The Cry of the Wolf Chapter 36

Eagle awoke before dawn, Jaira snuggled against his back seeking his body heat. He didn't say a word, rising silently from the ground before walking towards the river. In one fluid motion, he dove beneath the water, the waves flowing over his head.

Jaira awoke just after dawn, chilled to the bone. It didn't help that a layer of dew blanketed her. She could have sworn it had been warmer during the night.

Smoothing back her hair with her fingers, her eyes immediately sought Eagle. He knelt over the fire, water making his skin glisten.

Feeling her eyes on him, he called over his shoulder.

"Wash."

"Where?"

When no answer came, Jaira walked tentatively to the edge of the river, looking down. Kneeling she scooped water into her cupped hands, splashing her face, then shifted, dipping her blistered feet into the cool water. The frigid waves stung her already sensitive toes, causing them to curl. Standing she joined the others around the fire, hunkering down beside Eagle. He looked down at her but said nothing, passing her some fried fish. Yes, Eagle wasn't going to kill her, she was sure of it.

Jaira stayed true to her silent promise, refusing to let Eagle touch her. She concentrated all her attention on the ground ahead of her, trying to keep up with the warrior who no longer paid any attention to her. That was fine. She was a married woman and would never have entertained any untoward thoughts. Why did it bother her if he ignored her? She'd have to examine her heart and then pray on it before bed tonight.

They reached a clearing, soft curls of gray smoke rising from a fort. Eagle glanced back over his shoulder, then halted, waiting until she had caught up.

"So now you notice me," Jaira's thoughts darkened for a moment.

Reaching out, Eagle gripped her wrist, the stick with the four scalps attached in his free hand. Emitting a cry of victory, Eagle led the others, running down the hill, and dragging Jaira behind him.

Settlers pooled out of the entrance, straining to see what the commotion was about.

Suddenly shy, Jaira twisted her wrist in Eagle's vice-like grip in a futile attempt to pull away. Did she honestly expect to run back into the woods? The fort was the safest place to be, surrounded by her own kind.

The English soldiers smiled at Eagle as he waved the pole high above his head. Without a backward glance, he strode forward, fierce confidence in each step until he reached the center of the fort.

"Your woman," Eagle tossed Jaira unceremoniously to the ground before stepping back, leaving the young woman to her fate.

Features ashen, Jaira looked up into her husband's eyes.

"William?"

Cold eyes looked down at her.

"You've caused a lot of trouble. We had to go out of our way looking for you."

"As though I asked to be kidnapped. If it wasn't against God, I never should have come back…

Jaira glanced over at Eagle, grimacing as he traded the fresh scalps for money, the English officer paying him with a smug grin.

"How did you escape?" The tall man with ice-blue eyes turned his attention to her.

She was the only one who had returned after that most unfortunate raid.

"Jacques was taking me back to Quebec when these guys killed him," Jaira motioned to the group of warriors she had traveled with.

"French," Blue Eyes stated the obvious, glancing down at the brown-haired scalps in his hand.

It was easier if there were no names attached to the scalps, but Jaira wouldn't know that.

The man's eyes were so blue they bordered on silver. Cold, hard silver.

Jaira turned her attention back to her husband. His family was French. Of all those present, he would understand.

"We must go back for my sister. She's been kidnapped by the Huron..."

William was no fan of his in-laws and truly couldn't care less what became of them. Huron? That was a whole different matter. The Iroquois despised the Huron. This same tribe had taken Iroquois as well. It was time to retaliate.

The blue-eyed man laughed, his laughter a low rumble much like that of a coming storm.

"Bring me more scalps and I will reward you handsomely," he looked directly at Eagle.

William didn't flinch at the gruesome transaction.

"What will happen to my sister?"

Jaira frowned, regretting bringing up the topic. Surely her sister and the children wouldn't meet such a disastrous end.

The men exchanged looks.

"Your sister will be spared. Can you show us where they are?"

An image of Chief Long Knife slicing the men's hands flashed before her eyes. She wouldn't soon forget the pile of bodies stacked up either. No, this was not about revenge. It was about saving her sister both physically and from likely Hellfire.

"Yes, I believe so..."

William rewarded his wife with a rare smile. She had no idea they were about to make a lot of money.