on the carpet of leaves, rocks and loose dirt.
Pushing through the gathering, White Cloud pulled Golden Eagle to him. “Must see necklace,” White Cloud rasped, his voice hoarse with suppressed emotion and barely audible. “The white girl’s necklace. Give it to me.”
“Chief White Cloud…” Golden Eagle turned as one of the warriors called to him, pointing something out to him.
“Please, son. It’s important.”
With a puzzled look and impatient sigh, Golden Eagle handed over the locket that had been clenched tightly in his fist.
Taking it from the young warrior, White Cloud held the piece of jewelry tenderly, head bent as he intently examined and fingered the time-worn smooth surface. With hands that shook, he fumbled with the catch that would release to reveal two time-faded miniatures he knew he would find hidden within.
Gasping for breath, White cloud stumbled to the nearest fallen log and lowered himself, the locket clutched tightly in his fist. Ignoring the concerned stares of those gathered round, White Cloud had eyes only for Golden Eagle.
“This white captive of yours. My son says she has hair the color of the sun and eyes of the sky. Is this so? Is she old or young? Describe her to me.”
Golden Eagle gestured impatiently. “Chief White Cloud, the one you ask about has been taken by an evil white man. There is no time for talk. Already we have wasted much time. We must go after her before she is harmed. Already the white man has a good lead on us,” Golden Eagle stated unnecessarily, turning away.
White Cloud called out and begged indulgence and understanding. “Please, my son, I must know the answer to these questions. They are very important. Her looks…”
Turning toward Hawk Eyes, Golden Eagle received his father’s silent command to do as told. With suppressed frustration he gave a brief description of Sarah.
At Chief White Cloud’s insistence, desiring to be done with the matter in the quickest way possible, Golden Eagle told all he knew of Sarah, including her parentage and where she lived.
“The name of her Indian father, my son. What is the name of her Indian father? Do you know?”
All stared in surprise at the abrupt change that overcame Chief White Cloud. His voice rang out firm and strong, black eyes shone bright beneath shaggy
brows, and he stood proud, hand resting on the hilt of his knife, ready to do battle.
Hawk Eyes frowned and stepped forward to intervene. “We do not know the name of her father, my friend. All we have are a few items made by him and given to her mother,” Hawk Eyes announced, turning as his wife came up behind him.
“Before I left my tribe to join with Hawk Eyes, all young maidens knew of your great skills,” Seeing Eyes said to White Cloud. “You were called Swift Foot then.” Stepping into the circle of confused men, she smiled at an astonished Chief White Cloud.
“I never knew what became of this mighty warrior. It was said his name changed after he’d risked his life to save a small child.” Seeing Eyes gave him a questioning glance.
White Cloud nodded and stared at the items he’d made so long ago, now clutched in her fingers, and painfully related how he’d rescued his firstborn son, Running Wolf, from a rain-swollen river by lashing himself and the child to the limb of a grandfather tree. There they’d hung under clouds so low they’d hidden the branches. Later, when they both were found, his name had become White Cloud.
Seeing confusion on the faces before him, White Cloud told the assembled group how, before he’d joined with Small Bird, the young warrior Swift Foot had sought many vision quests to help guide him in his future responsibilities as chief. In each vision he’d heard a cry, but never knew what or who made the cry. Sharing his concerns with the shaman, he’d been advised to leave his tribe to search for the meaning of these cries. He would marry upon his return.
He recounted how he’d left during the spring to become one with his surroundings, learning and listening to the spirits as they led him where they pleased, waiting for them to reveal the significance of the cry.
White Wind Page 27
