The Cry of the Wolf Chapter 34

"You must come back to France," the messenger announced abruptly the moment he reached the Brebeuf just outside the clearing.

Brebeuf looked at the dark-skinned people he had grown to love more than he thought was even possible.

"I cannot leave them. Not now. Not in their hour of greatest need. It was our people who brought this disease. We cannot forsake them now."

"I'm afraid it is not a request." The young man wearing buckskin frowned. "It is an order."

Hanging his head in defeat, Brebeuf translated the message into Chief Long Knife's language, approaching the new believer with a boldness he never had before.

"I am called back to France," he waved with flailing arms, "Across the ocean far, far from here..."

Chief Long Knife hid his amusement at the man's bird-like movements, although a twinkle reached the chief's eyes.

"I have been commanded to leave you..." Brebeuf struggled, swallowing tears that welled up within his throat. "Please know this is not my choice. I would gladly live among you, in fact, I would give my life so that more souls would be saved."

Chief Long Knife nodded, acknowledging him, but the tall warrior wasn't given to showing emotion.

"Thank you for what you have done for my people."

And that was it.

Head hanging and shoulders stooped, Brebeuf followed the messenger into the blinding sunlight towards the waiting canoe.

Adelaide and Maggie embraced as they watched Brebeuf disappear from view. Never in their wildest dreams had they expected to love a Catholic this much - a Jesuit no less. Just maybe, Catholics weren't all the same after all.

Brebeuf had left a lasting impact on the village whether or not he was aware of it.

****

"I'd rather die than stay married to that man!" Jaira spat, scowling at Strong Oak, refusing to meet his eyes.

Had she entered the tribe months earlier, her outburst may have just become a reality. Fortunately for her, she had Brebeuf to thank for the transformation that had occurred within the tribe.

Strong Oak wasn't a Christian. Not yet, at least. While more than half of the tribe had converted, mostly for the promise of being given a gun, he was not so easily bought.

"I am dead serious," Jaira's eyes narrowed, "I'd rather be a slave...anything! I don't care what you do to me, just not this."

A muscle clenched in Strong Oak's jaw. Was he such an offensive husband? It was a rare man who would have given her so much freedom. He could very easily have forced her...no, she clearly didn't know how blessed she was. His patience was wearing thin.

"Speak to your sister," Chief Long Knife glanced down at Adelaide.

Dark Star had been challenging as well when she was first taken into the tribe, but not nearly as bad as her sister. Stubbornness must run in the family.

"I've tried," A shadow of sadness lingered in Adelaide's eyes as though she had just read her husband's thoughts, "I told her she needs to accept her fate - it isn't so bad."

Chief Long Knife wasn't sure if he should smile or frown at his wife's words.

"Okay, I know you guys are talking behind my back, so let me make this perfectly clear. I want an annulment. I will never, ever sell my soul. Find some other woman, I really don't care, but you need to leave me alone. I will never be the wife he needs. Adelaide, I understand to an extent, but my word, how easily you gave in! I pray for you, honestly, I do. May God show you mercy..."

Adelaide lowered her head, suddenly ashamed.

Chief Long Knife didn't speak English but didn't like the look of what was transpiring between the two sisters. Regardless, he had much greater matters to attend to than a wife's stubbornness. However, if he banished her from the tribe, she wouldn't last long on her own.

"Leave her," he ended the matter, glancing over at Strong Oak who was once again free to remarry.

They'd never been man and wife anyway and his loyal warrior deserved better than a woman who fought him every night. The tribe needed children to continue and after a week, it didn't look like that was ever going to happen.

This was exactly what Jaira had desired, so why did she suddenly feel so abandoned as the others walked away, including her sister, Adelaide, the only one to cast a backward glance? Was that sorrow in Adelaide's eyes?

She'd been with the tribe far too long. When William came, she'd ask him to rescue Adelaide and the kids. Maybe it wasn't too late for them. As for Strong Oak, she didn't give him a second thought. It was clearly for the best.

****

Adelaide grew melancholy after her sister walked away. There was a finality in their goodbye that she could not shake. Jaira was no longer an email away. This life was very different and the chances of them ever seeing each other were almost non-existent. Had Jaira realized that when she chose to turn her back on the new life offered?

William.

He alone must be the reason Jaira had decided to leave.

Jaira's words had dug deep and, although she was long gone, they stuck in Adelaide's heart. Was she under a curse? Was the love she and Chief Long Knife shared a sin? Unlike William, Gavin was still in the future. Not that it made that much difference, or did it?

Adelaide had no one to confide in. Even sweet Maggie would never be able to understand.

With Brebeuf, the tribe's spiritual leader, gone, they were left as sheep without a shepherd. As new believers, they were at risk of losing their way. Adelaide could step in, after all, she had been raised as a Christian and knew as much as Brebeuf, indeed more, however, she was much too shy.

Maggie sat in the shadows, stroking Wolf's dark hair, "Adelaide, I was thinking...now that Brebeuf is gone, we need to at least teach the children. They should be told Bible stories at least and perhaps we could teach them basic educational lessons as well."

Adelaide smiled, "I was just thinking of Brebeuf. That is a wonderful idea. Elizabeth is fitting in well. She may like to join us..."

Adelaide's thoughts wandered again as she watched Maggie lull her infant to sleep. That all-too-familiar twinge of jealousy squeezed her chest.

Chief Long Knife was a wonderful father to her children, but she longed to give him more - their own baby. What if Jaira was correct? What if, at any moment now, she would return to the future?

Barren, there was nothing keeping her bound to the past - nothing to anchor her to these people. A deep sadness filled her eyes as she looked away. If Jaira was correct, she needed to prepare her mind to face Gavin. How would she explain the passion she and Chief Long Knife shared? Her marriage to Gavin was…

No, she was in no rush to return to Gavin. Never would be too soon, yet there was that very real possibility this could very soon all be nothing more than a dream.

She had no one to confide in. Sweet Maggie couldn't possibly understand. If only Jaira had stayed. Yet, she might not have been able to confide in her sister after all. They held very different views. If only Jaira had given it time. Time would have made her see things differently.