Wind Talker

by Kim Murphy

  With a frown, Meg agreed. Whilst Elenor set about to gathering food supplies, Phoebe took a few moments to cleanse herself from the washbasin. No matter how hard she scrubbed she was unable to rid herself of the grime and stink of the gaol. Proper bathing must wait ’til later. As swiftly as she had arrived, she was leaving. She hugged Elenor, Bess, and Meg goodbye. Outside, the men gave each other parting handshakes. Lee had changed from his colonial attire to a woolen shirt, deer-hide breechclout, and leggings. He moved toward her. “We’re ready to go. Charging Bear is taking us to the Appamattuck. They’re the closest refuge.”

  After final farewells, they followed the trail to the riverbank. A dugout was hidden amongst the shrubs. The men shoved the dugout away from the bank, and once again, Phoebe rowed. Each stroke carried her further from her daughter. Lee sent her reassuring glances, but she spotted vexation in his eyes. He had been amongst his people long enough that he no longer felt the need to make idle chatter. When they were alone, she would relay the details of her ordeal. ’Til then, she remained silent and concentrated on the task at hand.

  At midday, they came ashore and shared the rations Elenor had provided for them. Sparing little time to rest, they rowed upriver again. After another mile, Charging Bear pointed across the river at a colonial shallop. In an attempt to avoid danger, they guided the dugout toward shore and hid amongst an overhanging branch. The boat sailed past, and they resumed their journey.

  By nightfall, Phoebe was exhausted—both mentally and physically. After eating some dried pork and cornbread, she fell asleep in a wasted heap. In the middle of the night she roused slightly, stretched, and snuggled into the arms that held her. The sound of Lee’s heartbeat next to her brought solace, and she nestled closer.

  Without saying a word he traced his fingertips across her lips, but his touch vanished as quickly as it had appeared. The tension in his muscles warned her that he was restraining his true feelings. Whether his reason was due to all that had happened or the fact that Charging Bear slept a few feet away, Phoebe was uncertain. In the twenty-first century she had learned a sense of privacy. Afore that time, she had almost ne’er been alone. As a child, she recalled the grunts and groans of her momma and adopted father coupling. From the beginning, she had been taught ’twas impolite to watch. Lee, on the other hand, had always known seclusion—’til the past few months. But right now she needed him. She trembled with fear and clung to him.

  He clenched her tighter.

  Overwhelmed by the passage of events, she sought his mouth and kissed him. No longer holding back, he reciprocated with a kiss full on her mouth. She reached a hand under his shirt and explored the length of his body. As she had guessed, he was ready for her.

  He lifted her skirt, parted her drawers, and caressed the spot betwixt her legs sending a wave of pleasure coursing through her body. In the darkness, his presence seemed like naught more than a figment of the dreaming again. Yet his warmth radiating against her, reminded her it was reality. After so much sorrow, their bodies pressed together. She spread her legs wider for him, and he penetrated her. Meanwhile, she rejoiced in his presence. He plunged inside her harder and faster, and she bit her lip to keep from crying out. With a shudder, she peaked. She could no longer hold back. She cried silent tears.

  Lee held her and whispered comforting words in a mixture of English and Algonquian in her ear. With his words, she realized how much he had blended the cultures—past, present, Paspahegh, and colonial. They were home, and together. Stronger united, they would overcome the shadows hanging over them.

  She brushed away her tears. Her body molded to his in the comfort of his arms and she finally slept. When she opened her eyes, the sun had risen and a robin trilled from a nearby tree. But Lee was gone. The skeleton that had been uncovered those many months ago entered her thoughts. Suddenly wide awake and frantic, she sat up, looking in every direction. “Lee!”

  “Relax, I’m here.”

  He bent down to her, and she touched his countenance to make certain he was real. “When I thought you were gone, I envisioned the skeleton.”

  He reassured her that he was fine. “We’re not anywhere near the area we found the skeleton, and we’ll be safely with the Appamattuck by nightfall.”

  His words brought relief, but the feeling had been incredibly strong. Lee distracted her by handing her some of Elenor’s cornbread. Charging Bear stood off to the side to avoid intruding, but her brother’s eyes reflected concern. She nibbled on the cornbread and stood. “I’m fine now.”

  Lee frowned. They still hadn’t found Heather. As if reading her thoughts, he said, “We’ll get her back.”

  “Aye,” Phoebe agreed. ’Til then, she would remain in sorrow.

  Charging Bear finally spoke up. “We should be making haste.”

  All in agreement, they made their way to the river bank. Once again, Phoebe paddled the dugout upriver. In shallow areas, they disembarked and tied lines to the boat, leading it through the water. As the day passed, Phoebe looked forward to the opportunity to finally rest. Afore they crossed the James River to the Appomattox River, a colonial shallop appeared on the opposite side.

  Charging Bear hugged the dugout near the bank. Instead of passing, the men in the shallop rowed toward them.

  “It might be best if we observe from a greater distance,” Lee suggested.

  Charging Bear agreed. They brought the dugout onto the bank and watched the boat. The shallop continued in their direction.

  “They’ve seen us,” Lee said. “I count five.”

  Charging Bear gathered his bow and arrows from the dugout. “Follow me.”

  Lee grasped Phoebe’s elbow and led her further from the bank. ’Twasn’t long afore men’s voices trailed after them. If it hadn’t been for Lee’s grip, she would have bolted. They quickened their pace through the tangled woods. The voices faded. The colonists likely continued on their trail, but Phoebe breathed a momentary sigh of relief. After a couple of miles, she grew footsore and weary. Her brother pressed on and only halted after another mile had passed. “You watch over Walks Through Mist,” Charging Bear said to Lee, “and I’ll double back.”

  “Be careful,” Lee said.

  With a nod, Charging Bear retraced his steps in the direction they had come. Dizzy from the rapid hike, Phoebe sat neath an oak tree. Lee moved in aside her and held her hand. “This isn’t exactly the reunion I had envisioned,” he said.

  “Aye. I had hoped—”

  “I know. It will all work out.”

  Now that she could see him in the light of day, Phoebe studied his countenance. The day afore had passed in a blur, and she couldn’t let their moment alone vanish without treasuring it. In the months of their separation, his black hair had grown to nearly shoulder length, and his dark brown eyes held a sadness. She reached out and stroked the side of his face. “For better or worse, we are home, Wind Talker.”

  “Indeed, we are. How are you holding up? I have a hard enough time keeping up with Charging Bear. I can’t imagine after what you’ve been through...”

  The need to talk overpowered her. She told him about her venture through the vortex. She spoke of the gaol, the body searches, the ducking, but she left out the harassment from the gaoler.

  Lee quickly picked up on the omission. “If I did anything to hurt you further...”

  “Nay, you would ne’er hurt me, and you can set your mind to rest. He did not ravish me.”

  “I had to refrain from beating him to a bloody pulp,” he admitted, breathing out in relief.

  Afore Phoebe could respond, Charging Bear returned at a full sprint. “They’re half a mile behind.”

  Lee got to his feet. “Damn.”

  Charging Bear led the way through the forest, guiding them along barely discernible trails, whilst Lee brought up the rear. Phoebe struggled to keep pace with her brother and stumbled over a tree root. Lee caught her in his arms, but Charging Bear barely broke stride. As the day wore on, the sun sank in the sky.
In spite of the fading daylight, Charging Bear pressed on. Barely able to see the path ahead of her, Phoebe gripped his shirt. ’Twas well into the night afore they stopped. Thankful for a chance to rest, she sank to the ground and drifted into a fitful sleep.

  A gentle shake on her shoulder woke her. “We need to be moving,” Lee said in a low voice.

  She rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Torches alighted the path in the distance. ’Twas like the time she had escaped gaol afore, only this time she wasn’t alone. She scrambled to her feet and held Lee’s hand as they pushed deeper into the forest. The advantage was theirs. Colonials did not know the woods like Charging Bear. Nor had they been taught to move swiftly and silently.

  After several more miles, the torches had fallen behind. Once again, they rested. With her back against a tree, Phoebe tucked her knees to her body. Exhausted, she drifted ’til she woke with a start to the baying of hounds.

  * * *

  31

  Wind Talker

  At the sound of the bloodhounds my skin crawled. How many times had I called out the dogs at a crime scene when a responding officer hadn’t done so himself? Now, right along with Phoebe, I was among the hunted—and could no longer rely on Charging Bear’s superior knowledge of the forest to get us home free. Keeping us safe required all of my experience. “Quick,” I said, “we need to move as fast as we can—downwind. Anything we do will only slow the dogs, but if we can tire or confuse the handlers, they might call off the dogs.”

  Following my instructions, Charging Bear remained in the lead. After half a mile a fallen tree blocked the trail. Instead of going around, we climbed over. Another mile passed, and we came to a stream. “Cross at an angle,” I said.

  Charging Bear did as I instructed. We slogged across the water and followed its course for another mile before crossing again. Over several miles, we crisscrossed the stream three more times. The hounds’ barks faded. Even so, we couldn’t let our guard down. We had only temporarily outdistanced them and continued on. Phoebe’s hands were clammy and cold. I rubbed them with my own to help her warm up, but her gait was getting slower and slower. “We’ve got to keep going, Phoebe.”

  “Aye, I’m doing my best.”

  “I know.” For a moment, I thought about facing the colonists myself. I had three shots left in my Glock. If I—foolish thinking. Exhaustion must have been hitting me too. By confronting the men who wanted to hang Phoebe, I would make it easier for them to succeed.

  “We will be entering Monacan hunting ground soon,” Charging Bear said.

  “Enemies on both sides—that could get interesting,” I responded.

  “We’re not near their towns. Unless we encounter them whilst hunting, we should be able to avoid them.”

  Thank goodness for small favors, but I also remembered how often we had come across travelers on my other journeys. Somehow since none of us spoke the language, I didn’t think sharing the latest gossip and available foodstuff, or passing a pipe would hold a determined Monacan warrior off, any more than the colonists who were doggedly tracking us. Still we continued on. “Have you traveled into Monacan territory before?” I asked.

  “Once or twice,” Charging Bear answered.

  So we really were on our own. Deeper and deeper into Monacan territory we traveled. Several crows cawed making a loud racket. The black birds dive-bombed a hawk that had intruded in their air space. The scene reminded me of the time I went across campus to speak to the forensic anthropologist, who had shown me the reconstructed skull that resembled me. How many months ago? This time, I understood the sign. The official boundaries were many years in the future, but I was beginning to comprehend the fluidity of time. We had crossed into the county where I had served as a cop.

  Not wanting to upset Phoebe further, I maintained silence. As it was, I supported more and more of her weight the farther we walked. “Charging Bear, Phoebe needs rest.” He agreed, and I helped her find a suitable place to sit on the ground.

  “I shall double back and see if our pursuers are nearby,” Charging Bear said.

  Once again, I warned him to be careful, and he assured me that he would. I sat next to Phoebe and held her. She rested her head on my shoulder and fell asleep. I truly had no idea how much longer I could remain awake without dozing myself. I longed for a strong dose of caffeine. All of the stakeouts, physical training, and overly long night hours—nothing could have prepared me for the past few days. I closed my eyes until a voice called out. Waking with a start, I drew my Glock and stood.

  “Relax, brother,” Charging Bear said. “ ’Tis me.”

  I breathed out in relief and holstered the gun. “What did you find out?”

  “They follow us but are a good distance behind. I believe they’ve halted their search for the day.”

  Only with his words did I realize most of the day had passed. The sun was low on the horizon. Phoebe joined me and hooked her arm through mine. “Then we should make use of what daylight we have left to put more distance between us,” I said.

  “Agreed. Afterward, we shall rest.”

  I looked at Phoebe, and she nodded that she was ready to continue. “I’ll carry you if necessary, but we will get you to safety.”

  She covered her mouth, hiding a yawn, and shoved her disheveled red hair away from her face. “I shall manage.”

  Her words bravely said one thing, but her struggle to keep up said another. The farther we traveled, the more she leaned on me. By nightfall, she could barely put one foot in front of the other. As on the previous night, Charging Bear and I exchanged watches while Phoebe slept. In the morning, thunderclouds greeted us. As much as I hated walking through a storm, the turn of weather was a blessing. Rain would slow the tracking dogs, and their handlers were more likely to make mistakes.

  Instead of seeking refuge, we struggled to remain on the trail as rain pelted us. The wind gusted, and in my mind I heard its voice saying, “This way.” But was it leading me to my death?

  The rain turned into a torrential downpour. No longer left with a choice, Charging Bear found us refuge in a hollow. We covered ourselves with branches and leaves to wait out the storm. In my arms, Phoebe trembled. I held her tighter and soon she slept in my arms again. “Charging Bear, if anything should happen, will you see that my family is taken care of?”

  “Aye. That is the way it’s done here.”

  At least that much was a comfort. “Thank you, brother.”

  After about an hour, the lashing rain changed to a drizzle. As we returned to the trail, I spotted a crow in a nearby tree. When the bird cawed, I realized it wasn’t a spirit but a real bird. We continued on, and a flock gathered, almost as if waving me on.

  By midday the sun had come out, and we rested in its growing warmth. Even though we had skimped, the last of Elenor’s rations were consumed. I gave Phoebe my last bite of cornbread when I heard a rustle of leaves. Charging Bear nodded that he had heard it too, and we reached for our weapons. From the trail where we had already traveled appeared two Native men. I blinked in disbelief and lowered my Glock. They weren’t Monacan warriors but Black Owl and Swift Deer. “How did you find us?” I asked, holstering my piece.

  “We followed the hounds,” Black Owl replied, “until the tassantassas could go no further.”

  Swift Deer laughed. “They became mired in the mud. We’ve come to take you home.”

  No words could have brought me greater pleasure. Even Phoebe had renewed energy, and in case the colonists decided to take up the chase again, we began the return journey along a different trail. About an hour later, Phoebe could barely walk and we rested.

  After another hour, she stood. “I’m ready to continue now.”

  The others got to their feet, and we returned to the trail.

  With each step, I knew in my heart that we got closer to where the skeleton had been found. Then, I heard the bloodhounds. They were hot on our trail. “We need to split up,” I said. “They’re after Phoebe. I’ll stay with her. We can me
et...” I was slow to think—exhaustion had hit me.

  “One of us must stay with you,” Charging Bear said. “You don’t know the land.”

  “I know it better than you may realize, but I agree—”

  Baying hounds in the distance cut off my words. Charging Bear made arrangements with Black Owl as to where we would meet at dusk. Without bothering to say farewells, we separated and set off again. Each step brought me closer to that deadly spot. The dogs would finally catch up with us there. “We need to change direction.”

  Without asking why, Charging Bear obliged. Shifting course became a tactic. We did so repeatedly, hoping that we might confuse the handlers and elude the dogs. Before long, I realized we were on the very path I had been avoiding. We went up a hill to a copse of trees. At the top, I envisioned the house where the landowners would uncover a skeleton, forcing them to call in the police. I tried to lead Phoebe away from the spot, but she stumbled and would have fallen if I hadn’t caught her. She attempted to take another step but crumpled in my arms. I could no longer evade my fate. The ground was easily defensible. I looked at Charging Bear. “Go on without us.”

  “We will stand our ground here—together,” he replied.

  “Nay,” Phoebe said, “I cannot have you do this because of me.”

  While Charging Bear notched his bow with an arrow, I took out my Glock. Before I went down, I would make my remaining rounds count. “Walks Through Mist, you knew from the beginning this is our way. Now seek shelter.”

  When tears filled her eyes, I nearly apologized for being harsh, but she scrambled on her hands and knees to the undergrowth behind a tree. My gaze met hers, and I knew that she understood. The barking dogs grew closer. Charging Bear and I sought cover for ourselves. Several crows gathered in the branches above us. Five colonists, following two bloodhounds on long lines, appeared on the ground below. The crows screamed and swooped over the men’s heads, dive-bombing them like they had the hawk. The commotion created a distraction.