The Cry of the Wolf Chapter 15

Falcon was not a naturally cruel man. In fact, the Wyandotte Nation was one of the most civilized of the Eastern Tribes. He never would have gone on the raid if his wife had not been stolen in the unprovoked Iroquois attack. Nor yet would he have ever taken a captive if he did not need to replace what he had lost.

Had Maggie looked past his stoic exterior and met his eyes, she would have seen gentleness in their charcoal depth. Love was not something he intended to force. The truth was, he didn't expect to ever love anyone as much as he had Sweet Song.

Falcon looked away, hiding even a trace of emotion at her memory. They had only been married a month before...but had grown up together as children. He'd wanted to marry Sweet Song for as long as he could remember, seeking to impress her with his bravery since they were young. No, Maggie would never match up to Sweet Song, but his wife she was.

No one would challenge his claim to the young woman, most of the other braves having chosen Iroquois women as replacement brides. Chief Long Knife was the other exception, his watchful eye on Adelaide.

As for Adelaide, it didn't take more than a day for her children to instinctively recognize Chief Long Knife's authority, watching from the shadows how the adults interacted with each other. Chief Long Knife was clearly the leader, yet Small Bird's whisper was the only thing that would stop him in his tracts. They assumed she was his mother, Joshua empathizing with the stoic chief.

The women and braves treated the children with kindness, fussing over them. They were served first and given small treats, toys that were hand-carved, and for the girls, corn husk dolls.

Gnarled hands braided the girls' hair as the elderly women softly hummed a melody the children couldn't understand.

It was an unusual feeling to be doted on by the same people who had snatched them from all they had known, burning their homes.

Love overcoming fear.

****

The Iroquois children were the first to relax, joining the adults in activities that were somewhat familiar. Within the week, the children moved freely in the wigwams, the first to be trusted to step out into the sunlight. They wouldn't go far, unwilling to leave their mothers.

Joshua joined the other boys in their rough play, his quick mind learning a few new words. His attempt to speak the words he learned was met with smiles and playful giggles, the adults smiling their approval.

Chief Long Knife watched Joshua's attempts to accept his new life, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips when no one was looking. He set down the stick in his hand, motioning for Joshua to approach him. Pulling a small knife out of a pouch hanging from his waist, he showed Joshua in slow motion how to whittle the stick, small curls of wood falling at his feet.

Joshua tried imitating Chief Long Knife's movements, although he was far more klutzy in his first attempt.

"Aoo," Chief Long Knife nodded.

"Aoo," Joshua repeated, noting the sparkle in Chief Long Knife's eyes.

Pride.

Joshua's grin showed it was enough as he hunkered down beside the tribe's chief, wielding the small knife in his hand. He worked quickly, cutting off large chunks of wood.

Chief Long Knife held out his hand, guiding the boy's showing him again to work slowly, taking pride in his work.

"Aoo," Chief Long Knife repeated again.

Yes.

Small Bird stood unnoticed in the wigwam entrance watching her son and new grandson.

At that moment she saw only hope for the future.

****

Aquene helped Maggie don a beautiful, white buckskin dress, delicate beadwork adorning the bodice. Small Bird held out a similar dress to Adelaide instructing her to dress with a gesture.

The women looked at each other, noting the Iroquois women were also dressing in the white buckskin. Neither woman protested, allowing their hair to be smoothed until it shone before a bone comb was worked into their long hair.

The older women stood back, admiring their handiwork, their smiles brightening weather-worn features.

They spoke softly in a language that was both guttural and musical at the same time.

Aquene stepped out of the wigwam moments before the men followed her into the smoke-filled interior, the men dressed in white buckskin as well, faces decorated in red paint. Porcupine quills and feathers adorned their glossy black hair.

Maggie and Adelaide stood holding baskets containing cakes made from cornmeal with dried fruit, the women prodded forward, given baskets containing folded shirts and cloth.

Adelaide and Maggie exchanged a look before glancing over at the Native captives beneath lowered lashes.

In turn, the men spoke soft words the women didn't understand. The Natives, however, seemed to understand what was being said, repeating similar words.

Adelaide looked between Small Bird and the Native Women before glancing up at Chief Long Knife. She could be mistaken but his expression was almost tender.

Setting their baskets down, the men began to dance and sing, the women joining in before, one by one, each of the couples dressed in white buckskin retreated to the shadowy corners of the wigwam after the sun had disappeared for yet another day.

Falcon led Maggie back to the side she had stayed in since their arrival, but led her past her bed to his sleeping quarters, pulling her gently down onto the furs beneath him.

Small Bird rounded up the children, guiding them to her side of the enclosure. She clucked softly as they peered over their shoulder at their mothers, confusion mirrored in their eyes.

Chief Long Knife held out his hand to Adelaide, guiding her to his sleeping quarters, the reality of the situation suddenly hitting her squarely in the face.

This was it.

Chief Long Knife held her hand firmly, striding toward his bed with determination.

Realizing what was about to happen, Adelaide attempted to pull her hand away, but he held her with an iron-like grasp, pulling her down onto the furs.

"I'm married!" Adelaide protested vehemently in the darkness.

Leaning over her, he pulled the furs over their shoulders.

Closing his eyes, Chief Long Knife breathed in her scent. He could not forget Gentle Doe so soon but his mother was correct. They needed to move on, leaving the past behind them. His hand tenderly stroked her arm, his thoughts distant.

The chief believed he could love Adelaide in time, but if he had the choice, his heart needed more time to heal from his loss. He would go through the motions, but his heart was far away, in the hands of his first wife.

It was a shame Adelaide couldn't read her new husband's thoughts as she twisted beneath his weight, wrenching her body away from him. Facing the thatched wall, she held her breath, praying Chief Long Knife would take the hint and leave her alone. She had clearly run out of time to plan their escape.

Sighing, Chief Long Knife laid down on his back beside her. There would be other nights. Clearly, both needed to mourn their losses longer. It was enough that they were bound together as husband and wife.

Surely, now, his mother would be satisfied. He had obeyed her and remarried. Adelaide brought children with her, giving her grandchildren. Before the year was over, they would have a son who would one day be chief regardless of having a pale-faced mother.

Chief Long Knife was fond of Adelaide's children and assumed her husband had died at some point from one of the many plagues the pale faces had brought with them. Little did he know Gavin was at work, having missed the wind that had catapulted his family into the past.

The brawny warrior lay awake long after Adelaide's breathing had slowed, her body twitching in a restless sleep. He reached out, drawing her against his side, protecting her from the night terrors that had come. Only secrets lay between them and the knowledge he was the cause of her horror-filled dreams.

Brushing his lips against her soft hair, he closed his eyes, deciding to leave her alone for now. She would trust him in time. When the nightmares no longer tormented her, then he would show Adelaide he was a good husband. By then, just maybe his heart would be healed as well.